A Gay Dad Sounds Off on Linda Harvey’s Propaganda Pamphlet for Kids
“No, no, no…. Not on my watch…”
That was my response when I saw that Linda Harvey, with her band of flying monkeys known as Mission America, was sweeping down from her broomstick to playgrounds near you, distributing her anti-gay propaganda for children.
Yes. For children.
Her exact words to her minions, “”Have you wished you could find a simple flyer for your older grade school or middle school children about homosexuality? Well, Mission America has developed one. It’s clear, concise and provides a beginning basis for a more in-depth study later on. You can read and download it below. Feel free to print this as needed and give to your children, grandchildren, or your church group.” The propaganda piece has been since removed from Harvey’s site.
What makes this particularly ironic is that Ms. Harvey, she of “don’t take your kids to gay doctors” and “fire gay teachers” fame, has deplored the idea of taking ideology to children directly. She has stated, ““Ever wonder what it would be like to re-create the world in your own image? Homosexual activists aren’t wondering–they’re doing it, and children are the tools”
And ““Kids should not be put in the confusing position of having a teacher they like and respect in many ways who’s also known to be practicing homosexual behavior. Of course that’s where many of our children in public schools today find themselves because the National Education Association not only allows but applauds and defends openly homosexuality and even transvestite teachers …”
“The fact is that no homosexuality should be in our schools, period. When people leave that behavior behind, then they might be qualified for a job involving children. Out and proud homosexuals should not have jobs that involve children. I know that’s not the current policy in many schools but it should be.”
I guess she deplores it unless she is the one doing it.
So. Fine. If she wants to do battle on the playground, let’s rumble.
Here is my counter program information sheet. Please feel free to print this out and hand it to any child you see holding a copy of Ms. Harvey’s version.
What does it mean to be “gay”? And what in the world is homophobia?
Questions and Answers for Christian Kids
You have probably heard the term “gay”. What does it mean?
It isn’t complicated. It means when a man falls in love with another man, or a woman falls in love with another woman. Almost all medical experts will tell you that people are just born that way. Even Lady Gaga says so.
What is “homophobia”? It sounds like a gnarly disease. And it kind of is. It is when someone is SO bent out of shape about gay people that they try to hurt them, or treat them unfairly or badly. Strangely, people who are afraid of gay people will call others “gay” to show how not gay they themselves are. Or are not. Funny thing is, the more they do that, the more everyone thinks that they ARE secretly gay. It’s weird.
So… does that mean that being “gay” is right? Being gay or being “straight” are neither wrong nor right. They just are. Being a nice gay person or a nice straight person is what is important.
So… is being homophobic ok too? Naw, not really. People who are afraid of others or put others down make life miserable. They want to make everyone the same as them and they will claim things like “Long ago people decided this…” or that they personally know what God intended. They don’t. But they will try to make other people unhappy while they try to prove that they do. They claim to know what all cultures have believed, but they ignore ones that believed other things. Did you know that there have been cultures that were mostly same gender couples, and ones where one man had lots of wives? There were. None of the past cultures were perfect. Far from it. So that is why we were given the gift of thought—to think out what is best for our culture today and make it fair for everyone.
Does the Bible say being gay is bad? No. It really doesn’t. Someday, you should read the whole Bible and find out what it said the laws should be at different times in history. The Bible was written by over 900 authors over a thousand some years. Some of its laws are barbaric, and some are inspired…like “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. There are stories in the Bible that people use to try and say gay people are bad. The people in those stories are trying to beat up angels or gorging themselves in a big Roman orgy..they are not anything like gay people you know. That is how people try to work the Bible though. If I wanted to, I could use it to prove the earth was flat, that slavery was OK, that tattoos are sins, that boys can’t have long hair and that girls should never wear jewelry. None of us believe those things. Here is something from the Bible you can believe (Hebrews 8), it tells us that God’s covenant… His law and contract with us… is written on our “hearts and minds”. That means, don’t read from a book as if it is a book of spells, look to your own heart and mind. And that is what you should do about gay people.
Does the Bible say being homophobic is bad? Yes, it does. Many, many times. Even Jesus said that people should not be homophobic. But homophobic people do not want to hear that. You know how they are…
What about bullying? Always wrong. Remember that thing about “do unto others” and looking deep in your heart and your mind? Bullying damages other kids and they might never get over it. Ever. If you stand by and let someone get bullied, look out, you may be next. Being mean is not cool, it is cowardly.
Sometimes you might think that the person being bullied “deserves it”. They may seem unattractive to you for some reason or act goofy, or act as if they don’t like you. It does not matter. You can’t know what has happened to them and the best thing you can do for them or anyone is to reach out… be a friend… and make their lives better.
It is not even OK to bully a homophobic person. Just feel sorry for them. As Jesus said, “They know not what they do.”
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Ok, especially to JustMe. I don’t believe it’s a personal attack, or one at all.
Your beliefs, views, opinions matter the same as the next ‘man.
For an example here, people of different beliefs entirely can love marry and spend their life together, when the differences become no more of a personal issue or attack than that of their shoe size difference, because they’re not; not when you respect, love and care for someone as a whole, (I know this from experience).
The problem I believe isn’t about differences, (In any sense of the word). But with the author of the pamphlets, the one who has crossed the line, the one who thinks that it’s OK to push her views into the life of children she may never meet or know, whose life she may impact, who may go on to judge themselves or others purely on what she’s put, children who may have no support or someone to stand up for them, (As you’ve stated you will).
Children who may seek desperate measures because they can’t see any other solution… that is what I believe the author, Rob is standing for.
Because differences don’t divide us, not really, it’s those that can’t see beyond them that do, and even more so when they cross that line.
(As for hate, I’ve seen and felt to much of it to direct it at another; but then it’s only fair to say judgment both ways too). Take care x
It’s amazing how these “christians” keep taking Matthew 19 out of context and ignoring what Jesus actually says there. Jesus talks about man-woman marriage in the context of answering a question from the pharisees on whether man-woman divorce is ever lawful. Jesus then goes on to refer to three distinct types of men who typically won’t marry (a woman) i.e. those who have been physically castrated, those who choose to be celibate such as priests, and those who are “eunuchs born that way”. So Jesus actually acknowledges that some men by their nature and birthright are not meant for heterosexual unions. And it’s stated as a simple fact of life with no condemnation or talk of people being unnatural or abominations. The Aramaic word Jesus used for eunuchs meant “trusted ones” and that was how unmarried men-servants were typically referred to because they were trusted by their employers to work in the bed chambers of the female household without any fear they would get the women pregnant or want to start (possibly rival) families of their own. So which part of BORN THAT WAY (Jesus’s words) is it so hard for these modern homophobic “christians” to understand?
“two men kissing just seems wrong” – pretty much sums up the root of every argument against homosexuality these people make. Sure seems like “strong feelings” being offered as proof to me, as that’s what faith is…a strong feeling. More Hypocritical, narcissistic bullshit from the religious “right”.
Shame !! The poor woman…..standing behind her bible and religion!
Shes probably a lesbian and terrified to come out. Bless XX
So, if Adam and Eve only had Kane and Able (2 males), how did they reproduce?
If you cannot even spell their names right, how can you possibly deserve an answer?
I am not sure who you are asking, Marty. The Bible actually indicated that Cain went somewhere else and took a wife there. Potentially creating a bit of a credibility gap in the whole Adam and Eve thing. (See the play Inherit the Wind for a full discussion of that topic).
The Old Testament is a metaphor ; nothing happened EXACTLY like it’s written in it. At a time where stories were told, not written, it was easier to remember them when details were exaggerate. So if there really is a God, he probably didn’t just create 2 human beings at first.
I find it very telling when a person starts a debate with t”he bible says”. What they are really saying is “I’ve been told what to think by people who tell the bible to me” and ” can’t think for myself”. You have every right to be upset at someone trying to spread hate to children. So many opponents of LGBT rights say if we embrace gay people as “normal” we will have to pass laws to protect gay kids in school. We wouldn’t have yo if they would stop teaching people that it is okay to discriminate. A wonderfully written piece. Divine blessings on you and yours.
The Bible was NOT written by 900 authors!! Making such an outrageous claim defeats the rest of the piece. The Bible (at least the Protestant one) is made up of 66 books, written by about 40 authors. As a moral guide, It is about as authoritative as the Sunday Funnies or Harry Potter.
The Jerusalem Bible — perhaps the first translation published after the dead sea scrolls were found — was executed by a a cross faith team (not just protestants & catholics) and has many many many footnotes indicating the “authors” are not the only people who worked on the writings. Passages may have started & ended by one writer, but the parts between done with such a different style they know it’s a different writer. 900 is MUCH more likely than just 40, especially after 2000 years.
Of course, all this just reinforces your closing statement, though. As authoritative as any work of religious fiction.
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Who the hell is this cow?
That is unfair to creatures of the bovine persuasion. Linda is, sadly, all too human.
Thanks Rob You seem a really nice person! Very mature and caring in your approach.
Although I do disagree with your take that the new covenant wipes out all the evil rules and punishments from the “god of love” of the old testament. For someone of the power or creation of a universe who can just change his mind like that and expect me to buy it. Just doesnt wash
I really do not want to be argumentative but guess its something I just feel very strongly about. I currently live in the Middle East where again it is religion ruining many peoples lives.
“who can just change his mind”
That isn’t the point at all.
” where again it is religion ruining many peoples lives.”
No, it is bad people ruining people lives, and some of them use religion as their excuse. Others use their contempt for people of faith as their excuse.
Hi Alan, I think you meant to say that you currently live in the Middle East where again it is religion RULING all your lives. I could be wrong about that but it seems to be what we are told here in North America. Seems a little counter-productive to FREE WILL. To insist that God only favours those that hate & distrust anyone who doesn’t believe what they do, doesn’t know a very loving God. Jesus was one man, who changed the world with one word (LOVE), why can’t 7 odd billion of us get it together?
This message isn’t just for you, you’re just one I picked at random to reply to for anyone who cares about the subject to read. And to all you people out there who respond with violence, hate & war to ‘get your point across’, KNOW this – God is everywhere, God is Our Creator (not just yours) and finally, there is no such thing as a HOLY WAR – just war and stupid violence. Any idiot can kill, only the intelligent & truely amazing can make this world a better place for us all.
I think you offered some of the best religious advice I have ever read: Read the Bible for yourself. I’ve found few of my religious friends have done so and usually will repeat what they were told as children without much critical thinking. By encouraging the curiousity to read for themselves you are letting them (1) understand their beliefs better and (2) possibly shape new ones that are more suited to them personally.
My view is that Christians will teach their faith as in their Bible as the word of god.Their books say being gay is wrong! Reference Romans 1 26 ,17 Based on their faith and freedom of religion they have a right to say this and a whole lot of other things.
The essence of righting this in society is to realise the the laws of many countries have surpassed the need of archaic religious laws. We need to stop the brainwashing of children to believe in a religion as archaic religions are no longer relevant or right in modern times and the society we live in.
To quote John Lennon… “No religion too” is an ideal..but probably not realistic. As a Christian, I can say that no, “their books” do not say “being gay is wrong”, nor is it a requirement to believe that as a Christian. That people have taken passages and construed them to be anti-gay is another issue, and that there is a legacy doing that is true. But legacy and misinterpretation are not truth, and that is the point.
Also, this is targeting those who do believe in Christianity. They have the power to make kids miserable and suicidal whether you think their religion is justified or not. I am addressing them within their faith, you can try to convince them to drop their faith all together. Bottom line, they need to stop hurting kids.
I total agree with your strategy addressing them within their faith. You are absolutley right as what you are doing is a far better action and effective than mine.
I cannot agree with you saying that the bible does not condemn homosexuality Just one reference Romans 1:26-27
New International Version (NIV)
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Now we can try to analyse this find work out some logic in say Ah! but sex with another man isnt a shameful act – is only the shameful acts that must receive penalty .Common you can try to fool yourself. Its pretty clear. As is that people who work on Sundays should be stoned and gluttons should commit suicide Just on reference
Proverbs 23:2 proclaims, “Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.”
Exodus 31 15 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.
They found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. … And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones…. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses. Numbers 15:32-56
So do we now say that we write off the old testament and dont believe that this was the word of the loving god. Or do we rewrite it to make it clear so we dont have to interpret it away.
I do not buy that there is a new covant with Jesus in eh New Testament If we say that eh old testament is teh word of god I cant accept that anyone with any love would want anyone stoned! Have you seen the stoning of Miriam M! I chose being gay and gave up my faith.
“Just one reference Romans 1:26-27″
And again, the fraud of taking this out of context. This is why atheists are as much a threat to the civil rights of GLBTQ people, if not more so, than conservative Christians.
Verses 18-25 clearly describe idolatry as the context for the subsequent passages, yet you, just like the homophobes, ignore that to promote a false and destructive belief. You endanger hundreds of millions of people so you can persecute thousands of millions more.
Further, Paul cannot be calling homosexuality unnatural, since it is natural. He actually describes people abandoning their innate sexual use of the opposite sex and since homosexuals have no innate sexual use of the opposite sex, Paul cannot be talking about homosexuals.
Instead, he is describing an equivalent to prison rape: religious prostitution. Priests and priestesses of fertility religions having sex with worshipers to appease their deity.
” I chose being gay and gave up my faith.”
So basically, you allowed bigoted people to first deprive you of your relationship with God, and then turn you into as much of a bigot as they are. They beat you twice.
I need no one to intercede between myself and the Divine, no book written long ago, no one can deprive me of anything I don’t give them the power to do so. Goddess and God are within me and without me, I’m happily as gay as a daffodil, harming none and if that makes baby Jesus cry so be it! I influence others only by example but ask none to follow. Happily I am a counsellor / psychologist in training I try to spread only happiness and if that’s a sin Woo! Hoo! this existence lark is wonderful!
I suppose anything more than the missionary style between a man and a woman married for at least 5 years, not taking longer in time than 4 minutes followed by strict prayer for at least an hour directly afterwords is a filthy sin and a perversion? People really need to get over the fascination with what others are doing between the sheets as long as it isn’t hurting another and IS consensual life is too short folks. God is not a sex therapist but maybe homophobes need one?
Hi Alan, Your faith is personal, and I would not try to disuade you from your path. You are taking the Romans quote out of context (and not your fault, there are plenty who do and use it to beat you with), but in context, it does not make a statement about modern gay people AT ALL. It is talking about Romans who reject God and worship idols…and then, according to the chapter, GOD gives them up to orgy behavior that is first heterosexual and then gets to the point that they are willing to “do anyone” (and that is where your passage is). If you are trying to apply this to our lives… you would have to theorize that first a person became and atheist and then it turned them gay. That passage is not about people who are naturally gay. Sorry…it just isn’t.
As for the New Covenant…. that occurs after Jesus… so stoning would not be part of the New Covenant…no.
Like I said, I am not trying to get you to find good in Christianity if you don’t want it. Personally, I do… but people have tainted it and misused it so, I can see why it is repelling to many. I just hope that you find something that inspires and drives you to a universal good. Best wishes…
“Their books say being gay is wrong! Reference Romans 1 26 ,17 ”
Speaking as a Christian, you are wrong. Frankly, you are engaged in fraud by ripping these two verses out of context. It is destructive for you to opine about this subject you clearly are under educated on.
And the rest of your post parallels the nasty things homophobes say about homosexuals, so you are operating on the same abysmal level, you simply target even more people than they do.
yeah … make that a flyer … amazingly good written 😀
unbelievable that some crazy people want to teach their kids hate and intolerance, while they could teach them love and understanding
What do you expect from from these inbred knockle draggers? If the BuyBull told them to to love their fellow men and women by burning them at the stake. .. Oh wait they already did that.
Rob, your ability to write so eloquently exactly how this touches me is incredible. Thank you.
The counter pamphlet is a nice idea, but the one suggested is WAY TOO WORDY!
Unfortunately, the author somehow forgets the age he would be writing to in his pamphlet.
I’m an adult and I nearly fell asleep reading it! It needs to be radically condensed.
Good journey.
Hmmmm, where have I seen BS like this before? OH YEAH, in history class. Replace “homosexual” and the like with “black” or a synonym for it and you have almost word for word what Bible thumpers like this woman said about black people way back when. What has happened since then? Black people have become teachers if they feel the calling to. Nothing else. No corruption of the youth, no mass anarchy, the world didn’t end. God didn’t start raining fire on mankind’s head. Life went on, as it always does. I yearn for the day when idiots like this get it through their thick skulls that they are the only ones who hate and judge like this. Kudos on your brilliant answers, good sir :).
Extremely well done, thanks for taking the time!
My only response to the Bible thumpers is to point out the Book actually has more to say IN SUPPORT of slavery than it does against gay folk, and as such isn’t much of a moral guide for our modern world. And besides, any god that would create Hell isn’t a god I can respect, much less love or worship…
But I’ve no doubt your approach is more easily digested…
Awesome response, won’t change any of what the bigots do but it will serve as a valuable tool for grassroots activists to use.
Really loved all this – wonderful job. One follow up question: To what are you referring when you say, “Even Jesus said that people should not be homophobic.” Jesus is not recorded as saying anything whatsoever about homosexuality, so I was just wondering. Thank you.
Jesus actually refers to a word in the Sermon on the Mount that was a kin to nerd/effeminacy . Also, his general principle was that people were not to take assessment of each other and judge, but to focus solely on themselves in numerous instances. He also referred to the treatment of Eunichs which is most likely what modern gay men would have been seen as at the time. Thanks for asking!.
It’s funny to watch non-Christian people act as if they know my God. I find it quite comical and extreemly sad at the same time. I don’t believe gays go to hell like the crackpot Westboro Church members, but I do believe unsaved sinners do. That’s up to you and God as to whether you fit in that catagory or not.
As one person suggested, go read the whole bible. But make sure you also take the time to sit quietly in prayer, truly connecting with the author of that book. It’s funny someone else claimed that Christians are brainwashed. Hell, I didn’t even go to church today and I’m a stubborn b$tch at times. I have often disagreed over the years by what was being taught and spoke up on it!
I make up MY OWN MIND based on the relationship I have with Jesus Christ. You see, this is the one thing that seems to be missing here…and the one thing that makes all the difference in the world. When your spirit convicts you as to right and wrong, and you are in prayer, you KNOW it’s from God and not all the crap you hear in the news, the pulpit or the internet…or in a pamphlet handed to you by a misguided soul.
Don’t put your labels on me simply because I do not agree with you. I am not a bad person. And although you don’t like it, I have every right to speak my mind, my truth and my conscious as you do. Everyone is all for free speech until it differs from you then they are quick to judge and label, and that is WRONG!
Just a little side note about me: I have two gay cousins, one with whom I lived with and he knows that although I don’t agree with him, I love him because he’s family. Today I am saying goodbye to the two gay men who have lived next door to me for a long time. They will be missed, and we have told them so. They have been good neighbors. I’ve had co-workers who are gay/lesbian, and on and on…I have never treated one of them differently than the straight person standing next to them. I do not believe in bullying for ANY reason and I will stand next to you and fight this battle until it ends!
Having said all of that, and getting back to this article, if you are gay OR straight, I don’t agree with handing out pamplets to any child. If I ever caught you handing yours to my child without my permission, I’d be in your face faster than you can say, “Oh crap, RUN!”
By the way, You should go look up the word “eunich”. You are wrong, but nice spin.
I know that some of you will understand where I’m coming from, even if you don’t agree. And I know that some will just respond and be hateful. It’s ok. I know I can’t change your bitter heart. Throw your stones, you have no affect on me.
God bless you all and by the way, I don’t come back to see your comments or open emails either. I know who I am, I know what I believe and nothing you say can sway me. I heard your side, now you’ve heard mine. Thanks for reading.
If you believe that homosexuality is a sin, then you are not much of a Christian, to begin with. After all, Jesus’ own test for false teachers, in Matthew 7:15-23, shows that everyone who teaches ‘homosexuality is sin’ is a false teacher (because that belief bears only evil fruit), and that they are not followers of Christ.
“If I ever caught you handing yours to my child without my permission, I’d be in your face faster than you can say, “Oh crap, RUN!””
Nice threat of violence there, but that is not the way Christ requires his followers to behave.
‘By the way, You should go look up the word “eunich”. You are wrong, but nice spin. ”
No, actually. And the fact that you spelled the word wrong doesn’t help you.
‘ by the way, I don’t come back to see your comments or open emails either. I know who I am, I know what I believe and nothing you say can sway me. I heard your side, now you’ve heard mine. Thanks for reading.”
So your whole post was an exercise in feeding your ego. That is the sin of pride. The mod here may as well delete your post and block you from posting in the future, since you are only interested in shouting your point of view, and not interested in anything anyone else has to say – which also violates Christ’s commands.
Reblogged this on Gotche96's Blog.
Rob, this is a perfectly amazing response to Ms. Harvey’s ignorance and stupidity. I pray to God that there are no schools crazy enough to take her up on her offer of printing and distributing such garbage. I don’t want to think of the damage that might be caused to our children. On the other hand yours should be handed out to not only children but adults as well as it only speaks of kindness and no judgements. Love you!!
How ignorant and mean-spirited! But your answers are terrific – well done!
I can’t believe these people. What is wrong with them? I can’t believe that this garbage would be given to children. Kids you just know some of whom will be gay or have gay people in their families.
And I loved your response. It really shouldn’t be that complicated. I remember my nephew talking with one of my friends, who had given him a pair of boxing gloves and was practising sparing. He was about 10 I think. “You’re a boy right?” “Yep.” “But you used to be a girl?” “Yep.” “Ok, can we go again?” “Yep.” He’s a teenager now and recently he worked out one of his friends had a crush on him, but he handled it really well. Hooked the kid up with Rainbow Youth and went with him to he talk with his parents. Offered to help him find a real boyfriend. And most importantly has been instrumental in making it okay with their other friends. This all happened without adult intervention from his mother, aunts or uncles. Just growing up in a godless openly queer family and watching people sort out their lives. When it comes to kids, keep it simple and keep it kind – they turn out okay.
“Strong feelings are not proof of anything.” Well, that says a lot, doesn’t it? There is no “proof” that God ever said anything, since it was just ordinary, fallible humans that actually said or wrote anything.
Why, why, why do people continue to teach others, especially their kids, that they have the right to pass judgement on, or dictate what is right and wrong to, anyone else? If someone is gay, straight, black, white or whatever…. if it is not personally affecting another person, whose business is it what they do?
Ugh, the stupidity just kills me!!!
W.
Because they are Christholes thats why, i hope they all fuck around behind each others backs and yes, contract aids. That would be sweet. Sweet and just.