Comments on: Part 3: New Way of Activism

By: Jon Trouten

Jon Trouten — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:29:51 +0000

No, they're still seeking to scare the public with the lies about marriage equality being linked to school curriculum on gay sex and marriage. They've just admitted that the two aren't connected. Why stop the lie when it helps motivate voters to your cause?

By: Libby

Libby — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:20:06 +0000

Jon,

I wasn't aware that Yes on 1 had admitted that. I have heard Baldacci and Mill's comments about it though. There is so much talk about this I guess I missed that. I find it unbelieveable in a sense because it has been their biggest push throughout the campaign. Maybe they have changed course.

Andrew,

The fear factor is pretty motivating, but I agree that it's the wrong tactic. I think it can pushes people away, and it motivates proponents for all the wrong reasons. Furthermore what I've been learning is that real faith in God has nothing to do with fear except a healthy fear of God himself, right? It's something I'm still learning in my life.

By: Andrew Marin

Andrew Marin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:24:38 +0000

Jack – Check out what I wrote in Part 4 of this series….I’d love to hear your thoughts!

By: Andrew Marin

Andrew Marin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:22:53 +0000

Libby – Your life is a perfect example of what it means to be a parent and not a passenger in your kids life, education, growth and development. Isn’t is amazing that the guidance counselor was amazed at your involvement? Just reiterates the main point. Thanks for caring enough to care.

Jon – I couldn’t agree more that is it ‘fear’ being politically used as the basis for motivating voters. I find it extremely shameful that medium has become the most effective way to push policy. They’ll just stick with what works until we (the masses) start to push back on what fear really is.

By: Jon Trouten

Jon Trouten — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:19:54 +0000

The 'yes on 1' campaign has publicly admitted that allowing gays to marry will have no effect on what's taught in schools about gay people. It's all boogey-man scare tactics. Fear, fear, fear, and lies. But whatever draws in the voters, right?

By: Libby

Libby — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:07:04 +0000

Thank you Andrew for a healthy perspective on talking with schools. Here in Maine with the Question 1 seeking to repeal April's gay marriage law a lot of focus has been on the education aspect. As a first time parent of a kindergartener I have had my anxious moments over this issue, but what I did is email the guidance counselor and met with her and got an overview of the entire curriculum she uses from K-8. And so far I see nothing that alarms me. I think your example of the Dad meeting with the administration is such an encouragement and great example to follow because I've been nervous that I'm "going to have to protest" someday. An idea I'm totally uncomfortable with. The thing my school's guidance counselor kept telling me is "I wish all parents would come in and talk to me and be this involved."

Please be praying for churches in Maine over the next week and year(s) as we are faced with the challenges of the outcomes of question 1.

Also have you reviewed the movie "For the Bible Tells Me So?" yet? It is playing locally this week and although I can't attend the screening I've been reading up on it. I would enjoy knowing your thoughts on it.

Thank you for your ministry, example, and book!!!

By: Jack Harris

Jack Harris — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:56:43 +0000

I am reminded of the famous bumper sticker : “Well behaved women never make history.” I am sorry but sometimes you have to get people’s attention with protest. We can’t all have warm and fuzzy coffee conversations with member of congress, state legislatures and school districts to effect change. While I am not suggesting that indivduals have to be rude, abusive or violent, I DO feel that protest is the best way to reach the ears of people making the decisions.

By: Mrs T

Mrs T — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:07:34 +0000

I think that prayer is the key. Even tho I am a big proponent of prayer, I often plunge ahead without praying. Often we are too reactionary & don’t stop to pray. Thanks for the reminder……

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:37:05 +0000

Just have to say that I love Brad's idea…

In our culture we've become good at tuning things out. When a protest is done the same way over and over again…people stop hearing…

By: Jon Trouten

Jon Trouten — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:01:23 +0000

I think social change comes from all of the above: public protests, active contacts with political and public leaders, and other face-to-face encounters. I disagree that that have been only three public marches in the past 600 years that have spawned results. But I also think that people are delusional if they think that there is going to be spontaneous change after one march on the nation's capital (or any partcular city, or board meeting, or church gathering, or whatever).

By: Debbie Thurman

Debbie Thurman — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:59:01 +0000

“Does culture keep banking on a 1/200 year potential of world changing activism that is event driven, or does the medium of activism change along with culture?”

The culture could remember how to pray to a sovereign God. “Nothing of eternal significance is ever accomplished apart from prayer.” A wise mentor taught me that. The dad in your story, Andrew, seems to have been aware of it, too. Great example. We naively see ourselves sometimes as the only force acting upon a situation.

By: Andrew Marin

Andrew Marin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:43:17 +0000

Jon – No, but what they did do was add a few general conservative Christian books as well – not ex-gay books, but worldview type stuff for equal balance – which for a public school system is quite “progressive.” Funny usage of that word, huh? Since those beginning stages much of their relationship has moved outside of the topic of homosexuality.

Melanie – Sweet example! I couldn’t agree more with the ‘safe’ issue.

Brad – I’ll have to retract some of my post then…yes, some extremely large and countercultural marches would make a lot of difference in the cultural psyche.