For those confused as to why a secular world increasingly views evangelicals as hateful, a private Christian school recently notified the great-grandparents (legal guardians) of an 8-year old girl that she is not sufficiently feminine and thus outside “biblical standards.”
The letter reads in part: “We believe that unless [child’s name deleted] and her family clearly understand that
God has made her female and her dress and behavior need to follow suit
with her God-ordained identity, that [school name deleted] is not the best place for her
future education.”
The letter indicates that the school can refuse education to individuals who practice sexual immorality, homosexuality or alternative gender identity.
Several thoughts:
First, this story grieves my heart. An 8-year old is not capable of practicing sexuality or alternative gender identity. Turning this into a biblical values issue is tragic.
Second, this 8-year old child’s gender identity development should never have been published in the press. Handling this privately (via an area church leader) might have been a more appropriate way to resolve this injustice. Media exposure could yield shame later on and expose her to a higher risk of bullying and teasing. I am disappointed that this was not handled privately (for the child’s sake).
Finally, school officials have applied an adult understanding of gender expression to a child potentially causing serious spiritual harm to her over time. When we deconstruct a “little child” into one who displeases God, we gravely disappoint (yes, even anger) God. This is an utter shame.
To be fair, the school claims that there are much more serious issues involved that have not been disclosed. However, without those details, we are left to interpret the story that is available.
To this cute little girl, I say: Jesus loves you this I know for the Bible tells me so!
Christians: we can and must do better than this. Jesus have mercy on us – and bless this child!
Link – http://www.cbsnews.com/news/christian-school-complains-8-year-old-girl-isnt-girly-enough
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That's tragic! I went to a Christian school overseas, and I don't know how my pre-teen boy-self would have reacted to being told I couldn't bring my knitting to school, or couldn't read Little Women because I had to be 'manly' in someone's extra-Biblical ideal of manhood.
I wonder what the girl did 'wrong'? Did she want to play football with the boys, or have short hair?