A Christian teacher in Tennessee claims his job was threatened and he was reassigned to a different position after his refusal to read a book with LGBTQ+ characters to his class of first graders.
Eric Rivera, an instructor at KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary in Nashville, says that he requested a religious accommodation to skip reading “Stella Brings the Family” in class, the story of a girl who is concerned about how to celebrate Mother’s Day because she has two dads.
“I refused to read a book that had two fathers on the cover and one daughter,” Rivera claimed. “I believe that that is not what God designed a marriage to be in a family to be.”
Rivera says his request was initially granted, and another instructor read the book to his students instead. But he was later called into the principal’s office, where he was given a warning, and told to teach future LGBTQ+ lessons – or else.
Now, Rivera’s case is opening dialogue about just how far religious exemptions should go when it comes to the workplace. Should Christian teachers be exempt from teaching about the LGBTQ+ community, even if those lessons are part of their job?
Religious Reprisal?
After refusing to teach the LGBTQ+ language arts lesson, Rivera was moved to a technology role for a period. And though he’s now back in a role teaching, Rivera says he still worries about faith-based reprisal.
“I still have the fear in me that I could lose my job for anything that I do based on my religious beliefs,” Rivera says.
As a result, Rivera has enlisted conservative religious watchdog group First Liberty Institute to ensure that the school "accommodates" his religious practices without discrimination.
“Requiring a teacher to violate their religious beliefs in order to keep their job is blatant discrimination that violates the Civil Rights Act,” explains Cliff Martin, senior counsel at First Liberty Institute.
“Our client cares deeply about his students and simply has a religious objection to teaching certain lessons and asked for a simple religious accommodation… The school has sent the message that anyone who has a traditional view of marriage is unfit to teach first grade.”
Where is the Line Drawn?
Rivera’s case underscores a tension playing out in schools and workplaces across the country: how to balance sincerely held religious beliefs with institutional policies designed to create inclusive environments.
Last fall, also in Tennessee, controversy broke out after a football coach was removed from his position for praying on the field with his players.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable religious accommodations, so long as doing so does not create an undue hardship. But what qualifies as “reasonable,” and who decides when a line has been crossed?
As disputes like this unfold, it raises broader questions that extend beyond one classroom in Tennessee.
How far should religious accommodations go in public or public-facing workplaces? At what point does accommodation become conflict? And how should schools balance the rights of educators with the expectations of families and students?
124 comments
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Patrick M Persinger
So, if I work at a Christian school and choose not to teach the Christian stuff based on my religious beliefs, that's cool with y'all, right? Because that's what you're saying, if you are not good at pattern recognition.
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James Richard Munro
Yes, It
s a religious issue, but more important, its a morality issue. This type of perversion is way out of control. LGBTQ has no place in society. Its only the perverts that are pushing it. Rev.Jim-
Rev. Kev
Perversion, like so many things in life, is in the eye of the beholder. Each person has the right to decide what's "perverted" in their view. Each person has the right to live their lives in accordance with their personal views.
And none of them have the right to tell everyone else in any given society that all must live according to their subjective opinions. I don't tell others they must follow my views and I don't want them to do the same to me.
A good test of a moral view is to imagine you are transported to a world exactly like this one. But you have absolutely no choice as to what country you are sent. What race. What gender. What social or economic status. You could end up even being a homosexual in this new life. Now ask yourself how you want to be treated and what sort of society you want to live in.
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Rev. B.D. Rees
OK.... Let me get this straight (to use the term loosely..) He wants an accomodation from teaching anything about non-traditional families because of his Religious belief?? BULLS__T!! When he or anyone becomes a licensed Public school teacher they accept along with the terrible salary, that they are in a secular situation teaching children of all Religious backgrounds and beliefs! That is the FIRST thing they should realize... The SECOND thing one must not bring with them in their toolbox is, their Religious beliefs and planning on imposing them upon the children they teach, indoctrination from a Religion not of their own would be very confusing and I might add illegal prostulation within a Public school system!! For example: Imposing a Religious philosophy of Evangelical thought upon a child who is being brought up as a Muslim might not make their parents very happy with you.... Nor, a child that is being brought up by two dad's with a more liberal thought of Christianity, well.... you see where this is going! So, my point is.... DON'T ACCEPT A POSITION WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IF YOU THINK YOUR RELIGION WILL GET IN THE WAY!!!
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Rev. BH
Rev Rees, I'm not sure LGBTQ+ variances is a religious issue. Rather, its a sexual one. One's sexual orientation is not prohibitive to what church they may choose to attend, or what god they may worship. It's about who they choose to sleep with (or not). And that's no one's business but their own.
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Paul Andrew Breda
Uh, why not just quietly accommodate the guy? Really, we need to make everything a conflict?
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Rev. Kev
The article says they did work to accommodate him. Which meant having another instructor take the class just to read from that book. Which can end up being unsustainable over the long haul due to staffing or scheduling issues. As it is, many schools already have teacher shortages. It appears he was informed he could no longer be accommodated and had to simply read a book dealing with an issue that sometimes faces actual students.
The teacher decided to make it a larger issue by bringing in First Liberty Institute. Which seems like stirring the pot on his part. Especially since the story in the book never required him to change his personal lifestyle nor make some oath or promise to live or promote an agenda that would cause him to think, believe, or act any differently.
He wanted several people to adjust schedules to fit his unspecified beliefs (other than perhaps "gay things are icky to me") when he could have more easily dealt with the fact that such people and issues exist and move on. No one expected him to quit his beliefs or his church and join the Secret LGBTQ Cabal (Even though I hear they have cool secret decoder rings and a spiffy monthly newsletter. Not to mention they throw great parties).
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Jessica Forbes
For being Christian would it be ok to describe to the class this is a book of untraditional setting. Your personal values align differently from this book but in all manners stay professional and don't exclude by judging. That's not Christian either.
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Lawyer John
Allow him to opt out just like a kid's parents can opt their child out. Some other person could read the story to the kids.
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Jannetje Eleanore Van Went
When he decided to become a teacher he took on the role of teaching all the children who come into his class...this is what teaching is all about. If he wanted Catholic logic why not teach in a Catholic school or a monastery, where his insecurities about words changing or harming him don't exist. If he were challenged by the God of his faith about being more open, he would loose, and this may just be God's challenge to change. We don't decide fate we walk bravely through it, why do these people keep acting so devout without the spirit of the words they hold above others, there are so many biblical quotes that support change and open minds as God's will and our direction is to follow God and have fate that the God will handle the rest...where is Kevin Bacon and foot loose we need a revival of biblical quotes that challenge oppression done by leaders of organized positions that over ride the truth, if it happens here we are supposed to believe and support the idea God willed it to happen, we walk through trusting our Gods.
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Rev. Carol M Anaski-Figurski
Interesting article, I think first grade is not age appropriate for this lesson perhaps 4th or 5th grade is. With all the unfunding going on of gay health & transgender not even being able to access the suicide hotline. It poses more problems at such a younger age. Be respectful & kind its still debatable whether its genetic or learned behavior.
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Leslie A. Hulberg Née Tomasura
I believe it is his job to teach children. If he is not willing to teach the subject matter, he should find a class with a subject he is comfortable teaching.
People are diverse. It is not right that the students are not given that insight in their youth so that they may make their own decisions as adults. If you are not taught that two and two is four, how can you accept that in adulthood? As children, we should all be taught that it is okay to be different and that we should not discriminate against others regardless of their race, religion or sexual preference. Martin Luther King had it right when he said that one day he hoped his daughters would be judged on the quality of their character and not the color of their skin.
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Jay J Rodriguez
God wants us to fight, injustice and Satan.
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Travis A. Lee
Keep RELIGION out of Schools. ALL RELIGIONS. As with other jobs, once Someone walks through that door to EARN MONEY that EVERYONE is PAYING them for, their opinions, their Beliefs, ALL OF IT STOPS AT THE DOOR! A Teacher is paid for ONE thing, passing on the Knowledge that THEY went to School for. They are NOT there to discipline or recruit ANY Child/Teen for ANY REASON, other than Scholastic, like knowing the student will do good in debate class or some sort of SCHOOL related Activity. Anything else AFTER the Class is DIFFERENT.
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Stella L. Wright
Admittedly, I haven't read the book, but it isn't necessary to make a point about children whose parents are different - whatever the difference. Have you noticed that our innocent children seem to always work things out without being prodded? It's not just about homosexuality, it's also about children whose parents are disabled, or two different races, or poor, or rich, or whatever. Children are naturally loving and sweet, until taught to be hateful or bigoted.
Teach children their ABCs, Reading, Math, etc., and leave your beliefs out of it.
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Shayna M Walker
Students - CHILDREN - have a right to see themselves represented in the texts and images we use in the classroom. That includes, as you said, students whose parents are disabled, of a variety of ethnicities, rich, poor, and yes, LGBTQIA+. Representation matters. I taught in an inner city school for 15+ years, where the great majority (98% at my school) of the students were Black, yet almost the entire collection of books that came with my classroom featured characters who were predominantly white. I worked hard and spent my own money to keep adding books featuring a more representative collection of characters. Students, KINDERGARTEN students, noticed and loved it, seeing people that "looked like them" in books, some for the first time.
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Cam Kirmser
I taught high school physics, so this sort of thing would never have come for me. But, I believe no one should be forced to teach what is outside their beliefs. They need to teach somewhere else, then.
However, that being said, because the school in question had a "religious accommodation" policy, then that puts the hook on them. They would have to follow their established policies.
I agree with the teacher, though. It is not natural to have "two dads." A child only has ONE "dad." But, if one is going to teach in a secular system, then one may be called on to do something in opposition to one's beliefs - unless there is a "religious accommodation" policy on the part of the school.
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Rev. Kev
The question becomes what is "natural"? There are cultures with very different family systems. From the women of a group sharing duties on raising the children of all families (both human and other animal groups do this) to the biological father having very little contact with his children, and the mother taking the children to be raised in her ancestral family home group (an indigenous culture in China has this model going back millennia). Some family models are matriarchal with more than one husband. Some are patriarchal and having more than one wife. There are people who look at our so-called family groups as odd and unhealthy.
Just because we have developed a particular model over time, that doesn't mean it is the only correct one, let alone the only "natural" one. Or the best one.
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Tami Tabone
The way I see it, is as long as it is age appropriate and simply teaching the children that some kiddos have 2 moms or 2 dads, I don't see where that violates a religious belief. It may hit home for folks who have prejudices against the LBTQ+ community. But if you are working as a teacher, you must keep biases and prejudices to yourself. Personally, I don't get how teaching children to embrace everyone and care about everyone on an equal basis goes against any religion. But in the real world, this is what children will see. There will be kids with 2 moms and 2 dads. And we don't want 5o shun those kids. We don't want to act like it is a big secret or wrong. It includes those kids who do have same sex parents.
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Jim Rosenberg
Silly nonsense, books like that don't belong in early grades. Why the hell can't we just let little kids be little kids?
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Nathaniel Frye-Jones
Do first graders with same-sex parents not belong in school then? This argument is silly nonsense. Kids are being kids. Some of them have two dads or two moms, and trying to shame them and/or to make other kids with hetero parents ignore that their classmate has two dads/moms is what pulls them out of “just being kids.”
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James Richard Munro
No, they do belong in schools. They do NOT belong with as you said, same sex parents. The kids should not be ashamed of the situation that the perverts have put them in. Rev Jim.
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Michael Hunt
You should be ashamed of the bigotry you hold towards homosexual couples. Why do you believe that a heterosexual couple can kiss in public without considering them perverts while the fact that same-sex couples exist makes them perverts. There's zero critical thinking going on if that's what you believe.
Homosexuals have existed forever and will continue to exist forever even as people like you try to shove them into the closet and demonize them for who they love.
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Pastor Bobby Roy
Romans 14:23 — “Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (If a Christian believes something is morally wrong, they cannot participate in it in good conscience.)
Acts 5:29 — “We must obey God rather than men.” (When human authority demands something that violates God’s commands.)
Daniel 1:8 — Daniel “resolved not to defile himself” and respectfully requested an accommodation. (This is exactly what the teacher did.)
Colossians 3:23 — Work “as unto the Lord.”
1 Peter 2:17 — “Show proper respect to everyone.”
Matthew 22:39 — “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
1 Peter 3:15 — Give your reasons “with gentleness and respect.”
Colossians 4:6 — Speech should be “gracious.”
So a Christian teacher:
Must not mistreat LGBTQ+ students
Must not speak hatefully
Must not shame or attack anyone
But loving someone does not require affirming everything they believe or do.
Biblically, love and agreement are not the same thing.
In short the teacher did nothing wrong and there is plenty more biblical verses to back his decision where anyone think the teacher is right or wrong he has to sleep with his self at night and answer to god in the end peace and prayers be with every one
God Bless Reverend Bobby Roy
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Pastor Bobby Roy
Romans 14:23 — “Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (If a Christian believes something is morally wrong, they cannot participate in it in good conscience.)
Acts 5:29 — “We must obey God rather than men.” (When human authority demands something that violates God’s commands.)
Daniel 1:8 — Daniel “resolved not to defile himself” and respectfully requested an accommodation. (This is exactly what the teacher did.)
Colossians 3:23 — Work “as unto the Lord.”
1 Peter 2:17 — “Show proper respect to everyone.”
Matthew 22:39 — “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
1 Peter 3:15 — Give your reasons “with gentleness and respect.”
Colossians 4:6 — Speech should be “gracious.”
So a Christian teacher:
Must not mistreat LGBTQ+ students
Must not speak hatefully
Must not shame or attack anyone
But loving someone does not require affirming everything they believe or do.
Biblically, love and agreement are not the same thing.
In short the teacher did nothing wrong and there is plenty more biblical verses to back his decision where anyone think the teacher is right or wrong he has to sleep with his self at night and answer to god in the end peace and prayers be with every one
God Bless Reverend Bobby Roy
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Dannielle Courchene
Public Commentary in Support of the Teacher
This case concerns coercion and compelled speech.
Federal law under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires employers to provide reasonable religious accommodations unless doing so creates an undue hardship. In Groff v. DeJoy, the Supreme Court made clear that “undue hardship” requires substantial difficulty or cost rather than minor inconvenience.
What penalties and humiliations did this teacher experience as a result of this coercion against his will?
In this situation, another teacher was available to read the book. The curriculum was delivered. Students were not denied instruction. Accommodation was therefore possible.
Instead of honoring that accommodation, the school warned the teacher that he must personally teach similar lessons or face consequences. When a school compels an individual to personally deliver a message that conflicts with his faith, especially when an alternative exists, this raises *serious constitutional concerns.
The First Amendment protects against compelled speech. In West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, the Supreme Court held that the government cannot force individuals to affirm beliefs they do not hold. In 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, the Court reaffirmed that the state cannot compel expressive conduct that violates conscience.
This teacher showed no hostility toward anyone’s identity. Public institutions must prioritize rights over philosophy. Many Americans, religious and non religious alike, believe that marriage and family are defined in specific ways. They are entitled to hold that belief without being forced to personally promote views they do not share.
Sexual orientation receives protection from discrimination under federal law, including under Bostock v. Clayton County. Religious belief also receives protection. A pluralistic society must protect both rather than elevate one while suppressing the other.
When accommodation is available yet rejected in favor of compelled participation, it resembles coercion.
The issue concerns whether true pluralism allows space for conscience. What occurred was coercion and subjugation, a forcing of a teacher to submit to the beliefs of the school.
The school ultimately declined to accommodate the teacher’s free speech or religious rights and instead prioritized institutional messaging over individual conscience protections. Many people hold particular views on marriage and family, and in a diverse society, space must remain for principled disagreement.
As an anti trafficking advocate, I support protecting children from exploitation and grooming and ensuring that serious criminal issues remain the focus of public concern, including human trafficking within the spheres of LGBT where revenge pornography and pornography of children has thrived.
Now this teacher faces public scrutiny, shaming, humiliation, political attacks, and potential harassment. This situation could have been mitigated and resolved within the local community rather than publicized, yet events unfolded in a way that further exemplifies coercion and force.
No one should face punishment or coercion to adhere to a philosophy they do not believe in. In this case, he would have been required to teach it to children. Many religious individuals disagree with LGBT philosophy, while still supporting individual rights. Disagreement does not equal discrimination. Free speech also protects scrutiny, as it should. Compelling someone to teach a philosophy that conflicts with their religion and beliefs violates conscience. The Constitution protects individual thought and freedom.
~US www.unionofsaints.world
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Jonny Trotter
As a Pastor, Minister of over 40 years , a person of Faith that lives by his or her rules of their Faiths beliefs should NOT be force to do things that are not in their realm of beliefs, they should be able to excuse themselves from the duty in a respectful way, be assigned another duty until the other detail is complete. I would have sent a letter to all first grade parents asking who would accept the reading of the book to their child and who would not. Then in separate settings 1. The assembly hall 2. Library. One area reading the Lesbian, Gay and Transvestites community book and the other area reading another. Both areas having students ask questions and make a book report. We are here to grow our children not to dictate as we aren't the parent.
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Walter Abington
When you work with the public you are agreeing to deal with the public secularly. Can’t handle it? Go to a private school you are not wanted in public school.
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Jonny Trotter
I can't believe this, you all sound like Hitler ,Stalin, why must a person bend their beliefs because the work in the secular area in life. You don't seem to have bent any, don't you think there was another teacher in that school that would have had no problem reading that book? Work together , don't imprison the man for his beliefs, make him do something that would turn the man against his superiors, to build distaste in his job, Maybe Your God isn't speaking the same language mine speaks to me
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Michael Hunt
He's not being imprisoned... He was repremanded for not doing his job. He can go home and practice his faith as he sees fit, but by refusing to do his job due to his religious beliefs, he's then imposing his beliefs on his students. He's passing on the message that it's wrong to be homosexual.
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Tom Herman
It always amazed me what little tolerance these so called religious zealots have for anything outside of their narrow view of the world. The world we live in has become more open. Children are going to be exposed to a wide variety of differences in family dynamics. A teacher's job is to teach, regardless of their own bigotry. If they cannot then they should find another profession.
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Jonny Trotter
You sir are the bigot, if you fail to see if something violates a person's beliefs they should just throw their beliefs to the wind just to do as you say. There are always a remedy to all things. Work with one another don't force someone to work outside their own religious beliefs.
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Rev. Kev
"Religious freedom" in the U.S. often seems to mean something more like "My Christian rights above all else". It's not like the book is doing anything other than examining a very real-life aspect of modern life. It's a thing. It hurts no one. So get over it. If the man is so religious that talking about a part of reality he doesn't like is so personally offensive then he is free to find a place where he can keep his head buried deeply in the sand. Maybe even still make a salary supported by the tax dollars of local citizens who are very likely not all Christian, or straight.
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Jonny Trotter
So modern life means? That Teacher gives up his Christian upbringing beliefs of his modern life in the time he grew up in. Seems one sided to me. Couldn't another teacher have read that book to a class of children????????? Or is modern life so set in it ways we must do or else. You all seem to be the judging minority in this instant.. Your way or the highway. So many hypocrites judging what they say are peers or even anyone. Work with judge not unless you judge yourself.
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Rev. Kev
You appear to have read words in my comment I did not write.
"Modern life" means life in the current time. Circumstances faced in real life in the current world.
I never advocated anyone give up their beliefs. The teacher is entitled to hold whatever beliefs he wants. At the same time, he can't expect everyone else to bow to his beliefs if he cannot effectively do an assigned job. Either do the entire job or stop whinging about persecution and get a different job. Either in the school system or teaching at a parochial school more suited to his religious preferences. He has choices. So it's not "my way or the highway." THAT slogan better describes his views here.
Don't forget he is employed at a public school funded by tax dollars. There is no built-in expectation of religious standards for a particular denomination, or subset of one. He is dealing with students who most likely already know about the existence of LGBTQ people. Some may belong to such families.
You wrote: "You all seem to be the judging minority in this instant." I have no ide what that's supposed to mean. What minority? What judging??
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Roy S. Thorpe
If the curriculum had been approved by school board, then as a teacher you have to teach it! Employees who accept employment with a company must follow the company guidelines or be dismissed! If you dont like the company then leave! If the company changes after you are employed then again you are free to leave if you don't what they are doing!
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Richard David Atwood
Any so called "teacher" that try's to teach queer garbage in any classroom, should first be fired, and second have they're teaching license revoked, and if they are teaching it to kids in grade school, they should be charged with child pornography. School is the place to learn reading, writing and arithmetic. Home economics, how to balance a check book, how to budget for their expenses. Basic skills that help a person get through life with dignity. Teaching them how to be degenerates doesn't fit into any form of common sense. But then, I can tell from some of the comments, that common sense isn't very common any more.
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Michael Hunt
How is a book about a child having two dads child pornography? It doesn't teach degeneracy, it teaches acceptance of a non-traditional family. You can teach this along with all of the other things you listed as belonging to a school. This is basic common sense.
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Rev. B.D. Rees
I have read the comments so far and have been appauled at some of your attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community. All of you that are against reading a book about the Gay community in school citing what YOUR Bible is supposed to say about us is simply put..... CRAP!! You all who call us "Abominations" are citing Leviticus in your Bible of which is NOT written by God but, indeed written by MAN who happened to have had this predjudice against the Love two individuals may have had for each other.... God nor Christ for that matter NEVER said one word against a Gay man or woman!! The passages in Leviticus or the letters Paul wrote are the opinions of MAN.... you really need to realize that you know!! Man wrote your Bible..... NOT GOD!! The Bible is a good book however, IT IS NOT THE ONLY BOOK!! There is the writings of Budda, the teachings of Mohammed, and on and on..... Christians think that they are the definitive answer for the word definition "Religion"... You ARE NOT, and you really need to realize that! There are indeed many children in the K-4 schools that have two dad's or two mom's and books about this kind of family structure helps children realize that in the real world these types of families exist and are normal core families to some of us. Sorry that your Bigotry can't get your brain around some of that thinking, however, if you don't want your kids exposed to such teaching or if you as a teacher just can't bring yourself to read these books to your class then maybe you need to teach at a Religious school or send your kids to the school that teaches such Bigotry about others according to your book of Hatred!! The Bible I have read and go by are the Teachings of Christ and he according to the New testament Never said anything about "Two Dad's or Two Mom's"...... He instead said to "LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU"... Think about it!!
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Susan Mary Sciara
Is it really an LGBT lesson or helping children understand there are a variety of different family compositions? If this is part of an LGBT curriculum then it is not age appropriate. If it is part of curriculum about different families makeups such as traditional man - woman-children,families where there are racial differences among parents or children, grandparents serving as parents, adoption and so on, then it is appropriate in that context.
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Dorothy Hawkins
At the first grade level, I would hope teachers are teaching kids that families come in all different kinds - and cover many situations - not just the two dads.
At first grade, children can tell there are differences - but it's the adults who make such a big deal about the specifics. Sometimes, kids are in foster care, inter-generational households with grandparents taking the parental role, adopted, etc.
With all the books available in the world, you would think that at least ONE would be covering different types of households that exist in a general way for first graders.
Dorothy Hawkins ULC Minister Retired educator K-8
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Steven Ferrell
That garbage has no place in first grade classrooms. Stop polluting small children’s minds with that stuff. The public school systems cannot teach the Bible or abstinence, but can teach and promote sin to first graders and can force teachers to teach that sin is fine.
Do the parents know what type of stuff that school system is pushing on their children? I bet the parents have no clue.-
Joseph Saffomilla
Exactly! This is why the past administration was targeting conservative parents at school board meetings. Anyone who was not going along with this agenda and tried to voice their opinion to school boards that were elected and paid for by those same people was called a terrorist and harassed by the feds. I would not want my first grader hearing about this nonsense. They will be exposed to it soon enough, and it is the parents' job to explain it to them, not some indoctrinated liberal teacher.
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Michael Hunt
If parents don't want their children taught to be accepting to homosexuals because they believe it is a "sin," they should send them to a Christian school. Public schools are, by nature, an amalgam of the different beliefs and cultures in the community, and denying the existence of the LGBTQ+ community is to deny the reality that they exist in society.
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Pastor Robert Navy Jr
He was standing his ground, Let's take a look a (Lev. 18:22).
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Jonny Trotter
Yes, he was standing his ground, his beliefs, Thank God, I thought I was the only one standing up for the teacher. He was just not wanting to bend his beliefs to grant someone else's. Another teacher could have read that book. Work together, not apart. Thank You Pastor R. Navy jr. I'm glad I saw your post. Rev. Jon Trotter D.D. ordained over 40 years
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Robert Paye
It is a shame that those who called themselves believers in Christ would speak against one who stands up for the gospel. Anyone who believes this abomination should be thought in school is not truly a Christian and have little to no understanding of the scripture. Sin is sin, and there is no human law that change that. So, before you persecute someone for refusing to teach the leaders of tomorrow something that the scripture says is wrong, ask yourself if you believe the scripture. The world can condemn his stance because they do not know Christ; not you. I pray that you get to know Him whom you called Lord. May God's grace keep you from falling and lead you in the path of righteousness. Amen!
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Jonny Trotter
Amen.....is all I can say!!!!! Rev. Jon Trotter D.D
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John R Liming
When I was a kid in school...(1944-1956) Our teachers were allowed to read Bible and Bible stories to us and, as far as I can tell, none of us were ever traumatized by the experience. In fact, I think I am safe in saying that most of us looked forward to this story time. Also, we always opened every school day with the Our Father Who Art In Heaven" prayer and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. LGBTQ questions were never openly discussed in our classes because those kinds of life choices were considered to be private issues. We fared well under this system as far as i can tell.
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Patricia Law
the bible is mostly fiction and has been translated by many men with an agenda god would not be that shallow and mean
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John R Liming
A gentle, balanced way to respond might sound something like this:
It’s understandable to feel frustrated or hurt when religion is used to exclude people, especially LGBTQ students. No one should feel judged or unsafe in a classroom. At the same time, it helps to be careful about dismissing something as deeply meaningful to others as the Bible.
It’s true that the Bible was written and compiled over many centuries by different human authors and has gone through translation and interpretation, which means culture and historical context influenced how it’s been understood. But calling it “mostly fiction” or assuming it exists only because of “an agenda” can feel just as dismissive as using it to condemn others. For many people, it’s a source of comfort, moral guidance, and faith.
There are also many Christians and Jewish scholars who interpret scripture very differently than that teacher did. Plenty believe that God is loving, not condemning, and that LGBTQ people deserve full dignity and inclusion. So the issue often isn’t the Bible itself, but how individuals choose to interpret and apply it.
In a school setting especially, the focus should be respect and inclusion for all students, regardless of anyone’s personal beliefs. We can stand up for LGBTQ students without attacking religion as a whole. Compassion and understanding on both sides usually lead to better conversations than criticism alone.
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Ellis Collom
He should teach in a religion based school.
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PKBW
This crap does not need to be mentioned in our schools. Why not teach about the cowboys and Indians and how the white man took everything from them.
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Joseph Grieco
What's next? Refusing to give a passing grade to the child of a non-Christian family because his Church teaches him they aren't worth that grade? Calling on Black children to "perform" for the class because it's in their blood? Making Jewish students sit away from everyone else for fear of contamination from them?
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Kerry L Gausemel
Hi Joe,
What's next? Forcing conscientious objectors to kill? Are the parents aware of this "socializing" curriculum?
I wonder what the Islamist community would think about their children being exposed to that?
This subject matter IMO is for the parents to explain to their kids, not school teachers being forced to indoctrinate them against a teacher's conscientious objections.
When did schools become social justice institutions rather than places of learning reading, writing and arithmetic? Too passe? Too old school? Or just plain old wisdom?
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Patricia Ann Gross
Kerry,
And for the kids that bully other kids that have a different family make-up, where do you think they got that information. This is not a religious book, or a book about sex. It is a book about being nice to one another and enlightening otherst that not all families look like theirs. My neice and nephew were adopted due to fertility issues with my sister and her husband, and they had similar questions about their birth parents. Social situations and how to handle them are appropriate in school, particularly where there is a large diversity in students and cases of bullying. Ignoring something doesn't make it go away.
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Michael Hunt
How is teaching kindness and acceptance of those who are different from you some type of sinister indoctrination? Personally, this is a skill and virtue I would hope my child's teacher is teaching them.
If reading a book about a child who has two fathers is indoctrination, how is reading the Bible to children and teaching them that homosexuality is a sin not indoctrination as well? I mean, one is teaching compassion, the other is teaching fear and hate.
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Merle A Clark
Putting lipstick on a pig
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Gordon Tittsworth
I totally agree with the teacher's stance. We are normalizing what God has called an abomination and calling those who oppose it bigots and homophobes. Seems we are in the times where good is being called evil and evil is being called good.
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Joseph Grieco
So, you know this because God has personally told you so?
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John R Liming
Opinion -- I believe there is enough evidence to say that our nation has been in a state of overly-permissive moral decay for at least a couple of decades now and committed sincere Christians who faithfully study their Bibles and seek God in Spirit and in Truth (And not in just formality) will know what is good and what is evil because it is all totally spelled out in the Scriptures. In my mind and my way of thinking, that is truly "God telling us so personally." It is a matter of faith.
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Robert Paye
Leviticus 18:22 - You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
Leviticus 20:13 - If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
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Nathaniel Frye-Jones
““You must not wear clothing made of wool and linen woven together.” Deuteronomy 22:11
“For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.” Romans 10:4
“Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.” Romans 6:14
“And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.” Galatians 3:25
Leviticus is the old law. The old law is dead.
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Robert Paye
These are great scriptures you have here. Read them in their context and they will help you greatly with the understanding you need.
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Robert Paye
Another scripture to help your understanding: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
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Lori-Ann Neeb
Tell me where you get the authority to decide what is good or evil?
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Walter Stanley Grudzinski
Why is this being taught to First Grade students in the first place? Let's get the schools back to the "ABCs"!
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ServantOfJudgement
It's a K-4 school for crying out loud. This is why I say teach the bible in schools. If the left won't stop with this nonsense, the Christians must move the goal post so far beyond reason even I feel bad about it.
What are we doing guys? Doesn't anyone on the left see their slow slide into insanity? You've got barney clown suits protesting ICE for crying out loud!
You think a proper man is gonna take anything like that seriously? Your raising a bunch of clowns.
No living thing on planet earth has two dads or two moms. I'm real sorry about that. Stop confusing the little ones and act like a responsible adult.
Thank God gave He us science. Can you imagine the left without science to check they're madness? Good lord all mighty!
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Patricia Ann Gross
It's because of the reality of K-4 children in the classroom having children with parents who are the same sex. It isn't promoting same sex relationships, its about dignity and respect for those who have a different family makeup. No more. No less. I have known children this age who are bullied in horrific manners because they have two moms or two dads. One parent had to pull the child out of school and homeschool because the teachers or school administration wouldn't address it, causing a signficant financial hardship to the family because she had to quit her job to do it. This is one way to address it without pointing fingers or calling anyone out.
As for the the statement about no living thing on planet earth having two moms or dads, there are millions of children on this earth not living with biological methods in foster and adopted parent homes (not to mention surrogacy), and every one of these children are planned and wanted. That cannot be said for every child born the "old fashioned way."
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Pastor Jim
Hey Pastor Jim, meet Pastor Jim. Lol
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Pastor Jim
How the hell do YOU know what God do or allow?
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Did you have a stroke after the word ‘what’ and totally lose your memory of basic English grammar?
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Pastor Jim
LOL. Thanks. Well, it could have been a stroke or, at least flatulence of the brain... but it should have read, "what God does..."
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Christian
ALL Teachers are legally bound by " in loco parentis " to protect & defend children from Harm. If even ONE Parent would object to groomers training their child to accept Sodomy or molestation, even as a "children's book", then the teacher is legally bound to omit ALL materials of a sexual nature AND maintain a 'G' Rated classroom. All parents have the right to sue godless government school districts if they are intentionally exposing their children to harmful content.
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Patricia Ann Gross
This is not a book of a "sexual nature." It is a story about how a child is supposed to celebrate Mother's day because she has two fathers. It could also be the same topic a child who lost both parents and being raised by two brothers. It's not a story about sex, it's a story about a family written in an age-appropriate way.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
Why do you choose to label this teacher a “groomer?” Show me where in the bible (or any other book) it claims parents have a right to sue “godless government school districts.” Parents can home school, send their children to religious or other kinds of private schools. They are free to shelter their children from reality and truth. The outcomes will be tragic, but that’s part of “parental rights.”
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Todd Leslie Miller
But this just points out a fundamental flaw in the school system. Prioritizing the teaching of ideology over essential skills such as education. That book has no place in an elementary school classroom!
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Michael Hunt
This book teaches them the skill of compassion for those who are different from themselves. Same-sex couples exist just like heterosexual couples and denying their existence to children will only confuse them when they inevitably meet a same-sex couple.
There is nothing harmful in this book. Acknowledging the existence of same-sex couples is not harmful to children. Blinding them from the realities of life is harmful to children.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Why is this particular book about sex? If it had a man and a woman rather than two men would that make it less about sex?
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Rev. BH
Christian, " If even ONE Parent would object to groomers training their child to accept Sodomy or molestation ..." Not quite the same I'd venture, as reading a from a book.
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Sir Lionheart
It’s a shame he made that decision. He missed a golden opportunity, after reading that book to children, to explain to them how many people are affected with mental disorders. He could have referenced the well known psychiatrist Dr. Paul R. McHugh of Johns Hopkins University, who wrote about how Transgenderism is a mental disorder, and he could also have referenced how many of those from the LGBTQ+ community suffer with depression and other forms of mental health issues.
https://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/scpsva/Board.nsf/files/B8UR4X6C2467/$file/01-08-19%20Citizen%20Handouts%20%28L.%20Lineweaver%29.pdf
🦁❤️
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Patricia Ann Gross
Sir LH,
Get your issues right. This isn't about transgenderism, or mental illness for that matter. It is about a little girl with a familiy that consists of two dads being read to, what appears to be, a first grade class. Do you really think first graders are able to understand a JHU report on mental health issues? Especially when they don't even apply to the book being read to them?
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Sir Lionheart
I do understand your point, and we are assuming the image of what looks like a girl is in fact a female minor, which is a bit odd for two homosexual males wanting to adopt a female, right? Who knows what the story is really about nowadays. We don’t even know if what looks like to be two male figures are in fact male. 🤷
For all we know they could be two transgender, biologically female, pagan Witches. 🤭
🦁❤️
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Patricia Ann Gross
We don't even know if the story was in fact, a fact, or a work of fiction based on a little girl who has two dad's experience.
I wonder if the teacher would ask for the same exemption from reading CIndarella, a story about a little girl with a wicked stepmother and a fairy godmother who performs magic acts of turning a pumpkin into a carriage and mice into servants. You know, pagan/witch stuff.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Great comment!
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Sir Lionheart
Yes, you're right. The teacher should preface books that he is going to read like that as fiction, comedy, or fairy stories.
🦁❤️
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Patricia Ann Gross
Or a fable - a moral (as in the moral to the story, that is).
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Joseph Grieco
You mean the same McHugh who's work has been shown to have more holes than a slice of swiss cheese? The same McHugh who "cherry picked" his "evidence" from numerous scientifically disproven studies? The same McHugh who claims to be a Roman Catholic but who refuses to recognize the authority of the Pope? Just checkin'.
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Sir Lionheart
Yes, he’s also a Democrat. Weird….right? 🤭
🦁❤️
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Robert J Giammarco
Here we go again, with these ridiculous blogs on the ULCM. It seems RELIGION applies only to other faiths, not to Christians. It's the same crap we incurred with the COVID scam. Sexual orientation, or beliefs, have NOTHING to do with this issue. It has to do with COMMON sense. Your strong FAITH in your religious beliefs, it should be respected. This is nothing but PURE EVILNESS, and all those commenting their approval are doing the DEVIL'S work against our innocent children.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
So in your opinion either 7M deaths is no big deal or a fictional number. Either way you come across as a(n) (insert derogatory noun) or just (insert derogatory adjective).
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Donald G Magel
Not a very Christian response but an expected one.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Covid deniers, xtians, holocaust deniers, anti-anti-vaxxers and flat earthers are all willfully ignorant and cut from the same cloth. But only xtians claim they’re beingbsingled out.
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Kerry L Gausemel
Dr Z.,
You forgot about the willful ignorance of the LGBTQ+++++++++ community that believes a man can be a woman. Even sciences denies that. Weirder still, half the country can't define what a woman is. What is the saying? Ignorance is bliss?
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Sure, science will state that there are two sexes differentiated by genitalia and XX XY chromosomes. But research at Harvard has found that there are physiological differences in some trans individuals. Things which are specifically male/female are found to exist in the opposite sex of trans individuals.
Personally I think the trans movement has people joining in as a fad. Like wearing bell bottoms and growing your hair long in the 60s/70s. BUT that doesn’t negate the fact that it’s real.
And being gay is a REAL thing. Maybe talk to an actual gay person sometime.
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Robert Gagnon
This is the wrong way to teach acceptance. The correct way is one that covers everybody. Specific situations are not necessary. What if it's two Moms or a commune, or an incestuous family? These are adult situations that children don't need to focus on. Acceptance of different family dynamics should be expressed as just that, each family is different and there are no wrong families. Families are all different and it's not a child's job to judge or criticize what adults do. The special interest group representation is unnecessary and imposing. When kids get older they will understand this better.
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Cindy
This is material that is more family business. This is not what education is about. These are personal family matters. School teachers are to teach Math, English, Science, and subjects of the like. The lines between family business and what is taught in school have been horribly blurred. There needs to be more clear boundaries.
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Nathaniel Frye-Jones
Okay, so any reference to parents should be banned then. No showing any moms or dads, and no discussing the topic. If little Billy wants to say something about his mom. Or talk about why he’s getting his dad for Father’s Day, I guess he should be shut down or sent to the principal’s office, right? This isn’t teaching anything about sex. It’s simply acknowledging kids in the room who aren’t in the “majority” situation, and teaching kids to be kind and respectful to people who aren’t the same as them. It isn’t telling kids they need to be gay, it’s saying Sally over there is different and we don’t need to tease her for it. Just be nice. What is the family matter? To tell a child that they may grow up different themselves and it’s wrong? Fine. Teach that to them yourself at home when they come home with questions. This is so against the accepting nature behind the Universal Life Church.
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Jessica Forbes
Some kids don't get attention at home. Teachers should be available fur un bias healthy answers on any topic appropriate for the age groups. It was 2 people loving a child. What if they called one mrs.Dad.
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Paul Johnson
Those who think it is cool to be queer what can you say. Just pray for them. Jesus never said things would get better. So deal with it and stay focused on Christ and his word.
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Reverend Paula Copp
I’m a queer pagan witch. I don’t need people to pray for me; I need people to let me practice my beliefs in peace. Jesus never said anything about homosexuality. He would have sat with the LGBTQ+ community as he sat with other marginalized people. If that teacher has beliefs which challenge his ability to teach specific books which are included in the curriculum then he he needs a teaching position in a school better aligned with his beliefs…
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James Richard Munro
There are eleven places in the bible that mention perverted acts such as the LGBTQ issues. This perversion needs to stay out of public schools. Pastor Jim
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Says eating oysters, wearing wool-blend sweaters and getting a tattoo are taboo, too. You get those things enforced and we’ll talk about this little book. In fact, maybe read a few other books.
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Deborah Davenport
Actually, prior to 1946, the words "homosexual" and "homosexuality" didn't exist in the Christian Bible. During the 1930s and 1940s when the team translating the KJV (1611), ERV (1885) and ASV (1901) into a more readable form, homosexuality a as considered a mental disorder.
The Word “Homosexual” Doesn’t Appear In The Bible [Pre-1946] | Keith Giles https://share.google/PZnJyv7N6qNSzG0bo
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Patricia Ann Gross
But none of them are what Jesus taught.
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Lori-Ann Neeb
If that stays out so do all other religions. Yes, even. Christianity , especially the weaponized version spouted by Bible thumpers.
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Robert Paye
You are correct for noting that Jesus sat with those people. However, have you considered their lives after encountering Jesus? Everyone that stayed with him repented 100%. Come as you are doesn't mean say as you came. God loves you and wants you to know He is always willing to receive you when you choose to come home to Him. Amen!
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Nathaniel Frye-Jones
We don’t know what happened to most of these people after Jesus moved on. That 100% repent may exist in your mind, but it’s not on the page.
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Robert Paye
One may think so, but i recommend studying the Bible instead of just reading. All of your questions and concerns will be addressed. Blessings!
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Hey, you’d hear absolutely nothing from me if you kept your religious views to yourself. PLEASE make that practice universal.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Dr. Z.
Please tell me what is inappropriate about someone sharing religious views on a religious website? It is an inter-faith community, and there WILL be differences of opinion. That doesn't make one person's beliefs right, or another's wrong, it just makes them different.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Didn’t say that it is inappropriate here. Just that when you express your views expect to be countered.
(Honestly don’t know what comment was made to result in my making the point in question. Honestly don’t care.)
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Patricia Ann Gross
Just an assumption on my part. When you tell someone "if you kept your religious views to yourself" it implies that you thought what he said was inappropriate.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
This site is about being ordained as a minister. It’s a loophole so ANYBODY can perform a wedding. But a lot of people like their little plastic Preacher Badge and take them seriously. If you want to call it a ‘religious site’, fine.
So ‘inappropriate’? I think that religious views are, to a degree, inappropriate by their very nature. They express positive opinions on matters where, at best, there should just be doubt. They express active belief in something for which there is no evidence, and that is an“inappropriate” basis for one’s worldview.
You have the right to express your beliefs. Doing so is your choice and is generally not inappropriate. But doing so DOES have consequences. And that was my point.
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Patricia Ann Gross
What about the word "church" do you not understand? According to Mirriam-Webster's Dictionary, it is "a building for public religious services and especially Christian worship." ULC stands for Universal Life CHURCH.
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Rev Ned
Haters gotta hate! The hymn goes 🎼 Jesus loves me, but He can’t stand you.
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Joseph Saffomilla
Aside from that not being amusing or accurate, it seems like someone is being very judgmental. The lib mind in action: everything is good until it is something they disagree with.
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Rev Ned
The teacher’s obviously scared to read an LGBTQ+ book. It begs the question, “Why?”.
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James Richard Munro
You ask why? I don't believe the teacher is as you say, scared. He just refuses to spread perverted material. That's part of teaching. Trying to teach the difference between right and wrong.
Reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw many years ago. It read, Think gay is ok? Read my book. God.
Pastor Jim
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Michael Hunt
There's nothing perverted about homosexuality. If you're the one who sees a homosexual couple and immediately thinks about what they do in the bedroom, you're the pervert.
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PKBW
This crap needs to be left out of the schools. The kids are getting screwed up enough.
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John P Maher
TEACHER GO TO A RELIGIOUS TEACHING JOB and SHADDUP !!!
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Brother Peter
I agree. There are many religious based schools, particularly in the Bible Belt where this teacher's views would be celebrated
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Everyone can decide for themselves on their life style, and are solely responsible, but to influence kids is another matter, in my opinion. It's akin to having classes on drugs and how to use needles safely in order to not discriminate against drug addicts and senseless. Therefore, again, anyone should do as they wish, as long as they don't negatively affect society (especially kids), and do not insist on teaching, what counters parents' education. For, the majority of parents are against this, and that's the truth. Why insist then? Why not consider the parents? I say let's be 100% democratic, and let parents vote, on what is and isn't acceptable to be thought their kids.