GAY TRUTH

For the vast majority of religious schools, it was a shock to learn that they might be allowed to remove a student simply because of their sexual orientation—they had never considered that course of action. However, while that particular issue may have been a storm in a teacup, behind the irrational bullying furor  of the last week, there are much bigger questions that need to be resolved. Like what it means for a religious community to be able to live in accordance with its deepest convictions and beliefs. That is the question the Ruddock Review was asked to address. Changes to discrimination laws could compel faith-based schools to either change their convictions or to close. In a culture increasingly unfamiliar with religious conviction, it can be hard to understand what it’s like to have religious faith. Contrary to the stereotypes, faith usually means serious thought, regular self-examination, times of doubt and times of intellectual wrestle. It also means believing th...

Nigel and Sally Rowe were unprepared for the brutal backlash they are experiencing after withdrawing their young sons from their school where classmates are free to “change” their gender from day to day. The Rowes felt they had no choice but to homeschool their sons because of the primary school ’s transgender agenda and the impact it has had on both children . “Daddy, I’m confused.  I don’t understand.” Last year, the Rowe’s oldest son, then age seven, was enrolled in a class where one of the boys decided he wanted to become a girl, to dress like a girl, and to be called by a girl’s name. This was confusing and stressful for their son, so they chose to withdraw him and have been homeschooling him ever since. Both parents say he’s happier now. Fast Forward to the present: “The same thing is now happening in our younger son’s class,” said Nigel Rowe. A boy comes to class “sometimes as a girl, and sometimes as a boy.” The six-year-old told his father, “Daddy, I’m conf...

Crowd in support of Gay Marriage (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Speaking before Parliament earlier this month Dame Louise Casey, who recently headed a prominent review of social cohesion in the UK ,  commented on issues within faith schools. Asked about fundamentalist teachings in Muslim schools, she said: “I don’t really have a view on which religion it is that’s promoting those sorts of views, but it is not OK – the same way it is not OK for Catholic schools to be homophobic and anti-gay marriage. That’s not OK either. That’s not how we bring children up in this country. She had added: “It’s often veiled as religious conservativism…. I have a problem with the expression of religious conservatism because I think often it can be anti-equalities. We’ve got to be careful. People can choose to live the lives they want to live, but they can’t condemn others for living differently.” In a column for the  Catholic Herald , Tory MP for Gainsborough Sir Edward L...

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has informed UK faith-based schools that if they don't comply with new rules requiring them to "actively promote British values ," including teaching tolerance of homosexuality , they could face closure. In 2013, Morgan voted against the introduction of same-sex marriage in England and Wales , arguing that marriage could only be between a man and a woman. [11] Following the resignation of Maria Miller from the Cabinet , she became Minister for Women (attending Cabinet) on 9 April 2014 and was appointed a Privy Councillor . However, the equalities brief went to Sajid Javid , the culture secretary. The separation of the equalities portfolio was seen by some as in response to the fact that Morgan had voted against the government's proposal to introduce legislation allowing same-sex marriages, and led to accusations that Morgan was merely "minister for straight women". [14] [15] On her promotion, she retained her post...

MANITOBA, March 20, 2013 ( LifeSiteNews.com ) – A growing number of Manitoba politicians and religious leaders have added their voice to the escalating clamor against the NDP’s proposed Bill 18, saying that it would force faith-based schools to hand over their cherished freedoms to agenda-driven government bureaucrats. Winnipeg Conservative MP Rod Bruinooge (Winnipeg South) came out in opposition to the bill last week after drawing attention to a number of letters written to NDP Premier Greg Selinger by concerned religious groups from around the province.  Member of Parliament Rod Bruinooge "I think they have valid concerns and I support them," said Bruinooge to reporters.  Rabbi Avrohom Altein, director of Winnipeg’s Jewish Learning Centre,  wrote to Selinger  that the bill’s requirement that gay-straight alliances be accommodated in every school “is based on a mistaken premise that will only serve to undermine the very principles of equality that it...

English: Bullying on IRFE in March 5, 2007, the first class day. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) ST.PAUL, MN, March 11, 2013 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Homosexual activists in Minnesota are pushing for a broad “Safe and Supportive Schools Act” that would outlaw speech that could interfere with a student's ability "to participate in a safe and supportive learning environment."  The bill is being promoted as the strongest " anti-bullying " law in the nation, but critics say it could have a chilling effect on free speech, especially in religious schools that teach Christian beliefs on sexuality.  “We agree … that school bullying is a serious issue that needs to be ameliorated,” said Pete Noll, education director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, testifying before the state legislature.  “All children are entitled to a safe, secure learning environment.”  But he disagreed that the “Safe and Supportive Schools Act” should apply to religious schools. The bill, a...

WINNIPEG , March 1, 2013, ( LifeSiteNews.com ) - Controversy is escalating over the Manitoba NDP government's proposed anti- bullying law, which would force schools - including independent religious schools - to accommodate homosexual student clubs under the name gay-straight alliance ( GSA ). The  Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe and Inclusive Schools)  stipulates that schools "must accommodate pupils who want to establish and lead activities and organizations that use the name 'gay-straight alliance' or any other name that is consistent with the promotion of a positive school environment that is inclusive and accepting of all pupils." Independent religious schools in the province contend that Bill 18 is a violation of their religious freedom, while the NDP education minister said the personal rights of students take precedence over religious freedom. Manitoba religious private schools, including Jewish, Sikh, Islamic, as well as Catholic and ot...