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Teaching
the Truth
Susan Adams
August 2004
The Religious Institute on Sexual
Morality, Justice, and Healing recently came out with a new bibliography
of approved sex education materials. In addition to the fact that
the term "religious" is used loosely in the organization's name (based
on the Declaration
on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing on their website, which gives
no religious conviction other than offering a sparse mention of God here
and there), the group's newly released bibliography
list of sex ed curricula is quite disturbing.
While a diversity of approaches and
educational styles are used and the programs support the values of the
particular faith community, each of the curricula listed supports sexuality
as a special gift to be nurtured through faith-filled practice, teaching,
and dialogue.
In other words, since they do not
take a stand on what they really believe regarding sexuality and purity
other than the secular "do what feels right to you" attitude, the group
has suggested a variety of sex ed programs that span the spectrum of modern
day sex education.
Some of the programs include
Good
Sex: A Whole-Person Approach to Teenage Sexuality & God, which
is a Biblically based approach to sexuality and uses Scripture throughout
the whole program in getting kids to realize God's plan for sex (aka --
abstinence until marriage).
However, intermingled amidst the one
(maybe two) Biblically based, abstinence-only programs are other programs
that seem to be -- on the surface -- good, wholesome programs. But
taking a deeper look at the curriculums and the organizations who produce
them give quite a different perspective.
One example is the OWL (Our Whole
Lives) Program. From the OWL
website:
Our Whole Lives uses approaches
that work. The curricula are based on the Guidelines for Comprehensive
Sexuality Education produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group
of leading health, education, and sexuality professionals assembled by
the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS).
(Check out an
FuS post from a few weeks ago to find out what SIECUS supports and
suggests regarding sex education.)
Abstinence: Our Whole Lives supports
abstinence from sexual activity as one of a number of healthy choices
individuals can make at any point in their lives.
Homosexuality and Bisexuality:
Our Whole Lives teaches that bisexuality, homosexuality, and heterosexuality
are all natural sexual orientations, and that people of all sexual
orientations have the right to express love, commitment, and pleasure.
Our Whole Lives (Gr. 7-9, Gr. 10-12, Adult) invites guest panels of openly
gay, lesbian, bisexual people to speak to the class. (Emphasis mine)
Another example of an organization represented
on the bibliography is the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
In an article on the SIECUS website titled "The
Really Good News: What the Bible Says About Sex," Debra Haffner
(former president and CEO of SIECUS) claims to be an "avid reader of the
Bible," and describes her version of what the Bible says about sexuality
(including same-sex relationships). What's disturbing is that Ms.
Haffner is adamant that the Bible clearly states that God created sex,
and sex is good. What Ms. Haffner leaves out is that sex was designed
for one man and one woman in a marriage covenant.
Also on the Religious Coalition's
website is an article titled "Just
Say Know: Unmasking the Hidden Agenda Behind Abstinence Education
(pdf)." You can imagine what this one is about.
It seems as though sex ed, even in
the "religious" aspect, has become a mushy, mixed-up mess. Seeing
the way God's gift of sex has been perverted and the message He has for
us distorted, I can't help but think of the words of Pilate on the night
Jesus was given over to be crucified.
Pilate therefore said unto
him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king.
To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that
I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth
my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? (John
18:37-38)
In this world where God is no longer
revered, but rather has become merely a word to be inserted whenever convenient,
we must continually ask ourselves, "What is truth?"
God has laid out His plan for sexuality
(and everything else, for that matter!) in the Bible, and everything we
do and say and teach must come under that authority. For the Bible
is the ONLY authority that is "given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
works" (II
Timothy 3:16-17).
We can no longer assume that if a
program claims to be religious, or even Christian, it teaches the truth
of the Word of God. Satan has been creeping into our churches for
years through people claiming to believe in God but having no reverence
for His written Word. Even demons
believe in God.
Are we willing to submit to His authority
in every way, despite what the world around us is claiming? Are we
willing to know the Bible and claim It as the truth, teaching the morals
and values God has laid before us?
Beloved, do not believe every
spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false
prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God:
Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is
of God. (I
John 4:1-2)
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