www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Gay Day & Catholic Schools

It appears that there are some Catholic Schools who will participate in the Day of Silence (Warning This Link May Contain Anti-Christian Information) [dayofsilence.org]

Here is the link of schools which may participate:List of Middle & High Schools Likely Participating in �Day of Silence�: Check Your State [americansfortruth.com]

This is from their website:

What do you have to say about potential opponents to the Day of Silence?
The issue at hand is the bullying, harassment, name-calling and violence that students see and face in our schools. The Day of Silence is an activity created and led by students to educate their peers and bring an end to this harassment.

We look forward to engaging all organizations and individuals who share The Day of Silence vision of schools free from anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment.

Those who do not support the Day of Silence often protest, but rarely contribute positively to finding ways to end anti-LGBT harassment. Some individuals and groups organize events in response to the Day of Silence. These events grossly mischaracterize or simply misunderstand the basic purpose of the Day of Silence. Bringing attention to these events only adds a false credibility to their misinformation about the Day of Silence, GLSEN and the thousands of American students taking action on April 18th. If you face hostile students or organizations in your school on the Day of Silence remember to remain calm. We encourage you to not get into a debate, make gestures, and certainly not to get into a physical altercation. If you continue to be harassed, we encourage you to contact your GSA advisor or other ally school staff person.

Some critics of the Day of Silence come from the perspective of �reparative� or �conversion� therapy and/or from the perspective of �transformational ministries.� It is important to note that �reparative therapy� has been rejected by all the major health and mental health professions. Additionally, the view of �transformational ministry� adherents is not representative of the views of all people of faith. Finally, the Day of Silence is about unacceptable behavior (anti-LGBT bullying, harassment, and name-calling in schools) not debates about beliefs

I'm sure it is possible that their agenda is more than opposition to bullying, but I don't have a problem standing with these groups when they are right. Many kids struggle with sexuality and the torment that is inflicted upon them by their peers doesn't help. It drives many of them to suicide. I feel as a Christian, in reparation for the sinful acts other Christians who have terrorized their peers, I should stand in solidarity with these folks against all verbal and physical abuse. Perhaps, if we traditional Christians who oppose homosexuality would stand in solidarity where we can, the gay rights advocates might be willing to talk with us rationally and listen to our point of view. But, I've seen too much bible verse slinging and people shouting, "You are going to burn in hell you ***" to be critical of any efforts to make gay students safe from verbal and physical assault.

Joe

Joe,

I see your point and I agree with much of what you said. However, I think we both know like you said, "I'm sure it is possible that their agenda is more than opposition to bullying."

North Dakota and Mississippi don't seem to have any schools participating.

My Catholic school isn't participating. BTW, I won't put up with any of my students bullying another - for any reason!

Anti-bullying initiatives are nothing more than the latest left wing totalitarian insanity, often used as a means to interfere in the lives of people who have committed no crimes whatsoever.

I'll give a couple examples. In 2004 my Mom's home health nurse, who we had known for over 6 years, told us she had received a phone call from her 11 year old son's teacher, regarding a very serious behavioural problem. When she arrived at the school, she was met by the teacher, the school's principal and a counselor, who informed her that a classmate of her son's was so terrified of being beaten up by her son and his friends, that he was afraid to go outside. Hold on to your hat for the rest of the story ! When our nurse asked if her son and his friends had physically assaulted the frightened boy, she was told point blank, that no, there hadn't been any assault of any kind. Next she asked, if her son and his friends had ever threatened to assault the boy, and again she was told no, they had not. At this point as you can guess, she was pretty angry, and asked what exactly her son and his friends had done. Well it turned out the defenseless little dear making the outrageous claims, had said that a week earlier he had encountered the other boys on a neighborhood basketball court after school, and they had refused to let him play with them. Then at school, they had looked at him "funny" and snickered when he walked past in the hallway.


Too funny for words, or more realistically pathetic, but not funny at all when you consider the boy's mother had threatened to call the police if the matter was not resolved. Finally, our nurse's son and his friends had to apologise to the boy and tell him that they didn't hate him and weren't planning to beat him up.

On another occasion, a neighbor told us she had also received a call from school officials regarding an alleged behavioural problem with her son, who had no history of disciplinary infractions. Her son's offense, was that he liked to wear his hooded sweater up, and this frightened some of the younger kids, who obviously had complained.

I'm talking about physical threats and actually hitting smaller children. Not the silly stuff.

Kids are bullied who have disabilities, adnormal physical appearences, manerisms, etc... Why should Gay And Lesbians have a Special Day? What about a day for all Children who have been bullied?

Well said Ray, a day of silence for all children who are cruelly bullied would be fine but I think this is just another public event to promote the homosexual agenda.

Ray,

I think that is a good idea. In fact, it is even a better idea than singling out one group. We could just call it "Love thy neighbor Day." And you are probably right that there is some kind of agenda going on.

Joe

Archbishop Joseph made it clear there would be no RC schools participating in Kansas.

A very close friend is President and CEO of Alliance Defense Fund [alliancedefensefund.org]. ADF is promoting "Day of Truth" to respond to "Day of Silence."

More info can be found here: Day of Truth [dayoftruth.org]

Right on. Exactly true.

no it is to fight prejudice

Are you out of your mind? That would be bringing religion into the school, which everyone knows is the source of all intolerance!!!!!