Insensitive Sensivity Training

September 23, 2003 | Rick J. Radecki

[Dan Evans]

Dear Dan,

I CAN tell you that we are NOT "homophobes" or "intolerant zealots" in that we DO believe in absolute truth--that is, the same absolute truth that is found in what we believe to be inerrant scripture (the historically-accurate, manuscript-supported, and, quite frankly, common-sensical, too, traditional Bible).

We are in agreement 100%. I suspect you were shooting for the other guy -- post #3 that was deleted by the moderator. I'm on your side.

[jackbob]

I've read the article, and all the replies up to this point. Is there something missing here. If all this Sensitivity Training is nothing more that a bit of indoctrination, something we all face daily, then why such opposition? Or is there more to the story than is being explicitly said thus far?

The article does not detail exactly what the training will consist of. My imagination runs wild. Sensitivity training, as opposed to encounter sessions (of the late 60s variety), as I recall it, involve self exploratory, personal participation. If that be the case, no matter how much I would want to be a foster parent, there is no way I would become one.

Tell me I'm wrong.......

[JonathansMommie]

Thanks for the ping

[EdReform]

Bump & Ping

[DesertGOP]

Dear Jackbob,

"...involve self exploratory, personal participation. If that be the case, no matter how much I would want to be a..."

You hit the proverbial nail on the head. Just like any other "parental training" classes we are already required to participate in for foster care certification, these new "sensitivity training" classes would also involve much "self-exploratory" and "personal participation"--including, in all likelihood, hypothetical situations of which we could be expected to explain in detail (in essay format) how we should encourage a child placed into our care who strongly displays an urge to dress like a girl (if he's a boy) or dress like a boy (if she's a girl).

In other words, we will be expected to take what we learn in class and apply it in a "practical way" based on the scenarios that the state (and, in this case, also San Bernardino County) present to us and according to how the law is drawn up and applied.

I agree with you that, if it was simply a matter of sitting there in a chair and listening to some child sexual orientation "expert" recite some studies or something, that's not much of a challenge to tolerate; however, when it involves having homework (which these classes always provide) to do that instructs us how we should encourage a child to continue with whatever transsexual, bisexual or homosexual behaviors they display on a regular basis, that's where families like ours have to draw the line; because, otherwise, we will, in essence, be telling the state and the county that, "Yes, we do believe in compromising our traditional values when it comes to sexual orientation and would never think of expressing any opposition to the same."

Call me an intolerant, bigotted religious zealot, but my wife and I just won't go there, nor would expect others to do the same.

Bottom line: My wife and I are NOT what the media might refer to as "right-wing nutcases." Honest! Were decent, hardworking, dependable and loving parents who just answer to a "higher authority," if you know what I mean; so, instead of making a stink with the state or the county and attending these classes with the purpose of disrupting them, we choose simply to drop out of the foster care/adoption system altogether, as opposed to go against core Christian beliefs (which, by the way, are not outdated as others would have you to belive; after all, absolute truth does, indeed, stand the test of time, does it not?).

It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world, is it not?

DesertGOP
Victorville, CA