Further to our earlier story , the subject of children’s books that deal with homosexuality is a very hot topic these days.
Here’s an article on the subject from Florida Baptist Witness (“Publishing Good News since 1884”), which more or less concludes that children shouldn’t be exposed to what is viewed as ‘alternative lifestyles’ at such a tender age.
According to the article (no author is credited), “Homosexual groups promote their agenda in other ways as well. Teachers friendly to the homosexual movement often place inverted pink triangles in their classroom, identifying their room as a “safe zone” for homosexuals. In addition, each year GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a national homosexual activist organization) sponsors the “Day of Silence” , a day when thousands of students nationwide take a vow of silence to protest what they see as discrimination against homosexuals.”
The article continues, “This year the Alliance Defense Fund (who describe themselves as “a pro-family legal organization”) countered with the “Day of Truth” , allowing Christian students to stand up for their beliefs. Participants wore T-shirts stating, “The Truth Cannot Be Silenced” and passed out cards expressing their viewpoint. It was held the day after the Day of Silence” (last April).
Why Always Same People Singled?
Thanks Birdie. I think we’ve covered southern rednecks and Baptists. Can we expect viewpoints from the following about their children and homosexuality?
Islam
Buddhism and Judaism.
Re:Why Always Same People Singled?
You find and submit the story, I’ll post it.
From the Jewish point of view (i.e., as a Jew, however not observant), there are both extremely observant Jews (many but not all Orthodox and probably all Hasidic Jews) who don’t condone homosexuality (but they don’t send their kids to public schools either).
Most Jews in the US are Reform and Conservative (which doesn’t necessarily mean ‘conservative’ in a political sense, it just means a strong belief in Jewish tradition), and I think it’s fair to say that this majority of Jews is extremely tolerant and welcoming of homosexuals to the fold, not to mention having all their children learn about a variety of lifestyles and choices.
Hmm
I neither support gay marriage nor am I against it. I have been divorced and welcome all sexual orientations to suffer the same event. Regardless of propaganda by both sides I still think that 10% of people are born with homo rather than hetero orientations, and 90% of those who have a gay lifestyle are not in fact gay by birth.
IMHO those 90% are draw to the lifestyle by the higher level of promiscuity and the fact that it is easier to have a relationship with someone of the same sex.
Unless of course they are harmed by plastics.. http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/05/27/plast ics_and_boys/index_np.html
Re:Hmm
I do agree that there may be a larger than realized number of people who are attracted to the homosexual lifestyle for reasons other than genetics. I don’t agree that it is easier to have a relationship with someone of the same sex. How could it be? Many people have to keep it secret, or be very cautious with whom they share their preferences. Think about the added stress on a relationship by knowing that there are many people in the world who hate you simply because of who you love. Now, I am not gay. I have know many gay people many of whom are in long-term relationships and have a pretty traditional view of love. The only non-traditional thing is who they love.
Re:Hmm
As someone with many, many gay friends and acquaintances, I have to say that none of them seem to have chosen to be gay because of the “attractive” lifestyle. That just seems absurd to me. These people are what they are and they try to deal with it the best they can, often having to overcome feelings of societal alienation and having to work hard to find self-acceptance. Also, being a married heterosexual, I’ve never thought it would be “easier” to have a romantic/sexual realtionship with a woman. In fact, most gay people I know would say that it’s easier in the sense that it’s more socially acceptable to have a relationship with someone of the opposite sex.
Re:Why Always Same People Singled?
…because they seem to be the most outspoken about it, and they seem to go to the most trouble (in the U.S.) to try to control others based on their religious beliefs.
Here’s an article on the subject from Florida Baptist Witness (“Publishing Good News since 1884”), which more or less concludes that children shouldn’t be exposed to what is viewed as ‘alternative lifestyles’ at such a tender age.
I learned about the Bedouins in 1st grade, and being a nomadic desert-dweller is definitely an alternative lifestyle to what most people experience. It didn’t make me want to be a Bedouin!! 🙂
Re:Hmm
Might be where you live. If you live in a tiny little queer mecca, as I do, it’s honestly trendy to be queer here, especially if you’re a woman. Both my geographical and online communities give intense support for people experimenting with and settling into non-heterosexuality, and I honestly don’t believe I know one person besides my 93-year-old Orthodox grandmother who’d give me anything other than loving support if I lived with a woman. Especially if I had kids and raised them as Jews. *g*
Re:Why Always Same People Singled?
…because they seem to be the most outspoken about it, and they seem to go to the most trouble (in the U.S.) to try to control others based on their religious beliefs.
Yes it does seem so.
LISNews has never been exclusive to American library types. At least to my understanding. But we do see a pattern of self-imposing this restriction when posting stories that implicitly infer a “phobia” or “ism” upon certain religious and geographic groups of Americans around here.
The truth is that homosexuality is a global issue, not peculiar to Dixie and of a much more bitter flavor in places like: Afghanistan Algeria, China, Bosnia Senegal, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guyana, Lebanon,Iran Jordan, Kuwait, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Libya, Syria, India, Malaysia, Jamaica,Saudi Arabia, Uganda….
Tampa Christians Against Gay Pride in Libraries– us-all/
Well, maybe because Tampa Christians just passed a resolution agaisnt GAYs in Tampa. Here is a blogger viewpoint:
http://blogwood.com/archived/1216/storms-protects
Re:Hmm
Stuff and nonsense. The only “studies” showing a higher incidence of promiscuity among homosexuals is by the intolerant to begin with. I’ll start to give such studies credibility when reputable researchers start comparing homosexual promiscuity with heterosexual promiscuity. Five bucks says the rates will match up or are a near match.
Re:Tampa Christians Against Gay Pride in Libraries
Please don’t misconstrue. I have no delusions about dissuading anyone here of their own personal prejudices, however myopic they may be. Hold fast and keep silent, truth be damned.
But one would think, assuming we ascribe equal intelligence, that gay, middle-eastern men would be considering this WASP factor before applying for asylum in the United States.
If interested, “Escaping Abuse Overseas” (Advocate, 5/24/05)
Re:Why Always Same People Singled?
Or maybe it’s just fun to pick on them–especially when, like me, you live in the South in the heart of the Bible Belt and are surrounded by people like them who openly ask strangers if they know Jesus, etc…. Heh heh.
Tome girl or boy-Against Gay Pride in Libraries .. it iscowardly.
Distract if you wish. It is my right to detest tomegirlorboy’s hatred of others, and her/his doing so with a white hood as an anonymous person undercuts anything s/he says
Re:Why Always Same People Singled?
Exlibris I like you. You’re honest and probably a pretty cool “cat” to boot!