I’m sure there is going to be a public outcry against McGuinty’s new sex education curriculum, but I would like to present another perspective.
After my last letter, “Confronting Homophobia in our Schools, I can just imagine the feedback on this one!
According tocbc.ca, grade 6 students will learn about masturbation, and 12 year-olds will learn about anal and oral sex, among other topics, in the classroom. This may seem shocking to some parents out there, but many children already know about this stuff! They are learning about it on television and the Internet, or from children in their classroom who already know about it.
You may not believe me because you have never heard your child talk about sex. But they know. Of course they are not talking about it at home! They would get in trouble! But it doesn’t mean they are not talking about it with their friends at school. Under McGuinty’s new legislation, teachers will now talk about it in a responsible, educational, mature manner.
This way, students will not be misinformed, uninformed, or confused about sex and sexual orientation. Incorrect information or lack of sex education could lead to bad decisions, or incorrect beliefs, such as homophobia being wrong. Parents, you can still talk to your kids at home and educate them about what is right and wrong. The Ministry of Education is attempting to address an existing problem: kids already know about sex at that age. Didn’t you?
However, my guess is that the real problem is that a lot of people think their kids are too young to be learning about sexual orientation. Let me ask you this: Are they too young to be learning about heterosexuality? Kids already know they have a mom and a dad who made them, love them, and love each other. How is it any different to mention that it is possible for two men or two women to love each other as well?
We have no problem reinforcing heterosexuality because that is what we know and what we are comfortable with. But it is not the only way of being! What about the kid who is young and confused because he feels different? Isn’t he going to be afraid and think something is wrong with him because he doesn’t seem to fit in? What if he thinks he likes boys or just isn’t sure yet, but he doesn’t want to upset his parents by telling them? What if it was your kid? Wouldn’t you want to tell him it was okay?
Our view of society is much like our dreams: they are all about us. We see ourselves, and everyone that is just like us. We assume that this is the only way and don’t really consider other ways of being. So we go through life taking for granted that every element in society is designed for us. Well this is not the only way of being and society is not inclusive to all people.
Our reality is interpreted and created and we need to stop taking it for granted. We need what Maxine Greene, the moral philosopher, calls a “wide-awakeness;” An awakeness and awareness of issues of social justice, equity and diversity; of other ways of being. And it needs to start in schools. We need to wake up from this reverie where we are the main characters and everyone is just like us. Because that’s all it is; a dream.
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Mr. William Hennessy: You have it all wrong, the Bible says homosexuality is a perverted sexual lifestyle that results in acts of sin (Rom. 1:25-27). The love of purity in the marriage bond is God’s program (Heb.13:4). You write of sexual orientation, but Mr. Hennessy it is very simple to know and understand – Gen 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”. God did not create Adam and Steve, He created Adam and Eve, and set them forth to have dominion and to procreate (Gen.1:28).
Programs like sexual diversity only creates further confusion in the hearts and minds of children and young people as they are facing these issues of adolescence. It is not more information they need, but loving instruction and guidance from their parents, who has been given the care to bring them up in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord”(Eph. 6:4).
Sexual diversity, sexual orientation and sex education are ways in which homosexuals use to recruit the youth for their perverted agenda and lifestyle (Gen. 19:5). “Wide-awakeness” is a New Age concept, but with old adherents. It is what Hitler used to steal the youth’s hearts and minds before War World II. Such a mind set is what is taught in our public schools; it is the same mind set used to propagate communism – the state is one, we are all here for the good of the state, for the good of all! “Wide-awakeness” is akin to being open minded, but the problem is that we become so opened minded that are brains fall out! A Biblical word used to describe such a state is reprobation – a mind void of understanding. It is the result of God’s judicial judgment upon sinners who are bent on having their own way, even with the threat of eternal perdition.
“Our reality is interpreted and created and we need to stop taking it for granted” – Wrong again, Mr.Hennessy, it is God who has created all things, and it is to His Word we must seek for all reality and truth. Rev 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created”. We are not left without a witness. God’s words and His ways are for us so that we might live a life well-pleasing to the Lord. This is where true happiness is found, and not in perverted sexual gratification. True identity and orientation are found as one submits to the only Saviour of mankind – the Lord Jesus Christ.
No pastor, you have it all wrong. And funny, you quote from the Romans again, whom were for the most part, into other men and definitely pedophiles in many cases. It even stretches on to this day in the Roman Catholic church and who knows where else. The bible as you know it, was written by Constantine (another Roman Emperor) about 350 AD. Long after Jesus died. And meant to subvert the minds of the masses or to exert control on the population at the time. Scare them into giving something every week to a now multibillion dollar rich Vatican.
That same Vatican that led to such famous times as the Dark Ages, Crusades, Inquisition, Witch Hunts, burning people at the stake, etc, all in the guise of religious reasons. And look at that, the Baptist version has been plagiarized from the Roman Catholic and other versions, of which, were all plagiarized from paganism, which in a form was plagiarized from ancient Egyptian belief structure of astrological star charts.
But look at how effective Constantine’s Bible and story were, it still works to this day on the likes of yourself!
Nothing is wrong with gays. Nothing is wrong with straight people either. You will find I am quite bias free. I lead a respectful life towards others, some of those others left out on purpose in some cases mind you, but still a respectful life. The 10 commandments, was just a guideline on how to lead a better life, and even that is stolen from the ancient Egyptian book of the dead. So long as the understand after the first time I explain that I am not interested, then I have no problems with them. And no one else should either.
You sir, just use the bible to hide your bias towards not only gays, but pot smokers, those who enjoy a little snippet about their astrology, those who want to protect our earth, and last but certainly not least, those of other beliefs, particularly Muslims.
You have missed the whole point of the bible which you so love, and that renders you a walking contradiction. As far as I am concerned, you should be considered a disappointment to organized religion.
Are we allowed burn him at the stake?
Hey Anti, Let’s not give them ideas like that. They are already nasty enough.
I like that “You have it all wrong” line from the pastor. Everyone always has it wrong except for our self appointed spiritual leader.
I think there is a “wide awareness” beginning to show. This provincial government is trying to control everthing we do, are allowed to do and even say. Get away from my lawn, kids, cell phone and mostly, wallet McGuinty!
grinalot, most muslims are law abiding, the ones getting the bad press are the extreamists, and I do not know why other muslims are not leashing them.
If anyone is coming to Canada, please learn and follow the rules/laws/expectations of this country, and if you have hate for another group, we do not want it here.
That is not anti immigrant or refugee or anything, just pro Canadian. Oh, and we can not afford to give every special interest group everything they ask for anymore!
Oh Big Brother has been trying to get into our homes more and more for many years now, that will most likely never change Eric.
As for Muslims, Eric, I have no problem with them. The only time I have a problem is when someone tries to impose their beliefs on me. I agree that it is the extremists or fanatics that take it way too far, such as Osama Bin Laden for example, or the Taliban, or even those crazy Iranian Iatollah’s.
They take little snippets from their Koran, and then turn it into some extremist way instead. Much like the Pastor takes little snippets from the bible, twists them around, and then uses them as weapons against those that don’t follow his faith, or contribute to his collection plate, etc.. I’ve already told the Pastor that I consider him more of an extremist or fanatic Christian, possibly even more like a cult leader. I don’t hide that fact. It drives me nuts the amount of disrespect that the pastor portrays to those of other beliefs.
It got so bad that Mr. Vakily at the Muslim Institute, his wife, started receiving threats. The Pastor came online and vehemently denied any wrongdoing from himself or anyone in his congregation. I pointed out to the pastor that there is no way he can make a claim with 100% certainty, that there isn’t some whackjob in his congregation that took his teachings to that next level and started putting out threats to Muslims. And I advised him if he can make that claim with 100% certainty, then his congregation is no longer a congregation, but a cult instead. He never put forth any comment to that after the fact, but instead, spewed more mindless bible dribble towards me and others. I also saw him on the corner the other day at the east court mall. I ALMOST stopped to give him a piece of my mind, but rather, didn’t want to waste my time on a lost cause.
I agree, that in some cases, some of these immigrants need to tone down quite a bit. I used to work in a job where they came in, got their 5 prayers a day, in their own room, etc, while the rest of the workplace had to start bending their beliefs because “Christmas” or “Easter” offends them. Which is another load of crap. The Koran teaches tolerance. I have many Muslim friends that show more tolerance towards our beliefs then some of us show towards their’s. That being said, anyone that comes to this country to get away from persecution, beliefs, etc, to have a better life, and then tries to impose their backwards ways on us, well, theres a bridge to the USA at the end of Brookdale, go try to pull that crap in the USA.
I am very much pro Canadian, but we all need a little tolerance as well.
Yo Grimalot. Have you checked out the letter by Lynda Henrikso in the Freeloader today? It’s quite something to behold.
Ok who wrote this article or letter?
Legislation is mentioned, where did anyone ever say anything about legislating the teaching of sex in schools? Or was it just a freelance notion tossed to the public for opinions?
Homophobic what is that? It is someone that does not agree with gay sex. Why are they considered to have a phobia? It seems more like an excuse to mess with a persons mind and force them to accept homosexuality. I hate the liberal party, well I know it makes me smart but I bet in time they will have a phobia for that too
Now you may use the “oh it’s not all about sex”, ok fair enough it’s not about sex. Then it is just friendship and we should not have laws or issues in courts right? Or am I missing something.
Why not try the logical approach,
Masturbation, it happens oh yes what do you want to teach about it? Teach them how to fantasize or perhaps better ways to achieve orgasm? Hell at 8 yrs old my teacher was awesome in a lil tug and pull and I did not need guidance. So was the neighbors’ wife.
What could they teach kids that parents could not, and at 8 yrs old why would they want to? We have just been through a whole bunch of shyte with the inquiry. Much of this happened due trusting people. I am not saying teachers will diddle but doesn’t history dictate we have too many of the wrong people in our bedrooms? Even Trudeau stated and I quote “”The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation.” , when he was justifying his liberalized laws regarding divorce, abortion and homosexuality.
So I put it to you, what are you now doing in my kid’s bedroom?
Now what happens when these kids become curious about the real thing after the tug and shoot? They begin the courtship or stalking and it will drive the lust often found in horny kids to take the next step. By what age 10, Human nature and peer pressure will ensure that
Buggery again with bum sex, and for the kids. Oh sure Johnny it’s not just for pooping anymore, but remember it’s not about the sex as we stated earlier. I can see the focus now unfreekinbelievable.
No doubt, let’s keep sex something that is secret and shameful. Better to learn from Hustler and Penthouse. I mean, seriously, why do kids need to know that homosexuality is natural, and gay people can have rights and be married just like straight folks? Absurd.
Sex is dirty and evil, and should only be done for procreating purposes, and Mom and Dad should be the ones doing the teaching. They do know best right? All of them?
Just one point to make here smee, the definition of homophobia is as follows:
Main Entry: ho·mo·pho·bia
Pronunciation: \ˌhō-mə-ˈfō-bē-ə\
Function: noun
Date: 1969
: irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals
— ho·mo·pho·bic \-ˈfō-bik\ adjective
Not liking gay sex is not homophobia. I’m sure many out there are uncomfortable with that notion. Not liking gay sex just makes you more into straight sex.
However, it is those that go out on a limb with irrational fear, aversion to, or discriminate against homosexuals that are homophobic. It is those that speak out against it, that are homophobic. Or those that think they’ll become gay if they associate with gay people, etc, that are homophobic.
Such as perhaps Pastor Tom, telling homosexuals they are wrong in open forums and telling them they are all going to hell for that. That in my opinion is basically a form of homophobia. He is essentially denouncing them and their actions.
Or the girl down in the USA, where even after a court ruling, the school and parents got together to put together a secret prom for the “straight” students, while they put her in her own prom with the disabled students instead. In which case, they not only discriminated against homosexuals, but also against the disabled. Both very shameful acts.
Its interesting, it is listed that you are anti-semitic under the following definition:
Merriam Websters definition obtained by cut and paste online:
Main Entry: an·ti–Sem·i·tism
Pronunciation: \ˌan-tē-ˈse-mə-ˌti-zəm, ˌan-ˌtī-\
Function: noun
Date: 1882
: hostility toward or discrimination against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group
— an·ti–Se·mit·ic \-sə-ˈmi-tik\ adjective
— an·ti–Sem·ite \-ˈse-ˌmīt\ noun
Websters 3rd, new international dictionary definition:
Merriam-Websters – printed version – 1981
Anti-Semitism
Hostility towards Jews as a religious or racial minority group, often accompanied by social, economic, and political discrimination.
Because the Liberals were against what Israel did against Lebanon, they were termed as anti-semitic by Harper and Co. using a vague old description of anti-semitism that has since been changed long ago. Though they are not anti semitic as far as I am concerned over that matter. Now if they said all Jews are going to hell, etc, for what they did against Lebanon, that would be a different question.
There is a fine line here on describing what one is thinking. But at least make sure that the description actually fit’s, is where I’m going with this all.
Of course, if you want to take it further, a lot of hypocricy can also be included in to the mix. Lots of people out there have a big problem with man on man gay sex. But I bet a lot of men’s fantasies, directly involve having a romp one night with more than 1 woman involved. That is still gay sex to some extent, but seems to be more ok by many peoples hypocritical standards. Why, is it more ok for woman on woman sex than it is for man on man? Who knows? Where are we to make that call? I just know what I like and what I don’t make a part of my life, I don’t know about yourself of course.
But all that aside, its all still a gray area for many people involved, and the only way things will be ever sorted out is for people to talk about it, with open minds, not closed minds of course as many people display.
I have no wish to take part in any gay sex. It is not my thing, I don’t agree nor disagree with it because I take a more humanist view of it. Just because I don’t agree that Ill have anything to do with gay sex, that is more of a choice to me, because I view straight sex as my thing. This does not make me a homophobic though. Just wanted to point that out.
And you can cry about unfreekinbelievable all that you want, but, like I said previously, I think Cornwall for one location, as well with our education system as a whole, can do with some serious revamping of their sex education. Because a lot of the crap I see going on here in Cornwall for instance, could probably have been well averted long ago if we did have a bit more common sense and education on these matters out there. I think they did start out at way too early an age though to try to teach our children on some of these matters. And so a review and revamping of this new plan is definitely in order.
I also agree, government should have no place in the bedrooms of the population, meaning they should not have direct involvement in affairs with our families in our homes. In other words, say for example, a family has a family court matter to settle and someone in the government attempts to help them out, which of course could sway the proceedings on those matters. But then yet again, in our educational system is not in our bedrooms, and that is another point you may have overlooked. Try to teach em early, but not too early, its a good concept. And quite frankly, I think it matters about homosexuality should be taught in an open manner, that is laid out in one objective way for everyone. Else you have parents who are homophobic, passing it on to their little ones, and the discrimination continues! And it has to be objective, standard, easy enough for all to understand, unbiased. Unfortunately, I can almost guarantee you, parent’s teaching their young ones will most always pass on any bias they may hold.
Grimalot says -Anti-Semitism: “Hostility towards Jews as a religious or racial minority group, often accompanied by social, economic, and political discrimination”. Sodomy is a perverted sex practice that is neither racial nor is it based on genetic disposition. So that leaves only one thing – it’s religious! It is a matter of choice! Which is it? Both!
In Old Testament history sodomites were are always associated with pagan worship sites such as Baal, Dagon, and Ashtaroth. We can not restrict the use of sodomites to just male temple prostitutes. For in the account of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19), sodomites attacked the house of Lot not is a rage of religious frenzy but in a desire for sexual gratification. The sin of Sodom was not that the inhabitants were unsociable, as some think, but according to Jude 7 ” Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire”. “Strange flesh” means other than normal male to female sex relationships.(see Rom. 1:26 -27)
In early Greek and Roman culture the highest form of erotic love was seen between a man and a boy, thus we have the our modern day word pedophilia. Back then it was not considered child abuse, and now, we can see where our society is headed, if God doe not turn the hearts of many back to His word.
So Grimalot, your comparison between homophobia and antisemitism is really out of line, and shouldn’t apply. Sodomites are not a known race, nor are they a known ethnic group, through they are a minority. And many minorities, that have fought for civil rights in the past, are highly offended at the thought of using the race card in support of sodomy.
Hey Pastor, it was not meant to be a comparison between homosexuality and anti-semitism. It was meant to be a long winded example, of if you’re going to call someone a particular term, then at least make sure that the term properly fits them. Or did you miss that whole point because yet again, you were lost in some bible thumping translation? Granted, I used a far fetched term but it was only for description purposes, it was not meant as any comparison to eachother. Learn to read properly!