There’s been a couple of real issues that have been storming around in my head all summer long. Even now I haven’t gotten it all figured out.
I really only want to address these topics as it pertains to my career and students. I will always treat my students the same because I believe it’s what I’m called to do as a Christian and that’s to love each of them equally. I do believe that my life was changed and that no one is worse than me when we’re all sinners saved by the grace of God and that’s how I wish to treat people. I hope I don’t get in trouble with this. I’m trying to sort out my thoughts and maybe you would understand.
So let’s get to it. I don’t agree with same-sex marriage, I don’t agree with homosexual relationships, I don’t think illegal immigrants should stay in a country where taxes are not being paid. These are crazy political topics and my stomach turns in acid thinking about all the good friends I am offending right now. But, objectively, if liberals can speak their mind then so can conservatives. If liberals are able to offend me by calling me a close-minded bigot who’s religious views are limiting the lives of others then it is only understandable that I am also offered the same right to speak my mind by saying that I am living in a country where my work place, community, apartment complex and circle of friends put me in an uncomfortable, persecuted position to have me think that my views are conflicting the lives of others when their views are also causing me conflict.
Please don’t think something stupid, like, “Well if you don’t like it, then go somewhere else” because that solution can go both ways. It’s not a turf war. I’m not writing this blog to slam because I don’t think there’s an easy solution to any of this.
As a teacher I love to teach. Teach right and wrong, good and bad, science and non-science skills. I want to teach life. When my student comes into my room with a relationship problem with HIS boyfriend or SHE comes in with girlfriend problems, what do I do? If it were any other heterosexual student I would give advice, ask questions, try to get to the problem. But with a homosexual student there’s this double negative. I don’t agree with the relationship to begin with and the student is obviously struggling with an emotional issue that can be pretty devastating for a high school-er. Would it be a good time to explain to the student that he/she should break up and find someone of a different sex? Should I begin preaching on the biological differences and roles that God has created us to have? Which do I tackle first- the homosexuality of the student or the relationship issue?
Now, this question can branch into so many different points. My biblical views aren’t allowed at school, I should treat all the students the same… blah blah. Which goes into another question, if your spiritual views are not under a known denomination, does that make it not a religious view? Like believing that all roads lead to heaven, or that all people are innately good, or that there is no such thing as God… this relativistic “point of view”… is this not a religious point of view? So why can’t Christians say what they believe, when the opposite can, just because it’s not a known denomination?
What isn’t is still a category and since religion and faith is about belief than any belief against another Belief is still a religious and faith-centered one. So NONE can be taught or expressed at school- bible lovers or bible haters. But since bible haters can speak their mind at school then can’t bible lovers?
OK ANYWAYS… What I would do is follow what all Christians should believe in and that’s to love the sinner and hate the sin. Now THIS can be another issue of what is judgmental… we’ll get to that later. No one likes to be called a sinner. But I am as well! So moving on. Addressing the first question of what I would do- I would address the immediate problem of the relationship issue. I would advise the child as always, ask questions as always and deal with teaching the kid about having a good relationship. I may not think it right, but the same-sex heart issue will wait after I show the child that I care. But it has not left my mind.
As much as I want to share with the student about Christ’s love and His purpose in creation I know that NOT helping him/her in the immediate situation would worsen his/her view on what love looks like and by pointing out their disobedience to God would only lead to discussions of “Well, what if I don’t believe what you say?” and other non-progressive arguments on religions and relativistic truth and blah blah blah. For the most part, homosexuals have heard that their lifestyle is not right or biblical by someone. They don’t believe they are doing anything wrong because… well we’re talking about how they feel- which is an emotion and not reasoning. Understandable. We’re tearing apart their whole perception of love and life! Of course there’s resentment and anger. So again, between Christians (not homophobes) and homosexuals, there needs to be a display of grace before we can share more.
There’s a lot more I want to say, but again this issue is not easy. I may not even be right! I am just trying to figure out where I stand biblically at work.
Illegal immigration- next.
