School orders families to sign "biblical morality pledge".

[Baader-Meinhof Gruppe]

I'm not asking anything...I'm simply stating that the idea that being gay is the "ultra-sin" is erroneous and stupid. And if this school really wanted to be "pure", they'd exclude all sinners.

Isn't everyone a sinner according to Christianity?

Not Jesus. Mary was born without sin, but some will debate that she was free of sin too. Of course God is free of sin, even though God has killed people which is kind of a sin and all...

[Euronion]

They haven't, because according to the article they haven't received any.

Salon noted that in spite of the exclusionary policy, Myrtle Grove will still be eligible for taxpayer-funded government subsidies in 2014.

Salon noted that in spite of the exclusionary policy, Myrtle Grove will still be eligible for taxpayer-funded government subsidies in 2014.

You could interpret it either way:
A) They receive subsidies now and will still be eligible to receive them in 2014
B) They have no received subsidies as the words "still be eligible" doesn't mean that they have taken these subsidies or have taken them before.

Eligibility isn't synonymous with Received. I can be eligible for tax returns, the vote, Social Security, but that doesn't mean I take part or have received them. You can interpret it either way but until we have a clearer article on the matter I guess it could go either way. Bottom line is that the US Supreme Court has said that as long as the subsidies are used for secular activities it is okay for them to receive such subsidies.

[Saint Kitten]

I'm not asking anything...I'm simply stating that the idea that being gay is the "ultra-sin" is erroneous and stupid. And if this school really wanted to be "pure", they'd exclude all sinners.

Perhaps it is.

If they excluded all sinners then no one would go. You realize this, correct?

[Vazdania]

You are actually funding math english physical education and classes like it.

Government isn't entangled in this.

It is because they are funding teachers to teach kids who were forced to sign this. It is entangled. They didn't sign a check for the pledge, but they are funding the teachers who tell these kids they have to sign it to get in the school.

Kids aren't forced to sign this. They have the public school option.

[Llamalandia]

Link.

The letter.

A Christian private school in Wilmington, NC has announced that it has adopted a so-called “Biblical Morality Policy” that allows the school to expel or refuse to admit LGBT children or children from families with LGBT members. According to Salon.com, the letter was written by Myrtle Grove Christian School President J. Stacy Miller.

The letter (embedded here) begins by evoking the childhood game “Duck Duck Goose.”

“Do you remember playing circle games like ‘Duck Duck Goose’ in elementary school?” Miller asked. “In order to form a circle, we would gather in close together, hold hands, and then back up away from the center” and form a circle.

“If we move to far from the center, we can’t hold hands anymore,” the principal warned.

He went on to say that all families with children at Myrtle Grove must sign the “Biblical Morality Policy,” swearing not to participate in, support or affirm “sexual immorality, homosexual activity, or bisexual activity; promoting such practices; or being unable to support the moral principles of the school.”

Compliance with the anti-LGBT policy will enable the school, he said, will help “students to develop a biblical understanding of morality and to pursue a life that is governed by the biblical moral code.”

“For this reason,” said Miller, “the school reserves the right, within its sole discretion, to refuse admission of an applicant or to discontinue enrollment of a student if the atmosphere or conduct within a particular home or the activities of the student are counter to or are in opposition to the biblical lifestyle the school teaches.”

Salon noted that in spite of the exclusionary policy, Myrtle Grove will still be eligible for taxpayer-funded government subsidies in 2014.

To sum up, a private school in North Carolina has adopted a policy that allows them to expel or refuse to admit sexual and gender minority students, or students from families with sexual and gender minority members. Their reasoning? Bible quotes and a terribly put-together metaphor about duck-duck-goose.

Honestly, isn't this illegal? Are private schools exempt from the Civil Rights Act? They shouldn't be. And isn't the school continuing to be open to government subsidies blatantly unconstitutional?

Yep pretty much they, although, generally, I think there may some state laws (though apparently not in NC) that do cover discrimination of this type by even private or parochial schools, but yeah, as long as though don't receive federal funds theyre basically untouchable. But so what, just send your kids to another school if you don't like pledge seems simple enough to me, now if this were a public school I would be shouting for the aclu immediately :)

[Geilinor]

Isn't everyone a sinner according to Christianity?

Not Jesus. Mary was born without sin, but some will debate that she was free of sin too. Of course God is free of sin, even though God has killed people which is kind of a sin and all...

That's the joke. If the school really wanted to exclude sinners, they'd ban everyone and close down.

[Saint Kitten]

It is because they are funding teachers to teach kids who were forced to sign this. It is entangled. They didn't sign a check for the pledge, but they are funding the teachers who tell these kids they have to sign it to get in the school.

Kids aren't forced to sign this. They have the public school option.

They are if they want to go in

[Geilinor]

It is because they are funding teachers to teach kids who were forced to sign this. It is entangled. They didn't sign a check for the pledge, but they are funding the teachers who tell these kids they have to sign it to get in the school.

Kids aren't forced to sign this. They have the public school option.

Not if their parents insist on brainwashing them.

[Vazdania]

Kids aren't forced to sign this. They have the public school option.

They are if they want to go in

They still have the public school option.

[Vazdania]

Kids aren't forced to sign this. They have the public school option.

Not if their parents insist on brainwashing them.

They have the public school option.

[Euronion]

I'm not asking anything...I'm simply stating that the idea that being gay is the "ultra-sin" is erroneous and stupid. And if this school really wanted to be "pure", they'd exclude all sinners.

Isn't everyone a sinner according to Christianity?

Yes because the definition of sin is something that doesn't bring you closer to God. Being a sinner isn't as negative as some people pitch it to be. It is my opinion that people (some Christians) have misinterpreted the cornerstone of Christianity. The Cornerstone of Christianity is not sin but forgiveness. To me, the idea behind sin is "We all make mistakes, none of us are perfect, so we should try and forgive others for their misdeeds just as we'd like God to forgive us for our misdeeds"

[Saint Kitten]

They are if they want to go in

They still have the public school option.

That's not the point silly, we are talking about kids going to the school. Not The ones smart enough not too

[Pangus]

Other then the fact that they are still getting government benefits I say who cares. If your a pro-LGBT family would you really want to continue sending your kid to this school? If all the bigots want to isolate themselves then let them, makes it easier to recognize them.

And I hear it now; "But what about those kids, they are having this bigoted ideology forced into them." To that I say it's already happening to them at home anyways. And when they become teenagers and go through that rebellious phase they'll teach themselves about the other side and hopefully something will stick. If not then it wouldn't of stuck anyways so screw'em.

[Vazdania]

They still have the public school option.

That's not the point silly, we are talking about kids going to the school. The the ones smart enough not too

I'm not sure that's valid.

The students are underage and therefore subject to what school their parents want them to attend.

[Baader-Meinhof Gruppe]

Not Jesus. Mary was born without sin, but some will debate that she was free of sin too. Of course God is free of sin, even though God has killed people which is kind of a sin and all...

That's the joke. If the school really wanted to exclude sinners, they'd ban everyone and close down.

But what if Jesus comes back and wants to attend? Nah, Jesus preached essentially the opposite of what they preach. What with all that "love thy neighbor" communist crap?

[Saint Kitten]

That's not the point silly, we are talking about kids going to the school. The the ones smart enough not too

I'm not sure that's valid.

The students are underage and therefore subject to what school their parents want them to attend.

Don't derail this. We are talking about the govt sending over $ to a school that makes the kids sign a pledge saying they aren't gay, and if they are they will be kicked out. That is government entanglement. Financially supporting a school that has a very strict anti-homosexuality policy.

[Benuty]

I'm not sure that's valid.

The students are underage and therefore subject to what school their parents want them to attend.

Don't derail this. We are talking about the govt sending over $ to a school that makes the kids sign a pledge saying they aren't gay, and if they are they will be kicked out. That is government entanglement. Financially supporting a school that has a very strict anti-homosexuality policy.

There is a fairly easy solution to this....yet everyone seems to busy to notice it.

[Geilinor]

That's not the point silly, we are talking about kids going to the school. The the ones smart enough not too

I'm not sure that's valid.

The students are underage and therefore subject to what school their parents want them to attend.

Are you familiar with the terms "indoctrination" and "brainwashing"?

[Arkandros]

First off- I'm all about freedom of expression. It's great, and freedom of expression works fine if everyone is respectful. However, when people do stupid stuff like this- impinging on others' freedoms-there needs to be some system to prevent that. It's basically the same principle as yelling fire in a movie theater- its illegal because people could get hurt. As far as I'm concerned, as long as you aren't hurting someone else with your beliefs, then whatever. With regards to this school- sure, let them have their "morality pledge". As long as they set their policy and stick to it, I don't care. They aren't reaching out and trying to force their values. If you don't like their ideals, don't send your kid. Their right to set their policy. Should they receive government funding? No way. The only groups that should receive any government funding, in my opinion, are government controlled programs, not private groups. (different issue). let businesses, like private schools, succeed or fail on their own merits (or lack thereof).

[Saint Kitten]

Don't derail this. We are talking about the govt sending over $ to a school that makes the kids sign a pledge saying they aren't gay, and if they are they will be kicked out. That is government entanglement. Financially supporting a school that has a very strict anti-homosexuality policy.

There is a fairly easy solution to this....yet everyone seems too busy to notice it.

Or too ignorant

[Geilinor]

If your a pro-LGBT family would you really want to continue sending your kid to this school?

Anti-LGBT families can have LGBT children.

[Des-Bal]

Are you familiar with the terms "indoctrination" and "brainwashing"?

And you're upset that they're being indoctrinated and brainwashed with someone else's ideologies?

[Vazdania]

I'm not sure that's valid.

The students are underage and therefore subject to what school their parents want them to attend.

Don't derail this. We are talking about the govt sending over $ to a school that makes the kids sign a pledge saying they aren't gay, and if they are they will be kicked out. That is government entanglement. Financially supporting a school that has a very strict anti-homosexuality policy.

For the 10000th time. The funds are used for things like math english and physical education. The money's primary effect neither advances nor restricts religious practice.

No there is no government entanglement in this situation.

[Benuty]

There is a fairly easy solution to this....yet everyone seems too busy to notice it.

Or too ignorant

Well...I wouldn't go so far to call Vazdania that he seems to be merely dodging the bullet of it being brought up.

[Vazdania]

I'm not sure that's valid.

The students are underage and therefore subject to what school their parents want them to attend.

Are you familiar with the terms "indoctrination" and "brainwashing"?

Yes. I don't see the children being brainwashed or indoctrinated here. Keep your secular morality to yourself.