So to follow up on the overt discrimination now emblazoned in the California Constitution comes this: A ruling that religious schools can discriminate against students "because they are not a private business." I won't even get into the question of whether or not these institutions are a business except to say that my Sister attended a religious high school and I've never seen an obsession with "money for the Lord's children" quite like that before. $1 million-dollar football field? Yes!
The Lutheran school expelled two 16-year-old girls for having "a bond of intimacy" that was "characteristic of a lesbian relationship." John McKay, who represented the Riverside County-based California Lutheran High School, said the ruling correctly acknowledged that the school's purpose was to "teach Christian values in a Christian setting pursuant to a Christian code of conduct."
I'm sorry, what about the value of tolerance and acknowledging that, as the Bible says, we are "all god's children?" Apparently that only applies when you're exactly like everyone else. There was a time in America when being left-handed was sinful. When they'd drag suspected witches out into a river to test their "witchness." If they floated, they were witches and killed. If they sank, they weren't witches, but they died anyway. How, exactly, is one to prove any of these things? The school's answer: Myspace!
Yes, an Administrator logged on and discovered that one girl was labeled "bisexual" and the other "not sure." The Principal called them in and asked the girls separately, "Have you ever touched [Jane Doe] in . . . any inappropriate ways?" WHAT?
How is this ok?!?! We've got discrimination, invasion of privacy, near sexual assualt and yet it's ok for the religious school to do this? I'm beyond appalled. Naturally, the entire conversation has surrounded the "poor school" who is just trying to spread their "Christian values." How about the girls? Isn't it psychologically damaging to be called "sinful" when you're 16? To be publicly humiliated in school and then verbally accosted by a powerful adult figure? Alas, apparently it's fine if they're gay.
Once again, we're on a very slippery slope here. First and foremost, there is no way to PROVE these allegations and even if there were, shouldn't a non-profit institution that is exempt from paying taxes to the government because they are "purpose-driven" be required to meet government standards of discrimination? Not to mention the irony of the fact that they would discriminate based upon something that cannot be outwardly seen (ie. sexual orientation) when they themselves cannot tangibly prove their faith. Still, everyone - the state, schools, businesses and the like - are forced to both accept this diversity and oftentimes embrace it.
Practice what you preach. Practice. What. You. Preach.
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Kyle Taylor
Special thanks to Jill for forwarding this article to me.
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