Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

Ralph 123

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Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum <br /><br />By STEPHEN MANNING<br />Associated Press Writer<br /><br />GREENBELT, Md. (AP) -- A federal judge has blocked a county school system from instituting a new health curriculum that includes discussions of homosexuality and religion and a demonstration on how to use condoms.<br /><br />U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams issued a temporary restraining order Thursday that prevents the Montgomery County school system in suburban Washington, D.C., from using the pilot program in six schools.<br /><br />The program had been scheduled to begin Monday. During the 10-day restraining order, another hearing will be held on whether to extend it, the judge said.<br /><br />But school Superintendent Jerry D. Weast said in a statement after the ruling that he was suspending use of the curriculum for the rest of the school year and had ordered a review of its materials before deciding the future of the program.<br /> <br />Williams agreed with two groups that filed a lawsuit claiming the curriculum's discussion of homosexuality amounted to preferential treatment for religions that preach tolerance of homosexuality over those that reject it.<br /><br />For example, the curriculum juxtaposes faiths such as Quakers and Unitarians that support full rights for homosexuals with groups such as Baptists, who are painted as "intolerant and biblically misguided," the judge wrote in his opinion.<br /><br />"The court is extremely troubled by the willingness of the defendants to venture, or perhaps more correctly, bound, into the crossroads of controversy where religion, morality and homosexuality converge," Williams wrote.<br /><br />The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum, a county group composed mostly of parents, and the Virginia-based Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays.<br /> <br />"I don't think it is right that we have 13-year-olds learning to think whether they are gay or straight," said Laura Quigley, who has three children in the school system. "We just need to let them be kids."<br /><br />The new curriculum was to be used in eighth and 10th grades. The county planned to use it in all schools after testing it this spring.<br /><br />Previously, health teachers could only discuss homosexuality in response to questions. Under the new program, they could bring up the issue on their own. The 10th-grade class would include a seven-minute video that discusses abstinence and includes a segment where a woman puts a condom on a cucumber to demonstrate its use.<br /><br />Students and parents who choose not to take part are offered alternatives that include abstinence-only programs.<br /><br />Erik Stanley, an attorney for the two groups that filed suit, said the curriculum implies that homosexuality is a biological trait, not a lifestyle choice. It excludes the viewpoints of ex-gays and those who believe that "same-sex attraction can be overcome," he said.<br /><br />Williams agreed, saying that by presenting only one side to the debate, the schools were violating the free speech rights of those who may not agree.<br /><br />************************<br /><br />Here are local headlines about two similar attempts by government schools to push their agenda here in Boston:<br /><br />Graphic AIDS book draws parents' ire;<br />KEVIN ROTHSTEIN. Boston Herald. Boston, Mass.: May 3, 2005. pg. 006 <br /><br />Lexington school calls cops on dad irate over gay book; (The child was a 6-year old kindergartener!)<br />Laura Crimaldi. Boston Herald. Boston, Mass.: Apr 28, 2005. pg. 004
 

dogsdad

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

Originally posted by JB:<br /><br /><br />One cannot be "taught" to be "gay" or "taught" not to be. Only education can equip them to deal with it responsibly.
That is not quite true. Many females are recruited---drawn into the gay lifestyle by others. Many times the tactics used are predatory. I have seen it happen in two different instances, once to a girl I knew in college, and another time to a cousin. In both instances these girls had just ended bad relationships with abusive men. They were told by the recruiting butch dykes over and over that they were gay, and that it was natural, and okay...yada, yada, yada, that only women can love women, and a lot of other horse****.<br /><br />I do agree that education can be a help, though. A little forewarning might help girls like this fend off the attacks.
 

JB

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

Hmmmm.<br /><br />I think I agree with not discussing sexual orientation in a religious context. Religion has nothing to do with sexual orientation, and vice versa.<br /><br />There is no debate about what homosexuality is or that it exists. Same with other anomalies in human perception and behavior. <br /><br />Many children and youths suffer phychologically damaging encounters with predatory homosexuals because they are ignorant and thus vulnerable. If they know and understand what it is they are better equipped to avoid such encounters.<br /><br />One cannot be "taught" to be "gay" or "taught" not to be. Only education can equip them to deal with it responsibly.
 

Ralph 123

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

This "education" has nothing to do with avoiding predators. It has to do with "normalizing" the lifestyle and making it "acceptable" and it is being done in age inappropriate ways. Does a 6-year old need a gay picture book that teaches about homosexuality when it completely contradicts the religion and wishes of the parents? Then, all the parents asks is that they be notified in advance when such things are being taught or handed out and they arrest the father for refusing to leave until he has an agreement they will obey the notification "laws"<br /><br />It's like forcing a Muslim or Jewish kid to eat pork!<br /><br />If this isn't a clear attempt by "teachers" to indoctrinate children as young as possible, nothing I've ever seen is.
 

mellowyellow

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

a dual gay/religious thread ralphy...<br />u r a brave man! LOL<br /><br />man, was I lucky to go to a private jesuit<br />school where all ideologies were discussed<br />without judgment or condemnation.<br /><br />MY 17yr old son lasted 2 weeks in a private<br />"christian" school. the day they pulled him<br />from class (at 13yo) and told him his "harry<br />potter" book was satanic and written by a devil<br />worshiper he was pulled quickly...<br /><br />ps.<br />nice to see ya back onboard here ;)
 

JB

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

Sorry, dogsdad.<br /><br />You are believing another myth. I wager that your own experience contradicts it.<br /><br />If latent orientation is there it can be awakened, but if it isn't it cannot be created. Latent homosexuality is responsible for many disasterous failures of attempts at heterosexual relationships.<br /><br />Think about it. Do you think you could be taught/persuaded that men are sexually attractive to you? Weren't you ever hit on by a gay predator when you were younger? Don't you still get the screaming creeps when you remember it?
 

PW2

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

Yeah,<br /><br />I went to a Catholic school, where we all learned about sexuality where it ought to be taught- in back alleys and from other kids who had big mouths, but often small brains.
 

dogsdad

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

Sorry, JB.<br /><br />When it comes to the nature vs. nurture question, I think it can be either way, but what I have witnessed confirms that the behavior can be taught. Maybe the latent tendency is present in all of us...who knows for sure? There is a latent murderer in all of us, so who's to say it is not so?<br /><br />You couldn't possibly be so naiive as to believe that a child raised in a homose_x_ual household would not be more likely to engage in the behavior at a later time. Could you??<br /><br />-dd-
 

PW2

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

You obviously don't know of the secret liberal slush fund that pays a recruiting bonus to every six year old that can be converted to a gay lifestyle.
 

dogsdad

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

PW2, do you have anything cerebral to say? Or is it just another day in the neighborhood?<br /><br /> :rolleyes: <br /><br /><br />-dd-
 

PW2

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

Why, do you want me to argue this silly topic? I gave it all the cerebral activity it deserves.<br /><br />I know one thing for sure. If I were an educator I would steer clear of this topic with all possible skill. It is something where whatever path one chooses to take, a firestorm from some other side is sure to erupt.
 

beniam

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

Well said JB. Batavier
 

Ralph 123

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

The point here is not Nurture vs Nature it is the indoctrination of children with one POV over another that directly conflicts with their religious beliefs. <br /><br />You may find it "silly" PW and that's your right as it is the right of other parents to find it offensive, intrusive and a violation of their religious freedom. Funny how you of all people who are so deeply concerned with the separation of church and state have no problem with the "the curriculum juxtaposes faiths such as Quakers and Unitarians that support full rights for homosexuals with groups such as Baptists, who are painted as "intolerant and biblically misguided," the judge wrote in his opinion."<br />It makes me wonder how concerned you really are...
 

Ralph 123

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Re: Md. Health Program Blocked Over Curriculum

In a recent case here in the Boston area, a group of young girls (8 yrs old as I recall) all went home and told their parents they were gay. When the parents asked why they thought that, the girls responded that they really didn't like playing with boys and really just wanted to play with other girls. Based on their "lessons" they thought that made them gay.<br /><br />I mostly went to government schools and back then we weren't taught anything about sex. That was left to the parents. Just like they didn't potty train me or teach me many things that make up my character. Like I said, in those barbaric days, many things were left to your parents...
 
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