A Question re: The National Day of Silence

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? II Corinthians 6:14

Caleb Land posted this comment with regard to a question that he had that had not been directly addressed in the blog. Thank you, Caleb, for posting this question! I also encourage others of you to comment about issues that have not been directly addressed in the blog, but that you would like to see addressed.

 

Comment:
This isn't related to this post, but I don't know how else to contact you. I have come to respect your collective opinion and look forward to your cultural analysis from a biblical perspective. Here is my question. Are you familiar with the National Day of Silence and what do you believe is the best response for evangelical Christians? According to the official website: http://www.dayofsilence.org/index.htm, The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. This year’s event will be held in memory of  Lawrence King, a  California  8th-grader  who  was shot and killed Feb. 12 by a classmate because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. Hundreds of thousands of students will come together on April 25 to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior." I am a student pastor. The issue of homosexuality is an important one for my students. Many of them see nothing wrong with homosexuality because they are so relativistic and don't really care what the Bible says, but others are honestly struggling through the issue. If I believed that Day of Silence were simply against violence, then I wouldn't have any problem saying with them, we shouldn't harass, beat up or kill gay people. What does anger me is that this is an official sanctioned program by many public schools. Can you imagine a similar Christian holiday? I've long been a proponent of public school education, but as I approach parenthood, my mind is changing. To the point, what advice do you have on how I might use this as a teaching opportunity and lovingly disagree and teach the truth?

The Day of Silence is organized by GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. The reason for this day according to their website is:

The Day of Silence (www.dayofsilence.org), a project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), is a student-led day of action when concerned students, from middle school to college, take some form of a vow of silence to bring attention to the name-calling, bullying and harassment— in effect, the silencing— experienced by LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) students and their allies.

Caleb asks what the best response is for evangelical Christians. The short answer is, “The gospel.” But that answer needs a little unpacking. The Bible teaches that mocking, bullying, harassment, and discriminatory violence are always wrong. The Bible also teaches that homosexual and bisexual behavior are always wrong. The Day of Silence decries the harsh mob mentality that results in taunting, physical assault and, sadly, sometimes the death of students of non-heterosexual persuasion. A Christian should agree that there is no biblical basis and thus, no place for such actions. Indeed, Christians should seek to bring the good news of the gospel to those who are mired in these sinful and destructive lifestyles. But this highlights the problem. An attempt to communicate that those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual are violating the law of God and need salvation could be viewed as harassment. As a video clip on the Day of Silence website states, “No one should be discriminated against for being who they are.” Actually, GLSEN has formalized a position statement that speaks against those who would say that homosexual desires (let alone actions) are wrong. Here is a quote from an informational fact sheet put out by GLSEN. This fact sheet can viewed at GLESN.org.

"As principals, educators, and school personnel, you need good information.

The reason for publishing this fact sheet now is the recent upsurge in aggressive promotion of 'reparative therapy' and 'transformational ministry. 'Reparative therapy' refers to psychotherapy to eliminate an individual’s attractions to members of their own gender. 'Transformational ministry' refers to the use of religion to eliminate those desires.”

Transformational ministry, among other things, would include the presentation of the gospel message. So to join with the Day of Silence activities a Christian would also be joining with those who demand that Christians not be who they are. In reality, there is no common ground here for Christians in the Day of Silence activities. To support the GLSEN cause, a Christian must also support the tenet that the desires for sex outside the bounds of heterosexual marriage must be affirmed as appropriate.

As Caleb’s comment illustrates, homosexuality has become a difficult issue for many Christians, particularly students. Our culture has undergone radical changes in how it views homosexuality. Homosexual behavior has gone from being a sociopathic personality disturbance (the original Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1952) to being an accepted lifestyle choice, even to the point of homosexual couples being able to adopt children. In other words, there used to be strong cultural bias against homosexual behavior. That bias is now largely gone. The church can no longer look for support from the culture concerning issues like homosexuality. Children growing up today don’t see homosexuality as culturally wrong. This is the tension that Caleb speaks of.

So, how should parents respond to the Day of Silence? What should youth pastors teach regarding this event? First, I believe that we can employ the principle of II Corinthians 6:14-18 that we not be yoked together with unbelievers. The GLSEN members have made it clear that they stand in opposition to message of the gospel. Joining with them is not an option for Christians. Parents and church leaders, you must know the facts. Read the GLSEN fact sheet. Point out the anti-gospel, anti-biblical themes of this group. These folks demand that others must change to fit their preference. Yet they refuse to consider any other perspective than their own. Review the Bible’s warnings about being taken captive by the world (Colossians 2:8, etc.) You may need to do some background work to illustrate the dangers of relativism.

Second, teach that it is wrong to be hateful, to mock and hurt others, regardless of their sexual persuasions. Such behavior is simply not an option for Christians, who represent Christ.  Yet, if this is the case why are we tempted to have these wrong responses?   It is easy to be outraged at the sin of others and to ignore our own sins. It is easy to see sinful behavior in others and forget that we have been forgiven, not by our merit, but by grace.  When talking with young people, bring the balance of the gospel into the situation. Yes, homosexual behavior is wrong before God. But so is laziness and gossip.  What Christian is not guilty of sin every day?

To be gospel centered we must be humbled and motivated by the  grace of God shown to us. Isn’t this the essence of mercy? People who are caught up in sexual sin have no hope but for God to be merciful.  Showing contempt for them will not advance the gospel; showing love will.  So, while you teach that scorn and hate are not acceptable responses to sexual sin, be careful to teach also, positively, that God requires gospel centered compassion from his people.

Third and most importantly, you must give your children and students a biblical vision of the glory of God. Relativism thrives because we have made God too much like us. This culture has attempted to remake God in its own image. Such a God is nothing more than who I think he or she should be. Even to write these words is fearful! The Bible speaks of a glorious, powerful, magnificent Being who is Lord of Lord and King of Kings, who has no need for the affirmation of man. Passages like Isaiah 40, Psalm 139, Job 38-42, Romans 11:33-36, Revelation 21 and countless other passages speak of the God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This answers the notions of relativism and tolerance that infect our lives and culture. Contrast man the creature with God the Creator. Don’t even talk about these issues until you are thoroughly blown away by the majesty and wonder of God as the Bible presents him.

This will allow you to be compassionate to those who walk in darkness. (Proverbs  4:19) This will also allow you to present the Lord of Creation for  who he is. All people stand in need of a Savior who alone can make them acceptable before a holy God.

There is no easy or quick answer to Caleb’s question other than to show God for who he really is. He does have the right to say how people are to relate to each other sexually. I don’t have that right. You don’t have that right. God does. This issue is not about your sexual preference as opposed to the preference of someone in GLSEN. This issue is about God. Caleb, this is where I would start. Let me know your thoughts. Perhaps others have thoughts as well. Thanks again for your comment and question. May God bless your service for Him.

Comments

[Caleb Land]

Thank you for your careful response to what is ever becoming a difficult question. It is great to be reminded to base our teaching not on our thoughts and ideas, even if they are good, but on God's instruction, which is our only source of truth.

Your emphasis on gospel as response to homosexuality specifically and moral relativism generally is right on. It is difficult to find the balance between loving sinful people and teaching the truth about their sin, but that is what the gospel demands.

I also appreciate your observation that there are no quick or easy answers. One of the difficult things in student ministry is the desire of both parents and students for quick, easy, prescriptive answers to difficult situations and issues.. In a society of sound bites and quick fixes, it is important for student ministers to partner with and empower parents to carefully and continually cultivate a love of the gospel and a Christian worldview in their children through ongoing discipleship.

Thank you for your time and your response.

[Roger Willis]

Thank you for the great insights you guys share in your books and now on your blog. As a pastor I read your books, make them available in our church library and make copies available to our members.

I just read your reply to the questions about The National Day of Silence. Your recommendations are right on.

I am surprised that they want to focus on the young man killed in Oxnard, CA. This could come back to bite them (we will how the press handles this). I grew up in Oxnard and pastor in a nearby city. The case of this killing has not gone to trial yet (and won't for some time), but initial reports said that the young man who was killed attended the school cross-dressed in violation of the school code and is reported to have sexually harassed the boy who reportedly killed him.
How these GLSEN folks have made Lawrence King into their poster-boy martyr is irresponsible and desperate.

[Jay Younts]

Roger, thanks for your kind comments. Thanks, too, for the additional insight about the sad incident with Lawrence King. Your thoughts show the value of Proverbs 18:17 in evaluating the things that we read and hear about! Please stop by anytime.

[Jay Younts]

Caleb, Thank you for bringing the issue to the blog. I will be doing several posts on teenagers in the next week or so and your comment was a great introduction into this topic.

[Kyle]

No offense intended to the author of this blog entry, or for the one who asked the initial question, but, if christians are so dead set against bullying, harrassment, etc., then why do you constantly promote it towards GLBT kids? If you are so dead set against bullying, harrassmenet, etc., against people per se, then why don't you come out against those who are doing the bullying, etc..., instead of joining in? The National Day of Silence is helping to promote peace between people who otherwise couldn't or wouldn't agree on anything. If christians want respect, then they need to show it first.

Thank you,

Kyle - 19, Pennsylvania