Hot Under the Collar

The BBC2 program is called "Queer As Folk," and was highly controversial. In the American version on Showtime, the young boy was aged up. I considered part of the issue with having Nathan be 15 was that, in the UK at the time, the legal age of consent for heterosexual sex was 16, but 18 for homosexual sex. I thought it was a very political thing to have him be 15, right on the cusp of being legal if he were straight, showing the double standard. The legal age of consent for homosexual sex in the UK has since been matched with the age for heterosexual sex.

I see nothing wrong with being honest about sex with children and teenagers. If they ask, we should be armed with a factual answer. I know others disagree, but I've never really understood why. Children are starting to ask about sex, and it does us no good to ignore their questions and let them figure it out elsewhere, either innocently (although usually incorrectly) from their friends, or not so innocently in the back of someone's car.

The Globe's suggested response seems right on par - it's factual, and doesn't give more detail than is necessary for children.

As for public school, the point I was making, HCL, is that attending public school (or sending your children to public school) is not sinful. I don't base my decisions on such matters on the opinion of Martin Luther. I respect your position on homeschooling, but I still think you've made an extremely unfair and misleading comparison between porn and public schools.

 

No, little children do not go to high school, but they are still children. We are expecting to put our children under the most terrible peer pressure and evil influences, and expect them to overcome.

As for grade school and even younger, children know all about sex and all the filthy language before even getting out of elementary school. The evil is ALL around. I have seen enough to know that it is NOT the place for Christian children (or any children for that matter. ). They are NOT equipped to handle all this! No wonder there are so many children on depression meds, etc and then grow up to start their own dysfunctional homes. Our world is in a wreck. Kids don't hardly have a chance these days.

I am very concerned with the lost children, but to be frank, it ain't my problem. Don't get me wrong, but God told ME to raise MY children. I have got to raise MY children for the Lord. My responsibility is to MY kids, not the masses of children across this world. You don't sacrifice your own child to win other children. If God wanted my children to reach every child, they may as well take the job of youth pastors and children's church workers and missionaries.

As for the actual subject of the thread (lol), my heart aches for our world and these kids that are so taken up in this mess. May God reach their parents and reach the whole family.

Kelly, I do understand what you mean, that it is none of our business what folks do in their own lives, but I just want them to keep it private. Johnv, I understand your point on hetersexual sex too. It is all sin, but this is got to be even worse because it flies in the face of what God intended. It destroys the beauty of what God created.

hsmom3

 

Blackbird, if the reason you would homeschool is purely to "sharpen your arrows", then I applaud you (even though I personally am not up to the challenge of homeschooling, and also I feel I am personally able to sharpen my arrows and have them in public school at the same time). However, homeschooling often (and even in this thread a little) comes across as a type of escapism that I'm really not comfortable with. I agree protecting your children is important, but I guess different parents draw the line at different places.

I have nieces in public school (middle and high school), and they have brought some friends to church, and even to Christ. I hope my kids do the same when they're older, and right now I have them in public school (grade school) forging those friendships. I don't condemn you for your choices, and I hope you don't condemn me for mine.

 

Kelly, I do agree with you here. I do try to answer every question I get from my kids. I just don't volunteer too much information. Sometimes they embarrass me to death.

Although you wasn't talking to me, I hope it's ok if I jump in here. No, I will not go so far as to say that it's sinful to send your kids there, but I am not just going to send my kids there JUST so they can be a light, as some others have suggested. If that was the case, we'd better put them on deputation and get them some funds!

hsmom3

 

StubbornKelly,
I agree that children should be taught these things, but not from the unsaved. They need to be taught by their parents.
The thing that saddens me is that I wonder what it will take for born again Christian parents to realize the dangers of the public school. I know that sometimes parents can't homeschool but most times that is not the case.

What will it take??????

 

Trust me, I am not naive. I realize the dangers, and I deal with them as best I can. Bottom line is I do what I believe is best for my children *overall*. If you disagree, that's fine. But you should not be trying to make "public schoolers" feel guilty or imply they are naive, lazy, or less concerned about their children. I realize you didn't intentionally do that, but that's how homeschooler parents often come across.

 

I appreciate your point. We have no right not to be offended, though, and to say that one group of adults must not show affection for each other in public but another can flies in the face of liberty.

Now, explicit public displays should be avoided by everyone, straight or gay, IMNSHO. I would ask either couple to knock it off, but if we're talking hand holding, hugging, a kiss here and there, well, it's either all adults get to show such affection or none do.

I don't think such displays are 'shoving it down people's throats' or 'rubbing it in people's faces' anymore than a Christian telling a non-Christian about Christ is doing either of those things. So much of the time, when I hear the phrases above and the popular "recruitment," nothing's really happening other than displays of affection or one person conveying romantic interest in another. A person who accepts a date with a person of their sex has not been "recruited." They've been asked out.

 

Wow, nothing like homosexuality to spark the participation. You'd think that was the sin of all sins to most Baptists (and it may be)

Anyway, a few points:

1. We can train our kids, but they can still go their own way. Blackbird, you may sharpen those arrows, but what if one of them turns out gay later? Is that your fault? I think not.

2. I cannot imagine that sexual orientation is a choice. Who would "choose" a lifestyle that will only make them the object of hate and derision? As a heterosexual male, I cannot point to a time I made a decision to be attracted to females. It just happened. I believe it is that way for most gay people, only they find themselves attracted to their own gender at puberty. I am not a biologist, but I have read some research that supports this notion.

3. There are many things that are said to be an abomination to God in the Old Testament, including eating shellfish. Do we rail against Red Lobster?

This kind of paranoia over homosexuals leads ultimately to the kind of hate demonstrated by Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist fame, and his horrible website.

4. There are also parallels in the animal kingdom. Bonobo chimps show heterosexual and homosexual promiscuity, and they do share over 98% of their genetic makeup with Homo Sapiens. No, I am not equating us to chimps, as we have a higher level of understanding and civilization, but facts are facts.

Putting on my flame retardant suit now,

ColoradoFB

 

Hey, Colorado! No flames here.

Homosexuality is a sin, but you don't see other sinners like rapists, murderers or theives asking for civil rights, do you? I do not promote hatred of gays. I never will. It is what they do that is offensive to God that is the problem--but that is between them and God. Not me.

My problem comes from those that want acceptance from everyone for their lifestyle choices. I can't look at a homosexual friend in the eye (and yes, I have them) & tell them that I think what they are doing is just fine.

Are gay people bigger sinners than the rest of us--no way! Before we were saved, we were condemned to death too. If we start rating sins, aren't we falling into the venial vs. the deadly sin trap of the Catholics? I was always told that any sin, no matter how small, separates us from our Heavenly Father.

I guess the problem here is that they want everyone to accept them as normal. I can do that--sin IS the natural state of man, after all. What I can't do is tell them that their sin is acceptable to God. I think that this is where the problem rests. If I am a follower of Christ and apply scripture to my life, I cannot do that. So much for "political correctness."

 

Dr. Bob: I will not ever let my little girl attend public schools, either!

 

Here is an article that better explains why I feel so strongly against having kids in a public school JUST to evangelize. I know it's about Dr. Dobson, and some do not approve of him, but it does express more articulately where I'm coming from.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/126/22.0.html

Please be sure to understand that I'm NOT saying that public schooling is a sin. And I'm not criticizing those who has children there. I know there are good public school systems out there. I'm just saying this is why I disagree to putting kids in public schools JUST to evangelize. We do need to be so aware of what is going on in our schools and our children's lives. It going downhill fast.

hsmom3

 

I've never even heard of anyone putting their kids in public school JUST to evangelize.

Interesting article though, thanks for posting it.

 

I haven't read but the 4th page on this discussion and I see two distinctly different topics being discussed.

In the area of sodomy, I fully agree with what "Blackbird" has said concerning a double-minded man and the reprobate being unable to put on the mind of Christ.

As far as putting my children in public school to "evangelize" that will never happen until I am "made" to place them in the public school system, then I'd have to be unable to put them thru private Christian school due to some unforseen problems at this time.

Evil communications corrupt good manners and if sinners entice thee, consent thou not, are two of the most prevelant scriptures to keep our children within the umbrella of protection provided in our home. It is our duty to reach others for Christ, He working thru us, but not to place our children in harm's way by turning them over to the corrupt public school system under the pretence of evangelizing. I know perfectly well some are in the PSS and have maintained their moral character publickly, but only time will tell of the exposure to the many "facets" of teenage society they may have stored up within themselves. Sin is a nasty little viper that corrupts with it's venom even the most innocent and godly individuals known. Overprotect my kids? You'd better believe I am! God has placed them in my care to look out for the Lord's heritage. It is MY repsonsibility to guide them in the things of God and not turn them over to a system that hates God and is trying everything they can to corrupt our Christian heritage!

I know what it's like to have been raised in public school by my peers, the teachers didn't do it, my parents didn't have time, and just like I said, my peers and I raised each other for the most part!

I've heard the arguement many times before that if our children are saved, then they would be used of the Lord to reach others for Christ. That has been the "guilt-trip" laid on parents for years now because we homeschool our children.

It's not the government's job to teach my children, they don't teach them anything about the Lord, except to the contrary. And what they learn by being exposed to everything there is under the sun CANNOT be for their own good.

What's not in my home now can only come in thru outside influences, so we then are limiting the chances by limiting the negative aspects, so we are not about to invite anything in that will not bring honour and glory to the Lord.

In His Holy Service,

Brother Ricky

 

And the Bible says that Lot, being vexed by what he perceived as wickedness——Peter doesn't actually say "the gay spirit"; that's interpretive paraphrase on your part, blackbird——urged them to have his daughters instead. I think Peter was being a bit creative in his use of the term "righteous".

Haruo

 

Now Blackbird, that's Mississippi preaching!

 

I find it interesting (but sad) that some Christians seem obsessed with ripping apart others. I don't know all the names on your list, but I know that many of them love God and trust in Jesus as their savior. You may not agree with all their views, and you may even dislike them personally, but since when has it become acceptable for unending, public, "heresy hunting" within our own ranks? It seems like there's always some thread on every Christian discussion board about the evils of this or that evangelist, this or that preacher. Countless websites have been constructed for the sole purpose of throwing stones, "exposing" the sins of others. Since when has this become acceptable Christian behavior? None of us are without sin and error, but many sure are quick to point out the sin and error in others!

I'm not saying we should ignore sin and error. Scripture tells us how to deal with people when they sin or commit doctrinal error. Hint: it isn't by publically and repeatedly lambasting them.

I have small children. They often fight, especially if one of them is in the wrong about something. I, as their father, of course don't want them to be wrong, but mostly I wish they would just stop tearing at each other all the time.