Numerous organizations are gearing up to do battle over the platform in which to influence your children. The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is sponsoring the Day of Silence, which according to its website brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Each year the event has grown, now with hundreds of thousands of students coming together to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior. If that was all they did I wouldn’t have a problem with promoting it. None whatsoever. Why? Kids do get harassed and bullied. Beaten. Abused. And, as a human being, more so as a Christian, I have a huge problem with ANY child being mistreated for ANY reason. Christians should be the first ones to oppose such abuse of children.
Like I said, GLSEN doesn’t just stand up on behalf of the kids being bullied, though. They go way too far in their definition of “hatred” and “bullying”. They would consider a differing opinion – for instance, an opinion that includes loving a person but disagreeing with homosexuality, as hateful or anti-gay. Ironically, my gay friends don’t think of me as anti-gay, even though I believe that homosexuality is a sin. So, while the need for a day to stand up for kids in this way is necessary, I don’t think Christians can support GLSEN’s efforts for the reason I stated.
Enter Day of Truth (DoT) the school day immediately before the Day of Silence. DoT was founded by the Alliance Defense Fund as a way to encourage kids to speak up about their biblically based beliefs about homosexuality, without fear of being intimidated. DoT also has a bridging and evangelistic component, recognizing that simply stating the truth of scripture doesn’t always lend itself to dialogue or developing relationship. Since Exodus International became a partner with DoT and as we officially take the reigns completely this year from ADF, we want to be sure to stand up for gay and lesbian students who are in need of allies. The fact is that everyone has a right to decide for themselves where they will land on the biblical debate over homosexual behavior, but there should never be a debate over whether a Bible-believing Christian should be a friend to a gay or lesbian student.
My friend Warren Throckmorton started the Golden Rule program 3 years ago to bring a balanced response to the table. He saw the need for Christians to do what scripture mandates in the Golden Rule….”do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Perfect. Almost. I think Warren is right on the money with this, but he unfairly and wrongly characterizes DoT as simply a program aimed at telling people that homosexuality is a sin. I can’t speak for anyone but Exodus when I say that isn’t the mission at all.
Day of Truth isn’t about rhetoric or more raised voices trying to win an argument. DoT is an opportunity for Christian kids to put their faith into action and share their heart on a subject as well as their heart for people. As a kid who battled silently with same-sex attractions when I was in school and was teased mercilessly because everyone perceived as much, I was desperate for someone to stand up for me, befriend me and help me. For gay-identified kids as well as kids who choose not to identify as gay because of their faith, there is a huge need for support and refuge.
While I understand the vow of silence, I don’t think silence is the answer to a problem we must talk about. We can agree to disagree on the roots and legitimacy of homosexuality and stand together in solidarity for kids in need. I know many from the ultra-conservative side of this debate will call me a moderate at best. Some will call me something worse. On the extreme pro-gay side I will be portrayed, as I always am – a hateful person whose biblical position is hateful, even though my rhetoric is softer than others.
Well, frankly, I don’t want to work with extremists on either side. I want to help kids. Regardless of what I believe about scripture and regardless of whether or not you agree or disagree with me doesn’t mean that we can’t work together to help a child. If I stand between a hostile bully and shield a child being bullied then I still helped. Right? Right. The kid getting bullied might or might not care or ask for my opinions on homosexuality. I don’t even have to share them. But, I do have to help kids in need. And, that is why Exodus adopted the Day of Truth. So we can have conversations when they are welcomed and help kids who need help.
No doubt DoT will continue to evolve. I honestly believe we need more than a Day of Truth; we need an equal amount of grace. And, to be sure, I agree that we need to operate under the Golden Rule. Warren sure is on to something straight out of God’s heart there. But, kids who want to know how to share their biblical beliefs need to be trained to do that with great care and compassion.
Maybe next year there can be more common ground and linking arms to support kids. I believe there is common ground to be had. At least all 3 groups are resolute in their support of kids who need someone to stand up for them.
About Alan Chambers
Alan, I probably don’t have to tell you my heart aligns with yours on this. We all need to take care to examine the full range of issues and, most importantly, God’s heart through His word and prayer. There is a correct response to a young person’s confusion and unfair characterization by a short-sighted, selfish bully that reflects THE truth, not just a relative truth.
We now live in a world where media-driven sentiment (of either extreme) is more of a given than in any previous time. There’s a pro and a con to that. Letting our kids be a positive force in action can speak far louder than all the media drivel combined.
My 2 cents.
I sure wish day of truth was around when I was in High school.