The Psychologists’ Perspective: ‘We Propose That Christian Kids Join Gay Students’
April 24th, 2008 by David DanskerPsychologists aim for solving conflicts by adjusting relational dynamics, and the easiest solution is to promote the goal of finding common ground. This would include finding something that both sides can agree on in order to create a collaborative union. The reason for this is that it is easier to persuade one organism to cease opposing itself than to find harmony between two opposing forces. It is something that works well for football teams and cheer squads, but should never be used to manipulate young Christians so that they may learn to compromise their faith. Michael Frey, Director for College Ministries with Campus Crusade for Christ, has yet to learn this valuable lesson.
On April 25, students across the nation are being asked by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to remain silent during the school day to protest the “silence” faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students in schools,1 or something other than the accolades and celebratory recognition going on now.
In another example of psychoheresy, Frey, it appears, has been persuaded by psychology professor Dr. Warren Throckmorton to co-sponsor a complimentary campaign using Christian students. “We propose that Christian kids join gay students,” writes Throckmorton, “by pledging to abide by Christ’s teaching in the Golden Rule.”2 The idea is to encourage them to yoke themselves together with the homosexual students in activism in order to both accept and promote the sin. The “Golden Rule Initiative,” also approved by Bob Stith, a Southern Baptist Convention Gender Issues think-tanker,3 would have Christian students join homosexuals and their supporters in GLSEN’s “Day of Silence,” thus giving GLSEN another flag of sponsorship to wave in their parade.
Dr. Throckmorton is selling this psychotherapy to Campus Crusade, and the SBC, on grounds that Christian students will gain a “teachable moment,”4 and emerge as the leaders in a campaign for safe school environments. There is, however, a distinct difference between a safe environment, which should exist for all students, and a welcoming environment within Christianity for students avowing sinful behavior. Hopefully, this will turn out to be Campus Crusade Frey’s learnable moment.
Notes:
1. Alexander J. Sheffrin, “Christians Find Alternatives to Pro-Gay ‘Day of Silence’,” Christian Post. April 22, 2008.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080422/32060_Christians
_Find_Alternatives_to_Pro-Gay_%27Day_of_Silence%27.htm
2. Warren Throckmorton, “Golden Rule Pledge - How about something really different?” Crosswalk.com, April 22, 2008. http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/EWThrockmorton/.
3. Sheffrin, “Christians Find Alternatives”.
4. Throckmorton, “Golden Rule Pledge”.