Tea Party-backed Kentucky state GOP Rep. Mike Harmon wants to make it legal for Christian students to bully gay kids about their sexuality. And he's filed an amendment to a pending anti-bullying bill that says so.
House Bill 370 would prohibit bullying because of a student's sexual orientation, race or religion. Yet, Rep. Mike Harmon (R-Danville, who believes homosexuality is a sin, says students who share his faith-based belief should not be prohibited from saying as much.
Harmon has filed an amendment that would allow students to condemn other students' sexual preferences as long as that expression of a religious belief does not include physical harm or damaging property. Citing the Biblical story in which Jesus admonishes those without sin to cast the first stone against a woman accused of adultery. Harmon said the story does not end with no stones being thrown.
"'Neither do I condemn you,'" Harmon quotes scripture, "But it didn't stop there. (Jesus) went on to say, 'Go and sin no more.' So, Jesus would not bully the young lady but he also would not condone her sin."
I have a problem with this. Freedom of speech is does not give anyone the freedom to judge and that is what Mr. Harmon wants. Schools are no place to air political or religious views. No more than in the work place. One would not walk up to a co-worker and state that you think being gay is a sin. It would make for an awkward and possible hostile environment. Schools should be a safe place to learn. I think this would open the door for bullies to pick on LGBT students. The point of anti-bully laws are to keep the bullies from picking on anyone including LGBT kids.
LGBT kids are at greater risk of depression, absenteeism, dropping out, and suicide because of bullying.
House Bill 370 would prohibit bullying because of a student's sexual orientation, race or religion. Yet, Rep. Mike Harmon (R-Danville, who believes homosexuality is a sin, says students who share his faith-based belief should not be prohibited from saying as much.
Harmon has filed an amendment that would allow students to condemn other students' sexual preferences as long as that expression of a religious belief does not include physical harm or damaging property. Citing the Biblical story in which Jesus admonishes those without sin to cast the first stone against a woman accused of adultery. Harmon said the story does not end with no stones being thrown.
"'Neither do I condemn you,'" Harmon quotes scripture, "But it didn't stop there. (Jesus) went on to say, 'Go and sin no more.' So, Jesus would not bully the young lady but he also would not condone her sin."
I have a problem with this. Freedom of speech is does not give anyone the freedom to judge and that is what Mr. Harmon wants. Schools are no place to air political or religious views. No more than in the work place. One would not walk up to a co-worker and state that you think being gay is a sin. It would make for an awkward and possible hostile environment. Schools should be a safe place to learn. I think this would open the door for bullies to pick on LGBT students. The point of anti-bully laws are to keep the bullies from picking on anyone including LGBT kids.
LGBT kids are at greater risk of depression, absenteeism, dropping out, and suicide because of bullying.
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