I am a 15-year Libertyville resident with a student at Libertyville High School. I am writing to express my concern about the support District 128 is lending to the "Day of Silence" tomorrow. I understand that the district has no choice legally but to recognize a right for students and faculty to publicize and observe (during non-class hours) this day in support of homosexual rights. However, one of my daughter's teachers has indicated she will not be speaking at all during class tomorrow and will simply give the class a written assignment to complete. Even the American Civil Liberties Union, in a advisory communique to its followers, has recognized that faculty and students do not have a constitutional right to remain silent during class periods.
However, my far greater concern has to do with welfare of young people. To put it crudely, human anatomy confirms that homosexual practices are unnatural. That is why such activity is attended with so much physical disease; homosexuals use body parts for purposes for which those parts were not designed. Much more serious than the physical danger in many cases, however, is the psychological damage that often comes with homosexual practices, which damage can include anger and self-loathing. For the district to encourage young people (even tacitly) in unnatural acts seems to me to be profoundly unwise and ultimately (though I know this is not your intent) uncaring. The massive study published by Jones and Yarhouse in 2007 indicates that significant numbers of men and women who practice a homosexual lifestyle, can, with appropriate help from caring people, be brought out of that lifestyle or at least learn to live in peaceful celibacy.
Thank you for hearing me out on this issue. I appreciate any changes you might make in the district's approach to "Day of Silence."
Pastor Stephen E. Farish
Stephen Farish is the senior pastor at Crossroads Church in Grayslake, IL.
Please pray that God will strengthen, protect, and equip this pastor. Pray also that God will raise up others like him - men who will recognize the fact that there is a great spiritual battle taking place for the minds, hearts and souls of our children in our public schools, and be willing to engage in that battle.
