This short video was forwarded to me by a friend this morning. I think it is an extreme example, but one that could definitely take place should the law pass to legalize same-sex marriages. Here is the link to view the video: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1352578267/bctid1819819843
For me the video raises a few questions. First, this is terrible that the schools deem it necessary to “legally” over-step the parents’ role as husband and wife to raise their children. It appears to be a serious step towards a socialist society. Freedom seems to be wiped away from the equation in this situation.
Next, most of us have been accustomed to being tolerant for others’ beliefs. It appears that because in Massachusetts it is legal to have same-sex marriages, there should be no tolerance for beliefs otherwise. I find it rather ironic that those who scream for tolerance choose not to practice it themselves. Will this be the case nationwide should the proposition not pass this November?
Third, I wonder what this father did while he was meeting with the school board about his beliefs. I wonder if he was calm and collected, or if he became angry or lost his temper and that is why he was put in jail. This could just be an extreme case.
If you support traditional marriage you can do so and still be respectful towards your family and friends who are gay. View this website to learn more about protecting traditional marriage: http://www.preservingmarriage.org/
I want to thank Steve who commented on this post and gave me a great article that addresses this issue over on the Mormons for Marriage website. I encourage everyone to read this article. It explains and answers many questions that I asked about this. Here is the link to the site: http://mormonsformarriage.com/?p=44
I also came across a great post over at thoughts on lds about the consequences of Proposition 8 in California. Glenn Beck interviews Dr James Dobson from focus on the family as well as a link to David Bednar, a Mormon apostle, addressing the issue. Here’s the link: http://thoughtsonlds.blogspot.com/
Grace for Grace 
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October 15, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Same-Sex Marriage: Father Put in Jail for Not Allowing Child to be Taught - LDS Mormon Forums
[…] Same-Sex Marriage: Father Put in Jail for Not Allowing Child to be Taught Father put in Jail for not Allowing Same-sex Marriage to be Taught to his Child at School Grace for … […]
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October 15, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Chris H.
That video is from the Family Research Council. I would not trust it.
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October 16, 2008 at 4:55 am
Steven B
This whole matter has been discussed at length over at the Mormons for Marriage site. One commenter seemed to indicate that the father deliberately tried to get arrested. Here is the relevant portion of that comment:
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October 16, 2008 at 5:01 am
Dan
The question you have to ask about the family in Massachussetts is if they didn’t like the educaiton their child was getting, why didn’t they pull him out of the school and home-school him/her.
However, the disturbing answer would be that Massachussetts does not allow parents to home school their children. They are forced to be in the public school system.
California is also moving towards adopting this same view, i.e. home schooling will not be allowed.
When did we become a socialistic nation?
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October 16, 2008 at 5:31 am
ama49
#3 Steven,
Thank you for the insightful blog recommendations. As I read this I thought it was a bit too far-fetched, but also wouldn’t put it past some people in government to go this far. However, I do know how aggresive some of the right wing Evangelicals can get and thought there would be more to the story than just religious persecution.
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October 16, 2008 at 5:32 am
ama49
#2 Chris,
Thank you for your comment. After reading some of the things that organization has done, I think they are a bit too far to the right and have said and supported some very hurtful things.
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October 16, 2008 at 6:14 am
Eric Zacharias
I am amazed. I actually expected to read some things I could agree on here! : )
Alas. (Is Ama short for “amazing”? LOL :))
Ama, help me out–help me understand. From what you and others have described, how does getting arrested — even if on purpose — end up being extreme or hurtful?
To help me out; would you please answer some questions?
A) Would you be in favor of those who peacefully stand at the perimeter of abortion clinics as a testimony of the “right to life” and who hope to persuade a young woman to “choose life” and alternatives, such as adoption? Is that radical or extreme? Hurtful?
B) In Revolutionary times, a band of Americans began dumping British tea off the ships, in protest of taxation without representation. Was this heroic or was it radical and extreme and hurtful?
C) If Christians (far-right, of course) preached and taught about Jesus Christ in an area that they were restricted to do this–in other words, if they broke a restraining order by preaching in a Jewish enclave– would that be considered radical and extreme and/or hurtful?
My point is that it is not, regardless if they disobeyed the rules. Disobedience does come with a cost; moral people, esp Christians, are to stand up and be counted in opposition to immorality. If this means imprisonment and persecution, the end result (goal) may mean that this will end up being tried in the courts. Even St. Paul was up to this; remember that he could have been released from the charge of “public disturbance” and could have gone on his merry way; but when he thought about his situation, he allowed himself to go to Rome, to be tried before their supreme court to prove that preaching about Jesus was not against the law; and he hoped that along the way, he could share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. And, I hope you recognized that situation “C” (above) was not theoretical; it was St. Peter as recorded in the Book of Acts who insisted, “We must obey God rather than man.”
The stumbling block for you, I think, is that this man might have been part of the evangelical group. If he were a mormon, I think you might have another take on this issue–the correct take on the issue.
BTW, I saw the Mass Mormon on TV tonight. Looked very presidential. I think he might have been a better choice than McCain. (Obviously, a much better choice than O’bama!)
FWIW.
Blessings in the Christ, the Redeemer,
Ez
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October 16, 2008 at 6:44 am
Eric Zacharias
Curiosity got the best of me. I never heard of the “Family Research Council” until now. Had to look it up on the Google.
For the record, here is the description they give of their organization:
[[The faint of heart may want to turn away…3,2,1…]]
“Family Research Council (FRC) was founded in 1983 as an organization dedicated to the promotion of marriage and family and the sanctity of human life in national policy.
Through books, pamphlets, media appearances, public events, debates and testimony, FRC’s team of experienced policy experts review data and analyze proposals that impact family law and policy in Congress and the executive branch.
FRC also strives to assure that the unique attributes of the family are recognized and respected through the decisions of the courts and regulatory bodies. ”
[[Okay…it’s safe to come out now!]]
Yep. You gotta watch out for Dr. Dobson and the bunch down at Focus on the Family. Real radical group. Hurtful, too.
Personally, however, I don’t think that group would get a posse together and go lead a raid against anyone, whether it be in Massachusetts or in Mountain Meadows.
; )
Ez
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October 17, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Same sex marriage. Impact begins - Page 10 - LDS Mormon Forums
[…] Same-Sex Marriage: Father Put in Jail for Not Allowing Child to be Taught Father put in Jail for not Allowing Same-sex Marriage to be Taught to his Child at School Grace for … […]
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October 17, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Greg
Thanks for pointing out the post over at Mormons for Marriage. I just happened to view the video the other day. I think the post on Mormons for Marriage and the comments to your post here have created questions concerning the video. Thanks for that. I thought about putting it on my own blog, but didn’t quite know what to think about it after I viewed it. The video is certainly heart stirring though. Thanks again,
Greg
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October 18, 2008 at 2:43 am
ldspad
Looks like that video is making its rounds around the internet.
It’s important that we spread the word about protecting marriage.
http://ldspad.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/proposition-8-protect-marriage/
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October 18, 2008 at 8:12 am
ama49
#7 and #8 Eric,
I think it is important to protect marriage and I can see your point. However, what I read about this agency that used to be with Focus on the Family and split off, is that they have become known in recent years for “staging” certain things and mis-representing things to prove their point. Clearly in this video they show a very one-sided approach.
Now, that being said, I do not agree with the state stepping in and teaching children in public schools about things parents should be teaching them on. That is where the state crosses the line.
I can only remember one instance in the bible when Jesus became aggressive and that was when they were in the temple. For the most part, Jesus showed quiet dignity. I feel if one is opposed to something, standing outside and picketing really isn’t going to turn people on to a cause, rather, spreading the word to protect marriage as suggested in comment #11 and also on the link I provided is a much better approach and one more in line with what Jesus would do, I believe.
I agree with you about our presidential choices as well. God help us if Obama gets in there!
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October 18, 2008 at 8:24 am
ama49
#10 Greg,
Thanks for stopping by. It is heart stirring and I think it is terrible that the government can step in like that. From looking into the details, I can understand how the father felt very frustrated, but I think he got a bit carried away and that’s what led him to go to jail.
We need to do all we can to voice that traditional marriage between man and woman is what is right without getting over-zealous.
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October 21, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Dan
Hey Aaron,
I misspoke in my earlier post. A California Appeals Court has already ruled that parents, who are not certified teachers, can not home school their children.
I wrote about it here.
included in the post:
“Here’s the kicker. Pehaps you’re thinking that you can avoid the issue altogether by just homeschooling your child. If you live in California, think again. Earlier this year a California Court of Appeals ruled that Philip and Mary Long of Lynwood, CA, could not home school their children because Mary (the mom/teacher) was not a certified teacher in CA.”
‘”California courts have held that … parents do not have a constitutional right to homeschool their children’ Justice H. Walter Croskey said in the 3-0 ruling issued on Feb. 28. ‘Parents have a legal duty to see to their children’s schooling under the provisions of these laws.’
Parents can be criminally prosecuted for failing to comply, Croskey said.”
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October 28, 2008 at 12:17 am
Reality Check
The father arrested was arrested for disorderly conduct not for opposing gay marriage. Think about it. Actually read something besides a one sided blog. Yes actual newspapers still exist.
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October 28, 2008 at 5:11 am
ama49
#15 Reality Check,
I actually already addressed this issue. Please read the whole post.
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November 22, 2008 at 10:38 pm
djinn
The man arrested, Rob Wirthlinl, objected to his son reading a book which talked about two men getting married. This is legal in Mass. They called it “advocating gay marriage.” I’d call it teaching children that kids come from different sorts of families. Plus, since this couple has been seen countless times (in ads) discussing this very same book, don’t you think their kids have figured out that two men can get married in Mass.? I somehow suspect so.
Kids come from different sorts of families. Is your point that those children that come from the wrong sort of families should be shunned? Because it seems to be the obvious conclusion from your premise. Gay families exist; whether you like it or not, it is a fact, and legal in Mass, where this family is.
The family is perfectly free to teach their children that gay marriage is wrong, that drinking coffee is wrong, that drinking tea is wrong, that (name any mormon commandment here that is not a law) is wrong. They are not free to make the school conform to their religious beliefs, however. It’s called separation of church and state.
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November 24, 2008 at 1:31 am
ama49
Djinn,
You are right that the law in Mass. does state this and as such they do have a right to teach the law and therefore a right to teach about gay marriage.
I agree with you about what you say about families teaching their children. In fact, I believe the family is where children should be taught.
In this certain circumstance, I feel that the father probably did something more than just oppose the gay issue. I’m sure he got a bit aggressive and perhaps threatening to the officials and that is why he was put in jail.
However, I also feel that certain moral principles should be taught in schools. America was founded on these principles and gay marriage wasn’t a part of it. Neither was two people living with each other out of welock and other moral issues. The purpose of this post was to point out that it is important to stand up for moral issues without being beligerant or threatening.
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March 23, 2009 at 11:56 pm
gina
the above link (http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1352578267/bctid1819819843) for the video does not work. is there another link i can use or another location with this same video or another video on this same topic?
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