Comments on: Christian School Pulls Ohio Man’s Alum Page After They Find Out He’s Gay

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 18:09:03 +0000

The word “rapture” doesn’t appear in the Bible. The concept did not even exist in Christianity for 1,800 years until John Darby cooked it up. It is based on a misunderstanding of a passage in 1 Thessalonians. John Darby’s views spread among 19th-century churches whose clergy were uneducated and had no seminary training. The mainline churches don’t believe that crap, because that kind of “theology” has been heretical in historic Christianity since AD 325.

“Heresy” has a hysterical meaning in the West since the Reformation. It really just means a false or aberrant teaching. In the ancient church, a heretic was not allowed to teach or take Communion, but could still attend church. Some ancient theologians, like Origen and Tertullian, went through heretical phases. Their orthodox teachings still command respect.

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 17:54:07 +0000

Someone told me that they didn’t approve of the gay lifestyle. I said, loudly, “Oh, so YOU’RE the one! YOU’RE the universal approval authority! I wondered who that was. Now tell me, I’m curious: What part of the ‘gay lifestyle’ don’t you approve of? Is it the grocery shopping?”

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:26:44 +0000

Bridgette, I hate to disagree with you, but “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” didn’t have anything to do with intentionally sowing the seeds of the Burning Times. The original text was written in Aramaic, and spoke of “a poisoner”. When translated into the Greek, the word used was “potion-maker”, a much more ambiguous word, as it carried the possible connotation of healer. From Greek to Latin, it became “witch” in the Vulgate, and King James’ scholars stuck with that interpretation. When looking at the King James version, we have to remember how little archaic, original material they had to work with. Almost all of it was translations of translations of oral traditions written down hundreds of years later. James I really had very little in the way of a religious agenda for that Bible; it was commissioned mostly to help bring an end to the internecine fighting starting with Henry VIII, by giving the English people a Bible they could read themselves that was sanctioned and used by the Monarch’s Church.

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:10:07 +0000

Andrew, The King James translation of the Bible was commissioned by King James I of England, to provide an English translation for the Anglican Church, which had been founded by King Henry VIII after the Pope refused to grant him a divorce from his first wife. Considering that the Pope had given him special permission to marry her in the first place, because she was his brother’s widow, that’s understandable. Martin Luther and the Reformation had nothing to do with it. It was the end result of decades of Catholic/Anglican warfare in England, all because Henry couldn’t father a healthy son. After he died of syphilis, his Anglican son Edward V held the throne for six years. Then his eldest daughter Catholic Mary held it for five years. She was followed by Henry’s second daughter, Elizabeth I, who was also Anglican. She ruled for 45 years, and was succeeded by James I, son of Mary Queen of Scots and cousin to Queen Elizabeth.
I hate to tell you this, but the whole thing was about sex and politics, not God.
As for the veracity of the Bible… every Biblical scholar I have spoken with or studied with has stressed the importance of understanding as much as we can about the human authors of the various books, the times and cultures they lived in, and who they were writing to. The apparent contradictions in Paul’s epistles are understandable if one looks at the cultures of the various congregations he wrote to, and if you remember that he did not study at Jesus’ feet, but learned his doctrine third or fourth hand. He didn’t even travel to Jerusalem to meet the original Disciples until he had been preaching for 12 years.
The Bible, while it may have been inspired by God, was written by men, and men are flawed. The writings that eventually became the New Testament were selected by the “winners” of the ongoing arguments about doctrine in the first hundred years after Christ. For example, there was disagreement about whether or not Christ was human or divine. The “divine” faction won, and the nativity stories were made up and added to two of the Gospels around 150 a.d.
Looking with a critical mind at the writings of men is not an act of un-faith. It can lead to a much deeper appreciation of the teachings of the Master. Did you know that the most prevalent Judaic belief at the time of Jesus was that Adam and Eve’s sin had robbed humanity of not only its bodily immortality, but also the soul’s immortality? Think about that the next time you read any of Christ’s teachings about heaven and the afterlife.
Religion is not divorced from the rest of life, and the history of the Church is part of the history of Western man for the past 2,000 years. God gave you that mind, young man, so use it.

By: Christian School Removes Alum from Website for Being Gay | Just Out

Christian School Removes Alum from Website for Being Gay | Just Out — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:48:49 +0000

[...] in Ohio has apparently removed an alumni’s profile on its website after learning he is gay, Lez Get Real [...]

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:22:10 +0000

I just can’t fathom how anyone could think that a book written by a nomadic people 2000 years ago has all the answers or that all of the answers are even correct.

Anyway…
David is basically a success story for the school and they dropped him like a sac of potatoes just because he is gay. Despicable. Truly a shameful moment in the history of this school that should be emulating the love that Jesus gave rather than the doctrine of hate they are following. No wonder christian denominations are shrinking.

By: Ohio Queers: Delaware Christian School shuns gay alum; response from another gay former student « Queer Corner

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:35:04 +0000

[...] and NBC4 about the travesty. The gay blogosphere has also picked up the story at Towleroad and Lez Get Real among [...]

By: Charles

Charles — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:32:17 +0000

The ones responsible for his being booted outright first congratulate him for all of his great accomplishments. Yet when he is merely forthcoming and honest about his orientation, that by itself is now considered a punishable “sin”??? Mindless and clueless fundamentalists, (Sarcasm) You gotta love em!!

By: Pedant

Pedant — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:50:43 +0000

Such a slaughter of syntax and grammar is indicative of homeschooling.

By: Davids Roomate

Davids Roomate — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:49:44 +0000

I am amazed to see the comments on here….I cannot believe some people are so naive. Most people stand up for what is right others are just silly….DCS Anonymous student…you are yet a child..someone who really does not understand the world. I went to a Christian high school and graduated from a conservative Christian college. I would hope that those institutions would not ever make such horrible comments about me. And yes my dear there are most DEFINATLEY gay kids in your school 100% positive I would bet my life on it! It is a Christian School I have a running list of the Gay people that graduated from MVNU from 01-05 and there are over 80 names on that list….and guess what most are successful. David is standing up for what is right!

By: Dorje

Dorje — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:51:48 +0000

then you are mistaken

By: Joe Marrazzo

Joe Marrazzo — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 18:37:11 +0000

Reading the brainwashed comments from some of these students is downright creepy. David, run from this school and don’t look back.

By: WereRTheLions

WereRTheLions — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:11:18 +0000

I think its about time to bring back the lions!

By: DCS Alumni

DCS Alumni — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 08:29:31 +0000

I agree, thank you Bridgette.

By: DCS Alumni

DCS Alumni — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 08:27:02 +0000

Anonymous student, I do not agree that David has overdone this, the school has though. You, and many others I am sure, HAVE judged David. Would you invite him in to your house? Your you still love him as a Christian brother, regardless of how he has chosen to live his life? Would you listen to his side of the story and try to understand his point of view? Would you still call him a friend if you ever knew him? Honestly? I understand the school had every right to remove him from the page, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t “setting a good example”! All he has done is declare his lifestyle to be different, how is that a bad example? He has not harmed anyone, or lead a life of crime, which are perfectly exceptable ways of not “setting a good example”. I am proud of Davids courage, and offer my support as both a Christian and a former student of the school.

By: DCS Alumni

DCS Alumni — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 08:10:44 +0000

First of anonymous student, do not guarentee that he NEVER said that he was “gross and immoral”! The other alumni and I have known him for 13 years and it is almost comical how quickly he will say things like that, and how often he has said things like that in the past! Don’t be naieve! This is a big deal because this whole situation is a perfect example of the hateful teachings that so often arise at that school during situations like this, the default response being to lash out with condemnation and disrespect instead of love and any kind of passive disapproval. DCS had every right to take him off the page, because the disapproved, but they did not leave it alone after that, they did not down play the incident, that is the problem! The fact that you know as much as you do about the situation proves that, at the very least, the faculty has either brought it to the attention of the students or otherwise made no attempt to downplay the situation to them. The school has always demonstrated behavior like this, and don’t be foolish enough to saying it has not happened and will not continue to happen!

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 06:11:06 +0000

The flaw within what you wrote is that women do not have to be with a man to have a baby- at least not directly. I will also tell you that, so far, the Rapture was suppose to happen in AD55, AD1000, AD 1850, AD 1995, AD 2000. The prediction is always there, but it is based upon a form of literature that was common at the time that the Bible was first being written down.

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 05:40:53 +0000

If this is not Elizabeth, then you have compromised her account with Yahoo, and I will be forced to report you to the authorities for hacking.

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 05:19:39 +0000

Elizabeth,

You will learn this lesson some day soon. Being lesbian or gay is not a choice. Recently, one Christian man who struggled with that lesson and even tried to help others stop being gay admitted that he has never met a person who was ex-gay. You cannot call what we do a sin without condemning all of us as being wrong. It would be akin to saying that having dark skin is a sin. This is not an opinion. It is a fact. I am sorry, Elizabeth. My heart bleeds for you. Your world is not what you have been taught.

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:43:49 +0000

Thank you. I try very hard to understand the world around me, even if my beliefs do not mesh with those that I study.

By: Yet Another Disgusted Alum

Yet Another Disgusted Alum — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:40:26 +0000

And Bridgette, I respect the way you have educated yourself on all sides of the matter, formulated your own opinion, and listened to your heart. That is honorable….And unfortunately rare with the segment of the population you were addressing earlier. Thank you for giving such well formulated and hopefully thought provoking answers to both Elizabeth and Andrew. The most we can hope for is that they would bring what was discussed to class and it would spurn others to rise above the regurgitation of distorted reality.

By: Yet Another Disgusted Alum

Yet Another Disgusted Alum — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:30:34 +0000

I am yet another recent grad of DCS who wants to address other DCS students & parents. I have also done so on my FB acct, so I am willing to say both publicly & privately what an appaling representation of DCS this has been. I am ashamed to have gone to a school, also for 13 years, where the administration would respond with such a tasteless blurb. If David had been treated with respect this entire thread would not exist. No where in the Bible does it say to ‘Disrespect Thy Brother When They Hath Sinned’. If you as a student are comfortable with an administrator, essentially representing you as well ,reacting in such a manner, then you obviously have a lot to learn about respect. But that is to be expected, because I too remember the lack of things taught by the faculty there, let alone the faulty nature of much else. To the DCS parent, I am also a parent and am troubled by the absence of parental response to the way this entire situation was handled. Almost all of the problems I have with the school are generated by the notable silence from adults- especially at times when correct communication is needed most. Please disregard all regurgitated rhetoric when speaking to your kids, push them to explore the vast amount of resources available to them, and above all else educate themselves. That is how hate has been passed on from generation to generation- even inside Delaware Christian. Please morally guide them, but stop with the bigotry. I was personally pulled aside by one of the current staff there and told I should not date the boy I was with because he was black, and we would be ‘unequally yoked’. Does this shock you? It should. This happened in 2005, not 1965. Students, don’t follow the word of the faculty about religion just because they said 2+2=4 so naturally all their moral teaching will be correct. If each person lays aside their bias and searches for real Truth, it will be found.

By: Pattysboi

Pattysboi — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:59:14 +0000

Andrew, nobody “decides” to be gay. One is BORN gay or straight. Matthew Shepard would never have “decided to be gay”, had he known that he would be kidnapped, tied to a fence, pistolwhipped until he was unconcious, robbed of his shoes, wallet and coat, and left to DIE, simply because he was a gay man. He died 13 years ago on Tuesday.

Read the excellent book “The Whole World is WAtching” by his friend Romaine Patterson, and then talk to a member of pflag or glaad.

By: Pattysboi

Pattysboi — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:55:44 +0000

You’re in 8th grade, for pete’s sake. You’ve not lived long enough to have “troubles”. Try losing your job, then wondering how you’re going to feed your family, even with two college degrees. Try being on unemployment for 11 months, and just this week starting a new job.

Andrew, it does sound like you’ve a lot of growing-up to do. Please start.

By: Pattysboi

Pattysboi — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:51:38 +0000

King James was more than likely a gay man.

By: Pattysboi

Pattysboi — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:48:28 +0000

Your statement “When he said, ” I can guarantee that there are other gay people at DCS.” That is not a true statement, and I think he needs to rethink that thought. Our school IS a very loving Christian school….< is full of contradictions. I don't think you've talked to every single other student at your "Christian school", have you? How do you know for a FACT that there are no other GLBT students there? You don't.

TRUE Christians show Christ's love for ALL, and don't cherry-pick what rules to follow.

Oh, and by the way, my WIFE and I are a married lesbian FAMILY, and our relationship is rock-solid and Christ-centered. Is YOURS???

I suggest that YOU read "Judge not, lest YE be judged", and "Love thy neighbor as thyself".

By: Another disgusted DCS Alumni

Another disgusted DCS Alumni — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 07:04:21 +0000

I am another alumni of DCS and am very disappointed in the actions of my alma mater. I also attended the school for 13 years. I would first like to say that I know of other several other former students who have since “came out of the closet” including 2 males from my class of less than 40 so for the current student ( I think it was Andrew) who said there not any homosexual students at the school I simply laugh.
I agree with the previous alumni that DCS does shelter students and students are taught many “Christian beliefs” from a very conservative point of view. I respect Principal McDonald for all his work at DCS and how he stands strong in his convictions. However, in my studies of the Bible Jesus does not place nearly as much emphasis on His disapproval of the homosexual lifestyle as he does on His disapproval of judgmental and hypocritical Christians. I do not know one person associated with DCS who is a perfect person so I do not understand why many students, parents and faculty believe it is acceptable to be judgmental of David’s “sin of homosexuality?” Who are any of us to judge that one sin is so much worse than another? It is not our job to shut people out of the church either but actions like this are what give Christians a bad reputation. I know several other alumni featured on the website are not living perfectly moral, Christianlike lives these days so why should they be featured but not David?
As a student at DCS one Biblical principle that was drilled in my brain was that the greatest of God’s commandments is love. I learned this from a very young age and it is disappointing for me to see administration is neglecting this commandment. Would this have even made the media’s attention if David was addressed respectfully when he contacted the school? I do not think so.

By: DCS Alumni

DCS Alumni — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 06:12:38 +0000

I am a graduate of DCS, and was there from beginning to end (kindergarden to senior), I don’t mean to offend, but I would like to say my piece.

First, do I believe that DCS reserves the right to edit and remove anything from their website? Absolutely.

Do they have the right to publicly criticize or condemn anyone other than to say “We do not support this, and this is not what we believe”? Absolutely NOT.

To the students at DCS that have posted on here. As a recent graduate (2006), I understand the amount of closed-minded thoughts that are drilled into you on a daily basis. I admit that I was also very closed minded/sheltered until I got out in the real world. And that is the key, the real world. You condemn homosexuals, but do you even know one? I am a straight married man, and I am very proud to say that I have openly homosexual friends that have been more supportive, caring, and loyal to me than some of my “friends” that I had at DCS. I am a Christian, and I have my beliefs, but who am I to pass judgement on someone else. For every scripture reference that you come at me condemning and criticizing, I can return just as many dealing with love and forgiveness (“Dont judge lest ye be judged yourselves”, “Love the sinner, hate the sin”, or “Let he who is without blame cast the first stone” anyone?). In my experience, the type of environment there makes you feel adult and mature, when in reality you have no experience dealing with what everyone is saying is “wrong”.

To the parent(s). As a new parent myself, and due to my years of experience at the school, I am confident in saying that I will NEVER send my child there. I am in no way challenging you or your decision to send you child there. My home life was not the best growing up, and rather than get the support or encouragement that I needed from my peers and faculty, I felt alone. The school itself is very political and it did not provide me with an outstanding education. Am I saying that every teacher there is bad? By no means at all. There are some amazing teachers there, that I learned a lot from and I owe a lot to. There are also some are not even a few teachers that actually hindered me when I reached the college level. I remember the big drawl being the high grading scale the school offered…until they lowered it to that of a normal public school. There were also beliefs that were drilled in to my head that I do not agree with now, such as “Dancing Makes Babies” (has there EVER been a school dance? Or just another trip to Magic Mountain as a JR/SR prom?). There have been kids that have been kicked out of the school for getting another pregnant (whether or not the school had the right to do that I cannot say, but I believe it is wrong.), as well as a sex ed class that consisted of “Dont Do It”. I can ever remember a interesting music class that delt with the evils of 80′s rock music (AC/DC standing for Anti-Christ Devil Children? Seriously?!?!). My point is, know what your kids are being told, and don’t shelter them, as well as the longer I am away from that school, the more I feel like I missed out on.

I understand that this is a hot button issue, and I know for a fact that if many of my graduating peers/members of their family/certain faculty were to read this, that I would be shunned and not spoken to. Which I feel demonstrates the amount of absurd hypocrisy that dominates my of those circles. Again, this rant is based on my personal opinion, and I do not mean to offend. But I simply do not agree with the way DCS handled this matter or many others in the past. I encourage any current students, or anyone that reads this that is unsure of their beliefs or sexuality to take heart. Be who you are and don’t let anyone tell you that you are wrong for doing what you believe is right (including those that completely disagree with everything I have said here, I appreciate your faith and your resolve.)

Thank you for your time.

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:28:44 +0000

I am not saying that you cannot. I am saying that you should not accept the Bible as being absolute- as it is written as you have read it. Even the Apostle Thomas doubted, and doubt lead to stronger faith.

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:25:05 +0000

Andrew,

I opened my eyes…and then opened them again. I knew that you would come to the point where you could not get me to waver and then make that claim. You do not know my heart, and you do not know what I have been through, and yet, you judge. You said you were going, Andrew, and yet you remain. Good night.

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:21:36 +0000

I write, and I combat hatred and bigotry in the world because it destroys souls, people, and the world. I walk the path of the one who seeks to heal others and the land. I walk this path because I was set upon it to heal and inform. To fight the growing darkness that consumes people.

By: Andrew from DCS

Andrew from DCS — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:19:39 +0000

I get my answers from the Bible, Elliot.

By: Elliot Carver

Elliot Carver — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:16:33 +0000

must not be the right God then….

By: Elliot Carver

Elliot Carver — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:15:39 +0000

Is it really God decision your are acting like an uneducated bigot… or is it yours?

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:15:13 +0000

Andrew,

I know the difference. I know the path that I was set upon by God. I know the darkness that I have seen, and the horrors that I have felt. I know that they have made me stronger in my faith every day even when those around me have told me that I am wrong. You do not know how many times I have had people touched by evil and darkness and corruption ask me that self-same question, but I could feel their souls corrupted by darkness.

By: Andrew from DCS

Andrew from DCS — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:14:02 +0000

The God of Jerusalem, who wrote the Holy Bible

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:12:38 +0000

Elizabeth,

I am sure. I have walked this path now for a long time, and every time I have wavered, every time I have had doubt put into me, I have been shown that I was wrong to doubt. What I have felt is pure as well. I have never had anything touch my heart that was as right as when I saw those signs. When I have had people tell me that I am wrong in person, I always feel the corruption and hatred in their hearts. I see the hatred burning through their souls and corrupting their very natures. I see the evil within them. Often, they spout God’s words, but in reality, they do so from a place of darkness where their hatred smoulders and destroys their souls.

By: Andrew from DCS

Andrew from DCS — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:12:30 +0000

Was it REALLY Gods decision for you to be gay or was it your’s?

By: Elliot Carver

Elliot Carver — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:11:28 +0000

she is serving the TRUE GOD… which you are you serving?

By: Elliot Carver

Elliot Carver — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:10:02 +0000

Here is what I know from my half century of life experience…. that once you little “confirmed in Christ’ kids get out of your little special school… and find out you are no longer part of the “in crowd”…

9 time out of 10 you dump all that “confirmed in Christ” crap… because you simply don’t want to be viewed as a freak.

By: Andrew from DCS

Andrew from DCS — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:09:42 +0000

I already shared with you what GOD’S word said about homosexuality. Which God are you serving?

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:07:53 +0000

You are welcome for the discussion, Andrew, just know that I walk my path as it has already been set by The Good God, and that I am fine.

By: Andrew from DCS

Andrew from DCS — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:07:00 +0000

Hey I’ve gotta go. Thanks so much Elizabeth, it really means a lot to me that you would stand with me in this.
Bridget, I’ll be praying for you. Thanks for talking to me and take care.

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:01:56 +0000

Andrew,

When I came to the time of accepting that I am a lesbian, I prayed. I prayed for days. I asked for guidance time and time again. I got my answer- and I was told that this is my path. That I must accept that I am a lesbian and not to waver from who I am. What is more, Andrew, when I have wavered, He has shown me that I was wrong to waver. What you are telling me is to turn my back on God because you and your religion do not like that this is how my relationship with God has gone. There are many Christian gays out there who have similar stories. That is one of the times that tested my faith.

I will always remember talking to this one minister who came to me unbidden and unexpectedly to tell me that I was wrong to waver in my faith in Him and in me, and that I was walking the right path.

By: Andrew from DCS

Andrew from DCS — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:01:44 +0000

I don’t believe that we should ever give up on someone because God works in marvelous ways I can’t describe. All we can do is pray for her to see the truth.

By: Andrew from DCS

Andrew from DCS — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:56:58 +0000

By the way, is this Elzabeth B. or Liz S.?

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:56:06 +0000

Research is not all that has lead me to the firm place that I am in my faith. I have lived my life, and walked my way through the desert and the darkness.

By: Andrew from DCS

Andrew from DCS — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:55:23 +0000

Christ allows troubles in our life to STRENGTHEN our faith, not to eliminate it. And trust me, I’ve had my fair share

By: Elliot Carver

Elliot Carver — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:55:07 +0000

then you are not very well read… are you?

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:53:55 +0000

I would say that I am an Agnostic.