Comments on: MN Parents Action League Obstructs Bullying Prevention with Help of Ex-Gay Groups

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 30 May 2018 18:27:03 +0000

As to your call for NARTH and Exodus to do the responsible thing, I fear it will fall on deaf ears. NARTH seems incapable of seeing how they do anything but good. The people there give new meaning to the term “rationalization.”
As much as I consider the US to be a far to litigious a society. I think a lawsuit would be about the only way to get them to own up to their responsibilities in this matter.

By: Lynn David

Lynn David — Wed, 30 May 2018 18:27:03 +0000

It is amazing the amount of now arcane and out-dated science an anti-gay group will gladly swallow to support their bigotry.

Warren….. Why do PAL people think what they think? Many reasons probably, but the intellectual source nearly always comes back to NARTH or Exodus.

There will always be some sort of intellectual source for holding a bigotry towards gay people. If not NARTH or Exodus, they will fall back to some other source, even those which have been thorougly debunked like Cameron. And if not Cameron, then there is always an ultimate and undeniable source for Christrians.

By: MIchael Bussee

MIchael Bussee — Wed, 30 May 2018 18:27:03 +0000

Tell the truth, Exodus!

“You promote change as happening more frequently than it actually does, and I believe you know it… You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.~ Warren Throckmorton

“Transparently and humbly address the perception that you have lied about change.” ~ Wendy Gritter, Exodus Keynote address

By: Jayhuck

Jayhuck — Wed, 30 May 2018 18:27:03 +0000

Here is another article detailing a history of conservative Christian folk, lying, distorting and repressing truth in this school district: Anoka-Hennepin schools' long history in the culture war

By: David

David — Wed, 30 May 2018 18:27:03 +0000

It amazes me that these Christians are unable to apply the Mary Magdalene story to this situation. As we all know, Jesus intervened and risked his own life to save Magdalene from a violent mob. Now it is true that he admonished her to “go and sin no more” but he did so only after the mob had dispersed and Magdalene was safe. He did not berate Magdalene about her sex life while stones were hurtling toward her body, and he didn’t fret that protecting her from the mob might be seen as advancing a pro-prostitution agenda.
So far as I know, not a single conservative Christian group has even briefly considered Jesus’ example in formulating its position and not a single Christian activist has publicly admitted to any doubt as to whether his approach is consistent with Christ’s example. If they can’t even draw upon such an obviously applicable example of Christ-like conduct, then they are beyond hope.
I hope that Dr. Throckmorton will come to appreciate that his effort to infuse a sense of humanity or shame into these people is fruitless. If Jesus can’t do it, Throckmorton can’t either.

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 30 May 2018 18:27:03 +0000

“M. Worrell# ~ Sep 13, 2011 at 11:46 am
Could this not be addressed once and for all by simply having a blanket anti-bullying curriculum that teaches kids not to bully for any reason whatsoever?”
Perhaps you should suggest that the parents of the eight students who committed suicide , I’m sure they would have an answer for the effectiveness of your suggestion.

By: Parent in Anoka Hennepin

Parent in Anoka Hennepin — Wed, 30 May 2018 18:27:03 +0000

Thought you should know that Janet Boynes was a para (like a teacher’s aid) in our school district up until recently and was working with students with learning challenges and other disabilities. She also once spoke before the school board (in disguise mind you – sunglasses and a hat) and said some pretty aweful stuff.
This area up here is thick with cronyism and people playing pocket pool with one another. I’m so sick of it I plan on moving as soon as the housing market comes back even a smidgen.

By: MIchael Bussee

MIchael Bussee — Wed, 30 May 2018 18:27:03 +0000

You should end your silence and communicate the real situation to these groups. Part of the reason they obstruct progress in addressing bullying is because of the distorted narrative you have helped to create.

Warren, have you contacted Alan Chambers personally to make a direct appeal? It seemed to work when you were urging Exodus to take an official stand against the Ugandan Anti-homosexuality Bill. Perhaps it will work again…

By: Melissa Thompson

Melissa Thompson — Wed, 30 May 2018 18:27:03 +0000

Professor Throckmorton, Let me begin with thanking you for your insight and willingness to share it. I am a parent in the Anoka-Hennepin school district, who has been frustrated with the power and authority given to MFC/PAL by not just “this” school board, but previous ones as well. I am confused as to how they are able to circumvent the law and inject their “rouge religious beliefs” on our district as a whole.
I have been particulary bothered at the misrepresentation of not only christianity but also of science and their ability to convince people that they are the ones being victimized. I’ve had several back and forths with the “head of PAL” and even reached out to her personaly saying I was willing to help set a mediation and had a professional organization willing to do it, in hopes that us parents could put aside “our stuff” in hopes of improving things for all our kids. It was met with a flat out refusal to come to the table and a disingenous prayer for my good health.
This rigid ideology is so frustating, but the fact that it’s infiltrated our “public” schools and curriculum is scary. Some of these folks will actually dismiss the existance of dinosaurs because they’re not mentioned in the bible, even when we have tangible proof they existed in museums across the world. Yet they will cling to something they’ve had preached to them, taken out of context and use it as a weapon to judge others in direct contradiction of the very text they quote. Sadly, we are expected to be able to reach some degree of middle ground with them? it’s just never going to happen.
Which makes your wilingness to shine a light as well as those who are willing to tell the story so important because until now LGBTQ kids and those in favor of “equality” and “tolerance” have been left to feel that they are “less than” and don’t matter, which is so wrong. We now have an entire sub-section within our community of parents bound by a common thread….they’ve all lost kids to suicide. That should be enough of a reason for the schooboard to tell MFC/PAL, “While we respect your personal religious beliefs, they don’t belong in public school policy…period.”

By: ken

ken — Wed, 30 May 2018 18:27:03 +0000

MIchael Bussee# ~ Sep 13, 2011 at 4:23 pm
“And keep in mind that Exodus is against all bullying programs anyway, since Alan Chambers believes they are “tools to crush Christian evangelism”.”
I was under the impression that Chambers has softened his stance on that after the rash of glbt suicides.