Judge orders 'gay' agenda taught to Christian children

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | February 24, 2007 | Bob Unruh

[Man50D]

A federal judge in Massachusetts has ordered the "gay" agenda taught to Christians who attend a public school in Massachusetts, finding that they need the teachings to be "engaged and productive citizens."

U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf yesterday dismissed a civil rights lawsuit brought by David Parker, ordering that it is reasonable, indeed there is an obligation, for public schools to teach young children to accept and endorse homosexuality.

Wolf essentially adopted the reasoning in a brief submitted by a number of homosexual-advocacy groups, who said "the rights of religious freedom and parental control over the upbringing of children … would undermine teaching and learning…"

David and Tonia Parker and Joseph and Robin Wirthlin, who have children of school age in Lexington, Mass., brought the lawsuit. They alleged district officials and staff at Estabrook Elementary School violated state law and civil rights by indoctrinating their children about a lifestyle they, as Christians, teach is immoral.

"Wolf's ruling is every parent's nightmare. It goes to extraordinary lengths to legitimize and reinforce the 'right' (and even the duty) of schools to normalize homosexual behavior to even the youngest of children," said a statement from the pro-family group Mass Resistance.

It also is making available background information about the lengthy dispute.

"In the ruling, Wolf makes the absurd claim that normalizing homosexuality to young children is 'reasonably related to the goals of preparing students to become engaged and productive citizens in our democracy.' According to Wolf, this means teaching 'diversity' which includes 'differences in sexual orientation.'

"In addition, Wolf makes the odious statement that the Parkers' only options are (1) send their kids to a private school, (2) home-school their kids, or (3) elect a majority of people to the School Committee who agree with them. Can you imagine a federal judge in the Civil Rights era telling blacks the same thing – that if they can't be served at a lunch counter they should just start their own restaurant, or elect a city council to pass laws that reflect the U.S. Constitution?" the organization said.

Lawyers for the families said they already had planned an appeal of the judge's opinion.

But Wolf's claims followed very closely the reasoning submitted earlier in a brief by Human Rights Campaign, the ACLU, Massachusetts Teachers Association, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders and other advocates for the "gay" agenda.

Earlier, Mass Resistance President Brian Camenker had wondered why such national groups were "so interested in a parent's right to decide what moral issues are taught to his children by adults in elementary schools, especially regarding

"They must see David Parker's case as quite a threat to their ability to push their message on children," he had said. His organization has posted information about the judge's ruling on the Internet for readers to review

But the judge concluded that even allowing Christians to withdraw their children from classes or portions of classes where the religious beliefs were being violated wasn't a reasonable expectation.

"An exodus from class when issues of homosexuality or same-sex marriage are to be discussed could send the message that gays, lesbians, and the children of same-sex parents are inferior and, therefore, have a damaging effect on those students," he opined.

"Under the Constitution public schools are entitled to teach anything that is reasonably related to the goals of preparing students to become engaged and productive citizens in our democracy," the judge wrote. "Diversity is a hallmark of our nation. It is increasingly evident that our diversity includes differences in sexual orientation."

And, he said, since history "includes instances of … official discrimination against gays and lesbians … it is reasonable for public educators to teach elementary school students … different sexual orientations."

If they disagree, "the Parkers and Wirthlins may send their children to a private school …[or] may also educate their children at home," the judge said.

Parker was arrested and jailed in Lexington in April 2005 over his request – and the school's refusal – to notify him when adults discuss homosexuality or transgenderism with his 6-year-old kindergartner. That despite a state law requiring such notification.

The incident made news around the nation and even Gov. Mitt Romney agreed with Parker.

However, in April 2006 the same school presented the book "King and King," about homosexual romances and marriage, to second-graders and again refused to provide notification.

Parker and other parents followed with the federal civil rights lawsuit, alleging school officials were refusing to follow state law.

Just days later, David Parker's son, Jacob, was beaten up at Estabrook Elementary, officials said. MassResistance said a group of 8-10 kids surrounded him and took him out of sight of "patrolling aides," then pummeled and beat him.

"The state must fight 'discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation' in ways that 'do not perpetuate stereotypes,'" the lawyers for the school district had argued at an earlier motions hearing. They also explained to the judge that, in their opinion, parents have no right to control what ideas the school presents to elementary schoolchildren.

"David Parker's dilemma … threatens the parental rights and religious freedom of every Massachusetts parent, and indirectly every parent in America," said John Haskins of the Parents' Rights Coalition.

"As the Lexington schools themselves are arguing, the state's right to force pro-homosexuality indoctrination on other people's children arises directly from former Gov. Mitt Romney's nakedly false and unconstitutional declaration that homosexual marriage is now legal."

Haskins said when the Massachusetts state Supreme Court demanded homosexual marriages in the state, it didn't have the constitutional or legal authority to order the governor to act or to order the Legislature to make any changes, and the creation of same-sex marriages in Massachusetts actually was accomplished by executive order from Romney.

[rabscuttle385]

Okay, I thought he was agreeing with the judge. Gah. Meh. I'm not voting for Romney, either way.

[Popman]

...and the creation of same-sex marriages in Massachusetts actually was accomplished by executive order from Romney.

What just a minute!!!

Mitt Romney is a true blue conservative. Isn't he? < /sar

[Calpernia]

There are freepers here that know how to look up who appointed judges. I'm sure they will be along. I'm sending that tidbit out on my mass mailing as soon as it is posted.

[Froufrou]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1789557/posts

That ping made me so angry I could change my religion. I'm Methodist and the 'open hearts, open minds, open doors' thing has been tough to live with sometimes.

But forcing down someone's throat [no pun intended,] and children in particular, is vile.

[raybbr]

Add Time：2006-5-12 7:49:11 Hit：

      

On the morning of May 10th, Mr. Mark L. Wolf, a U.S. District Judge for the District of Massachusetts visited DMU. Prof. Sun Yuqing, Vice-President of DMU had a brief meeting with Mr. Mark L. Wolf. Afterwards, Mr. Mark L. Wolf delivered a lecture on “The role of lawyers in the American judicial process and American courts in International Conference Hall of DMU. About 100 teachers and students from Law College attended the lecture. After the lecture, Mr. Mark L. Wolf also answered the questions from the students.

Wondering what DMU is:

Dalian Maritime University (DMU) is one of the largest and best maritime universities. It is a key maritime institution under the Ministry of Communications, People Republic of China. DMU’s high international reputation as an excellent center of maritime education and training has been recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)...     

[JoeSixPack1]

Why wait? Maybe you missed it?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,141198,00.html

[madameguinot]

Baaaaa.(sound of sheep).Just as long as their kiddies' lunches don't have transfats, and the school has buzzers on the doors so noone can get in, they're 'safe'!!!??

[freeangel]

"Christians in Mass."

Unfortunately, I believe that there are very few "Christians" left who actually follow teachings of the bible. They wouldn't know evil if it" hit them upside the head"--and this judge has literally done that to them and their children..

[deaconjim]

Well, that puts me one step ahead of him. We're already homeschooling our kids, and this only reinforces our decision.

What do you want to bet it's only a matter of time before they try to force homeschoolers to teach this poison as well?

[Shady]

Chief District Judge, since January 2, 2006

Appointed 1985 by President Reagan

[YOUGOTIT]

Another black robed dictator is following in the footsteps of his Gods Hitler and Stalin.

[visualops]

Under the Constitution public schools are entitled to teach anything

I wasn't aware the Constitution said anything about public schools at all.

[hocndoc]

Two people came to Texas with a civil union and split. Our Supremes informed the judge that there was no case, since our State didn't recognize the contract.

[Smokin' Joe]

There was a time when the humble villagers would have marched on the castle, with primitive lighting devices and rudimentary agricultural implements and made their disfavor apparent. When they went home, the place would be under new management.

Pity.

This ruling calls for a massive act of civil disobedience, preferably nonviolent.

Massachusetts is a long way from the old "Tea Party" days.

[MuttTheHoople]

That ping made me so angry I could change my religion. I'm Methodist and the 'open hearts, open minds, open doors' thing has been tough to live with sometimes. I actually did. Though my United Methodist church was conservative and bible-believing, I felt as though we were simply a cash cow for the State conference so they could fund their leftist agenda. When we moved out of Jackson, MS down to Terry, MS (about 20 miles south), we started shopping other churches. After visiting a couple of Baptist churches, we settled on a Congregational Methodist church. The Congregational Methodists have been around for 150 years, but they've only recently started moving out of the backcountry and into the suburbs (I know I know, you probably think the entire State of Mississippi is "back country", but I digress 8^D). They adhere to Methodist doctrine of our founder John Wesley, but they're much more conservative. You might want to explore going to a Congregational Methodist, or Wesleyan, or even a Church of God. No need using your tithe to fund the Iraq anti-War movement.

[NewHampshireDuo]

I believe that there has been one divorce in MA. Got a little press.

[NewHampshireDuo]

E.g. Episcopal and UCC?

[Calpernia]

Shady found it. See post 30

[Froufrou]

Thank you Mutt! Your concerns are mirror-image to my thoughts/fears. My BIL and SIL lived in Quitman. They are Baptists.

I went to a dear friend's funeral at a Baptist church not long ago and was totally ostracized. It's a large church, but still; you get the picture. I felt the people were jockeying for position, not where to sit so much as with whom to sit. At a FUNERAL! Shame on me for scorning.

I haven't tithed for the reasons you say. I am going to look for a church as you describe. Thank you again!

[tupac]

They come to mind.