totally OT- for those concerned about bullying of gay kids in schools

I agree with you too, Nik!

That is awful. I can't think of a more shame-based, ineffective way to get a message across. No one should be bullied like that or made to feel ashamed of who they are. Wow.

I have a few comments.

1. There were two bands which performed at the assembly. The principal of the school, Mike Cooper (who had planned his resignation long before this event took place), recommended the district invite the two bands. Nobody made any calls regarding the bands. In short-they didn't get any information about their background. Rob Zombie could have performed at the event. Later in the day, Jim Stanton (superintendent) gave a contrary message of tolerance. He also told the students the performance was a mistake and did not conform to the district's teaching of tolerance. The board meeting this past Tuesday reportedly had Stanton reading preposed reforms that include parental notification and more extensive review of performers. 

2. The phrase "separation of church and state" is derived from a letter written by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802 to Baptists from Danbury, Connecticut and published in a Massachusetts newspaper soon thereafter. In that letter, referencing the First Amendment, Jefferson writes:  Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof", thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. The phrase "separation of church and state" itself does not appear in the United States Constitution.

3. God gave Moses a list of instructions to carry to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. Leviticus in chapter 18 deals with a number of sexual activities considered ‘unclean’ or ‘abominable’. The chapter is primarily concerned with incest, however, it does contain laws related to *******ity and “lying with a man as with a woman".  The reference in verse 22 has been a focus of debate among Christians, Jews and other groups. Leviticus 18 is paralleled with chapter 20 (that chapter has more emphasis on punishment). Paul did have an encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, which can be found in the book of Acts. References to homosexuality, sexual immorality, murder, strife, dangers of the tongue, drunkardness, lewdness, etc. can be found throughout the Epistles in the New Testament.

4. I have a unique perspective. There are 9 pastors in my family. I have been a worship/music leader. At one point was an ordained minister, attended Bible college, and I have two gay brothers.

I'm not sure what your point is.  Yes, references to homosexuality can be found in the Bible.  That does not mean students should be told in an assembly that homosexuality should be against the law or that gay people will die before the age of 42.

I guess my point is people are getting riled up over a bunch of stuff in this thread...so I grabbed a few that stuck out and commented.

I despise proselytizing.

 You know even as a Christian, I would tend to agree with you about that.

I think forcing your religion or opinion on folks is just plain wrong. The bible says to evangelize, yes, but I take that more in the sense of simply "spreading the good news" through our works and how we live and behave. In my life I strive to live out my beliefs, not to convert anybody but so that someone might say, "Hey...if this is an example of one of those 'followers of Jesus' I think Jesus might just be ok." 

It's the same philosophy I approach life as post-op. I want to be that one person people know who succeeded in getting their act together to counteract all those "My cousin's best friends sisters baby daddy's" who "gained ALL their weight back."

(Way to bring it back on topic, Nik! LOL)

Funny, I think I have the same thoughts on evangelizing.  It should be about drawing people in, not about forcing your beliefs on any individual or groups of people.  Like with all things, there are those who abuse their position and take evangelism to an unsavory level.  To me that's just distasteful.

reading the bible and being closer to god can makes us  feel more at peace...but what happens if you read the bible and after you put it down, you judge, hate, discriminate and ridicule others.. as far as i know that bible states that you should not do any of this things.. yet people do...  there is no point in being a "devoted christian" when your not doing what the bible tells you to do... somewhere in the bible it says " love thy neighboor"

i love my neighboor.. i dont care if he/she is gay, black/white/mexican/chinnesse, male or female or trasnsexual...

its very upsetting to hear people talk about how they are such good christians and yet they openly hurt other people.. 
 
its not about what kind of christian you are but about what kind of person you are....WE SHOULD ALL LEARN MORE TOLERANCE..

when we are knocking on heavens door asking to be let in.. and the answer is no, your going to wonder why not and then the way you hurt others is going to be first in the list..

im not talking about anyone in this thread or other threads im talking about the admistrators in this school.. how can they do this? its unbelivable to me that they are trying to teach kids the the "being gay is wrong" by foul means.. by being hateful towards others...

just plain wrong...

I think Christians are just like anyone else.  Some are good people, kind people, loving people, and some are not.

There have always been people that use religion as an excuse to put others down or hurt others in some way.  And I don't think that's what most Christians do.

I think we should be teaching kids tolerance in school.  If kids believe homosexuality is wrong, that's fine, they don't have to engage in any same sex relationships.  But they should still treat other kids at school with kindness and respect.  And that's what schools should be teaching..