A Teen’s Brave Response to “I’m Christian, Unless You’re Gay”

Hello Mr. Pearce,

I am the Christian mother of a 15 year old teenage boy and about a month ago he came home from school with a copy of your article “I’m Christian, unless you’re gay”. The teacher gave his class a homework assignment to read it and write a 500 word essay about “what it meant to them”.

He came home and showed me your article and asked me what I thought about it. I read just the title and became furious at his teacher and at you (even though I know you had nothing to do with her handing out the assignment). Anyway, I confiscated it from him and told him he wasn’t to do anything with it till I had a chance to read it first.
http://www.danoah.com/2012/04/a-teens-brave-response-to-im-c...

I can't access beyond the first page of that link.

I think this is a copy of the complete article:

http://pastebin.com/7CJQqHeQ

rj

I can't access beyond the first page of that link.



I had trouble with that as well
... had to hit the link a couple times
and reloads

It's well worth the read. Keep trying.

I checked snopes.com about this, and don't find anything, but I'm a bit skeptical.

It's certainly possible it's genuine and I'm wrong, but the self-described background doesn't ring right to me, and it seems unlikely that many teachers would choose the described essay for an essay topic. Largely due to the nature of the essay discussed: in places where discussions of Christian values might be tolerated in public schools, the discussion of homosexuality would likely be a firing offense, and places where homosexuality would not be a firing offense, classroom discussion of Christian values would be walking the line.

Also, for whatever reason, both parts of the essay strike me as written by one individual. Maybe that's family consistency, but it grates.

On the other hand, the essay it's written about is absolutely a great essay. And I've no doubt it has brought many out of the closet.

rj

it seems unlikely that many teachers would choose the described essay for an essay topic

Fair point, but one might also consider that the kid might have "faked" the assignment as a way to broach the subject with his mother, especially as isolated as he was feeling.

On the other hand, the essay it's written about is absolutely a great essay.

It sure is. Gave me a dose of humility.

-lizmonster

Also, for whatever reason, both parts of the essay strike me as written by one individual. Maybe that's family consistency, but it grates.

I don't agree, there's a consistency to the kid's writing (expressions, run-on sentences) that is different from the mother's.

Anyway, I know people like the mother both before and after such an event in their lives. It's sad that there is a whole segment of society that don't have any empathy until something happens to them personally.

It's sad that there is a whole segment of society that don't have any empathy until something happens to them personally.

Raise your hand if you think Dick Cheney would be so tolerant of gay issues if he didn't have a daughter who was out?

Yeah, just as I thought.

Raise your hand if you think Dick Cheney would be so tolerant of gay issues if he didn't have a daughter who was out?

Yeah, just as I thought.

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I understand he's recovering remarkably well from his heart transplant surgery.

Surely there was someone more deserving of that heart.
I could have found someone - even if I had to dig them up from a graveyard.

AM

If that kid submits that essay as is, he should get a D, because it is terribly written. I hope he has time for a second draft.