P.E.A.C.E. - Public Education Advocates for Christian Equality

Controversial School Board Policy

After two years of consultations with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, on June 4, 2008, the Board passed the controversial Sexual Orientation portion of its Equity Policy. A recent meeting of 42 pastors, from 11 different denominations and 6 independent churches) concluded that this policy, which was written to address the needs of the

LGBTTTIQQ (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgendered, transsexual, two-spirited, Intersexual, Queer, Questioning) community “will result in the deconstruction of our children’s traditional Christian beliefs and values by an LGBT agenda”.

The Board of Education claims that the primary goal of the policy is to develop an environment where children from LGBT households, LGBT staff are able to achieve their full potential. Staff Awareness presentations specifically state “the policy is not intended to subvert the belief systems of staff, students and community”. The church community understands the intention, but is concerned that the implementation techniques will result in collateral damage to the biblical-Christian values of young Christian children (see Frog in the Kettle). As a matter of fact, the policy has been titled by one trustee as the “The Unlearning Process”.

The Policy Summarized:

A specialist in social policy, has carefully examined the policy, and expresses the following concerns:

‘The policy intends to create a school culture in which all forms of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered relationships (LGBTTTIQQ) are fully accepted. The approach taken, by integrating sexual lifestyles into curriculum and programs, will sexualize the school environment and discriminate against those who disagree with the LGBT lifestyles, but who do not wish to discriminate against or harass anyone who disagrees with this belief.’

The new equity policy gives the Board the power to establish a new, pro-homosexual culture in two ways:

training programs and workshops for staff and students, and by integrating this belief system into daily curriculum – beginning in Kindergarten; and

by disciplinary measures to be applied against children and staff who may be labeled “heterosexist” or “homophobic”, ie., any who - as Scripture teaches - may perceive these kinds of relationships as being problematic for a holy life.

Should Christians be Concerned?

Effect on Curriculum:

All curriculum will now be examined through the coloured lens of the Sexual Orientation Policy, and will be modified to reflect the sexual diversity of the community.
As part of the integrated curriculum approach, children in Junior Kindergarten to grade 3, when learning about family and their community, will be exposed to LGBTTTIQQ

lifestyle curriculum materials such as stories like Daddy’s Wedding, and Heather has Two Mommies. During a meeting with the public school Equity Policy administrators the question was asked, “Are the critical thinking skills of Christian children developed to the stage where they can positively deal with this type of value conflict and not compromise their values?” The committee members did not address the question, but defended the use of the materials because they support the goals of the policy.

At the grade seven and eight levels, the sexual health curriculum has been modified to reflect the sexual diversity of the LGBTTTIQQ community. At this grade level the health curriculum requires students to learn about heterosexual activity (intercourse). Since, the policy requires the curriculum to reflect the sexual diversity of the community, the HWDSB health curriculum for these grades now requires students to learn about alternative forms of sexual activity - specifically sexual activity characteristic of, LGBTTTIQQ relationships.

The way the policy is designed, implementation strategies will undermine (intentionally or unintentionally) the faith of Christian children in the truth of Scripture, while promoting a hyper-focus on sexuality in the school system.

This policy will interfere with the values taught at home, and will lead to confusion in the minds of our children.

Frog in the Kettle - Again!

Parents and churches work hard to develop in the children a biblica-l Christian world view, however it is widely known that Barna Research studies demonstrate there is very little difference between the attitudes and values of Christian teens compared to secular teens.

As parents we need to look carefully at the negative influence of society and social institutions on the values of our children. This phenomena is often described as the “Frog in the Kettle Syndrome”. When a frog is placed in a pot of water and heat is gradually added, the frog’s physical body systems adapt to the changes- its body temperature adjusts to the surroundings and the frog appears to be doing just fine. Once the temperature reaches a critical point, the frogs systems can no longer function at such a temperature and the frog flips over and expires. This example is often used as an analogy to explain how our Christian values, particularly the values of our children, adapt to their surroundings and cause most Christian children to have values very similar to their secular counterparts. Should we be concerned – absolutely!

As Christian parents we have a responsibility to raise our children in a spiritually healthy environment - an environment that encourages them to follow the teachings of Christ, and to desire to make decisions that are honouring to God. Our hope is that by doing so our children will achieve eternal life with our Lord and Saviour.