I posted this on another thread, but I think it fits well here.


The difference between tolerance and Christ's love
Christian author and speaker Josh McDowell reminds followers of Christ that,

We must humbly pursue truth. It may be difficult to speak the truth in today's climate, but Jesus said,

"The truth will set you free."

Pursuing truth in this context means countering the new doctrine of tolerance. It means teaching our children to embrace all people, but not all beliefs. It means showing them how to listen to and learn from all people without necessarily agreeing with them. It means helping them courageously but humbly speak the truth, even if it makes them the object of scorn or hatred.

We must always remember, however, that when the apostle Peter told us,

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have," he added, "But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).

We must aggressively practice love. Everyone loves love, it seems, but few recognize how incompatible love is with the new tolerance. Tolerance simply avoids offending someone; we must help our children live in love, which actively seeks to promote the good of another person.

Tolerance says, "You must approve of what I do."
Love responds, "I must do something harder; I will love you, even when your behavior offends me."

Tolerance says, "You must agree with me."
Love responds, "I must do something harder; I will tell you the truth, because I am convinced 'the truth will set you free.' "

Tolerance says, "You must allow me to have my way."
Love responds, "I must do something harder; I will plead with you to follow the right way, because I believe you are worth the risk."

Tolerance seeks to be inoffensive; love takes risks. Tolerance glorifies division; love seeks unity. Tolerance costs nothing; love costs everything.

I believe the dreadful potential of the new tolerance can be averted, but only with a renewed commitment to truth, justice and love. And, as it happens, that powerful trio of virtues can do more than prevent disaster; it can bring about true community and culture in the midst of diversity and disagreement.

Author: Josh McDowell. Excerpted from Focus on the Family magazine (Colorado Springs, CO: 1999). Text Copyright © 1999, Focus on the Family.

That has absolutely nothing to do with the points I made or the questions I asked you directly.

BYS said: There wouldn't be so much of it if it was not so heavily promoted by hollywood, the music industry and the activists. I know because my teenage granddaughter has told me quite a bit. That is one reason she no longer attends public school.

Ok, that is just absurd. Yes, I'm sure gay teens commit suicide at 4 times the rate of heterosexual teens because it's SUPERCOOL to be gay!

Your granddaughter doesn't go to public school because of gay people? Where does she go? If you say private school I will crack up because if you think for a minute gay children aren't there too you are dead wrong. If you say homeschooling I will simply say...it figures. Good luck when she gets into the real world where people actually are gay and she must deal with them.

Homeschooling...that's another issue entirely. But, believe me when I say teachers are glad it exists because it means they don't have to deal with all the Fundies who try to impose their beliefs on everyone else.

Are you honestly saying that the kid is at fault because he "flirted" with someone? You have a sick view of how life works, and I honestly thing by your posts in this thread, that you need to seek counseling.

If an overweight girl, with braces and acne, were to flirt with a boy in front of his friends, and the boy killed her, would you be as sympathetic to him? Or would it be different because it was a girl instead of a homosexual? Afterall, she shouldnt be flirting with a good looking boy in front of his peers. Right or wrong, that girl was asking for trouble. She instigated it. If she had just minded her own business, nothing would have happened, right?

The root of this, is that there is still a very present prejudice against homosexuals in this country. They are not seen as equal members of society and are still scene as perverse by an overwhelming religious sentiment that exists. There will never be equality for those that are seen to be sinners. For a country that is supposed to separate it's religion from it's legislation, not showing favor to any establishment of religion, Christianity sure has a big sway. The goal of modern Christianity is to dictate morality for the masses, yet it is based on a non-validated premise of a supernaturally instituted moral system.

"G"

Thank you Caymon and George.

My sentiments exactly. Things are not equal. Children are children and they deserve to be protected no matter who they are or who they aren't.

I stand by my original post. If it was a uber Christian student who was being bullied people would be in an uproar...but a gay teen....well, that must be a big gay conspiracy.