Happy Atheist Forum

Focus on the Family opposes the Anti-Bullying Program (http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/focus_on_the_family_dont_let_gay_activists_hijack.php) in schools because it's "gay".

QuoteFocus on the Family has a message for gay rights activists: stay off the playground.
Cushman's argument has two levels: first, she says anti-bullying efforts wrongly put the focus on the "characteristics of the victim" instead of the "wrong actions of the bullies." Second, she thinks that gay rights activists are using the whole issue to sneak their agenda into the nation's schools. She denounced the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

I hope this wakes people up as to what this propaganda machine is. They don't give a flying fuck about kids.

GLSEN's respnse:

QuoteFocus on the Family has tried to discredit GLSEN's efforts to make schools safe for all students since our founding in 1990. These most recent attempts show that, once again, Focus on the Family either doesn't know what it is talking about or simply don't care about addressing bullying, or both. The policies we support - which, by the way, include protections for bullying based on religion - have been shown by years of research to make a difference in young people's lives. That is why nearly 70 national education, youth service and civil and human rights organizations endorse the Safe Schools Improvement Act. In terms of LGBT youth, we certainly hope that Focus on the Family agrees that the current environment in which nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT students experience harassment each year in school is simply unacceptable. But we won't hold our breath.

That is an ugly story.
I suppose when the kids suicide, that will be fault of gays.
Not these ass-holes who make their life unbearable.

We, as a country, should classify Focus on the Family as a hate group. They're basically calling for violence against gay people. It's shocking and disgusting.

I wonder if they blame themselves for things like Larry King's murder (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/23/us/23oxnard.html).

I'm confused. First, what is the gay agenda?   Second, how exactly is Focus on Family pro-bullying?

Quote from: "humblesmurph"I'm confused. First, what is the gay agenda?   Second, how exactly is Focus on Family pro-bullying?

What's called the gay agenda is actually equality. Equality of gay people in American society is seen by fundamentalist Christians (and Muslims) as a encroachment on their religious right to be bigots. Recently, legislation has been proposed to significantly reduce bullying, including against gay children, as it's really bad on some places. In response to this legislation, Focus on the Family has chosen to side with the bullies against gay kids. I'd call that pro-bullying.

Quote from: "Will"

Quote from: "humblesmurph"I'm confused. First, what is the gay agenda?   Second, how exactly is Focus on Family pro-bullying?

What's called the gay agenda is actually equality. Equality of gay people in American society is seen by fundamentalist Christians (and Muslims) as a encroachment on their religious right to be bigots. Recently, legislation has been proposed to significantly reduce bullying, including against gay children, as it's really bad on some places. In response to this legislation, Focus on the Family has chosen to side with the bullies against gay kids. I'd call that pro-bullying.

Ok, so the there is no gay agenda, just people wanting people to be treated fairly.  That makes sense.  

I assume that Focus on the Family hasn't blatantly endorsed bullying, that would be dumb.  I also assume you are correct in your assertion that Focus on Family is siding with the bullies, I just don't see it in the article posted.  Is there some background info that I don't know of?  What specific language or policies is Focus on the Family objecting to?

The anti-bullying lessons in the classrooms will include the fact that gay students should be accepted to a point where you're not hitting them. Focus on the Family didn't like "Gay" and "accepted" in the same idea.

Quote from: "Will"The anti-bullying lessons in the classrooms will include the fact that gay students should be accepted to a point where you're not hitting them. Focus on the Family didn't like "Gay" and "accepted" in the same idea.

Got it, thanks

As a martial artist, I have studied bullying quite a bit. There is no solution. Focus on the Family doesn't want the whole thing becoming a gay-sympathy issue, when people are bullied for lots of reasons. Might it not actually be the homosexual community that is using this issue to push an agenda?

I'm not anti-gay. Though you'll no doubt accuse me of it. But the fact is really simple: in school, for your own protection, you probably need to keep your sexuality to yourself and with yourself. Just stay in the closet until you get to college.

Not fair? Wake up.

Hey, I'm back in!  

A well run school has zero tolerance for bullying.   The bullying kid is brought in.  The parents are brought in.  They get with the policy or the kid is expelled.  No gay kid should be forced to be in a closet to avoid bullying.

Quote from: "Edward the Theist"As a martial artist, I have studied bullying quite a bit. There is no solution. Focus on the Family doesn't want the whole thing becoming a gay-sympathy issue, when people are bullied for lots of reasons. Might it not actually be the homosexual community that is using this issue to push an agenda?

I'm not anti-gay. Though you'll no doubt accuse me of it. But the fact is really simple: in school, for your own protection, you probably need to keep your sexuality to yourself and with yourself. Just stay in the closet until you get to college.

Not fair? Wake up.

Hey, I'm back in!  :|

Quote from: "Edward the Theist"I'm not anti-gay. Though you'll no doubt accuse me of it. But the fact is really simple: in school, for your own protection, you probably need to keep your sexuality to yourself and with yourself. Just stay in the closet until you get to college.

Not fair? Wake up.

Hey, I'm back in!  :hmm:

Edward the Theist

QuoteI'm not anti-gay. Though you'll no doubt accuse me of it.

Not really good at this Abrahamic theist thing, are you...

 

QuoteBut the fact is really simple: in school, for your own protection, you probably need to keep your sexuality to yourself and with yourself

It is a fact that something probably..? Not very good at making points either, it seems.

QuoteJust stay in the closet until you get to college.

BS. Do what you think you must, then pay the price - always the best advise to give, since it actually DOES apply to all.

QuoteNot fair? Wake up.

Fair..? I would just call it shitty advise.

QuoteHey, I'm back in!  :raised:

What if Christians were the minority subject to bullying? Should they then be the only ones required to "keep the religion they identify with to themselves" until in college? What you are claiming is a ridiculous double-standard of bigotry.

Can't we all just get along?  

Quote from: "skwurll"Can't we all just get along?  :D

Quote from: "skwurll"Can't we all just get along?  

Well yes, but forums don't tend to be the place where people do get along. Friendships are for real life. You might bump into somebody here that you go on to get on with in real life, but trust me on this, the vast majority of on-line 'friendships' have all the resilience of fog in the sahara. I'll count 1 good one an a handful of acquaintances. And the top dozen biggest bastards, arseholes and bitches I've ever come across I came across on-line and at some point called them friend. And they were all atheists, although that element is probably because I tend to hang around on atheist forums.

Quote from: "Edward the Theist"I'm not anti-gay. Though you'll no doubt accuse me of it. But the fact is really simple: in school, for your own protection, you probably need to keep your sexuality to yourself and with yourself. Just stay in the closet until you get to college

I've heard a comedian who does a thing on racists who say "I'm not a racist, but"
Well everything that comes after the but just confirms they're a racist.
Just stay in the closet?
You don't actually have to be gay to be bullied, just the mere suspicion will do.
Not joining in the gay bashing is enough to arouse suspicion.
It also helps to cut your hair like a marine, follow football and act obnoxious.

Quote from: "The Magic Pudding"

Quote from: "Edward the Theist"I'm not anti-gay. Though you'll no doubt accuse me of it. But the fact is really simple: in school, for your own protection, you probably need to keep your sexuality to yourself and with yourself. Just stay in the closet until you get to college

I've heard a comedian who does a thing on racists who say "I'm not a racist, but"
Well everything that comes after the but just confirms they're a racist.
Just stay in the closet?
You don't actually have to be gay to be bullied, just the mere suspicion will do.
Not joining in the gay bashing is enough to arouse suspicion.
It also helps to cut your hair like a marine, follow football and act obnoxious.

According to that logic, Edward the Theist, kids who are teased for their looks should put a bag over their heads, kids who are teased for being smart should pretend they aren't, kids who are teased for being socially awkward should not go to school, etc, etc, etc.  The problem isn't the fact that everyone is different, the problem is the bullies who target those they see as different.  That is where we need to focus our efforts - on the bullies, not on telling the victims to become better at hiding.

Focus on the Family, American Family Association, and all the other organizations that have radio shows are often hateful, mean-spirited, covertly racist, war mongering, sexually repressed, fascist loving, psychotic little monkeys.

I used to listen to FOF station when I worked the night shift because it was the only thing that kept me awake at night (got me worked up on how stupid it was) and the only thing that came in to the boonies.

I remember one lady complained that she couldn't see what her daughter was reading at her school library. She was bitching for over 20 minutes about how she had complete and utter control over what her kids do in their lives. Something tells me her kids are going to go crazy and have an ungodly amount of unprotected sex and get knocked up like Bristol Palin.

I remember another one was complaining about how Atheists have no room to complain about bullying from Christians because Christians go get murdered when they proselytize to other people in other countries.

Focus on the Family is also very very racist but they are so good at masking it you have to really try and read between the lines. They openly are homophobic but since racism is so out of favor they have worked on their ways of conveying it.

QuoteAccording to that logic, Edward the Theist, kids who are teased for their looks should put a bag over their heads,

Nah... God did, after all, create cosmethic surgery.

Quotekids who are teased for being smart should pretend they aren't

Copious amounts of alcohol can help too.

Quotekids who are teased for being socially awkward should not go to school

OR, they can just do some honest Columbinin' and have the school for themselves... Until the cops show up.

QuoteThe problem isn't the fact that everyone is different, the problem is the bullies who target those they see as different

Jokes aside, I think those who stand by and watch are just as big a part of the problem. If you tolerate bullying, someone will always try.

QuoteThat is where we need to focus our efforts - on the bullies, not on telling the victims to become better at hiding.

How about focusing on our general attitude towards fellow students or coworkers being abused by their peers first?

Quote from: "Velma"According to that logic, Edward the Theist, kids who are teased for their looks should put a bag over their heads, kids who are teased for being smart should pretend they aren't, kids who are teased for being socially awkward should not go to school, etc, etc, etc.

:hail:  :hail:

Quote

QuoteThat is where we need to focus our efforts - on the bullies, not on telling the victims to become better at hiding.

How about focusing on our general attitude towards fellow students or coworkers being abused by their peers first?

Both are important. The bullied, of course, to see to it their lives aren't a living hell. The bullies (or bullying rather) to prevent it from happening again or to others.

Quote from: "Sophus"Both are important. The bullied, of course, to see to it their lives aren't a living hell. The bullies (or bullying rather) to prevent it from happening again or to others.

Of course. However, you can't abolish crime just by concentrating on rehabilitating or putting away the criminals. Just as big a part of it is the collective response of the society to crime. And by response, I mean deeds rather than empty phrases.

Quote from: "The Magic Pudding"

Quote from: "Edward the Theist"I'm not anti-gay. Though you'll no doubt accuse me of it. But the fact is really simple: in school, for your own protection, you probably need to keep your sexuality to yourself and with yourself. Just stay in the closet until you get to college

I've heard a comedian who does a thing on racists who say "I'm not a racist, but"
Well everything that comes after the but just confirms they're a racist.
Just stay in the closet?
You don't actually have to be gay to be bullied, just the mere suspicion will do.
Not joining in the gay bashing is enough to arouse suspicion.
It also helps to cut your hair like a marine, follow football and act obnoxious.

I bet "some of his best friends" are gay.

No, really.

Quote from: "Asmodean"

Quote from: "Sophus"Both are important. The bullied, of course, to see to it their lives aren't a living hell. The bullies (or bullying rather) to prevent it from happening again or to others.

Of course. However, you can't abolish crime just by concentrating on rehabilitating or putting away the criminals. Just as big a part of it is the collective response of the society to crime. And by response, I mean deeds rather than empty phrases.

To make my point, I did oversimplify a bit.  Any approach that only focuses on one aspect of the problem is almost guaranteed to fail.  However, Edward the Theist's approach of telling the victims they have to do a better job of hiding certainly isn't going to solve a thing.

We are all in agreement then.  :devil:

Quote from: "Tank"And the top dozen biggest bastards, arseholes and bitches I've ever come across I came across on-line and at some point called them friend. And they were all atheists, although that element is probably because I tend to hang around on atheist forums.

 lol  

Quote from: "deekayfry"

Quote from: "Tank"And the top dozen biggest bastards, arseholes and bitches I've ever come across I came across on-line and at some point called them friend. And they were all atheists, although that element is probably because I tend to hang around on atheist forums.

 lol  

Tank didn't mean that as a joke.

Quote from: "Velma"

Quote from: "deekayfry"

Quote from: "Tank"And the top dozen biggest bastards, arseholes and bitches I've ever come across I came across on-line and at some point called them friend. And they were all atheists, although that element is probably because I tend to hang around on atheist forums.

 lol  ;)  Though we are both sitting here laughing about it..... call it a dry sense of humor  

Quote from: "Velma"

Quote from: "deekayfry"

Quote from: "Tank"And the top dozen biggest bastards, arseholes and bitches I've ever come across I came across on-line and at some point called them friend. And they were all atheists, although that element is probably because I tend to hang around on atheist forums.

 lol  ;)  Though we are both sitting here laughing about it..... call it a dry sense of humor  

If my posts bring amusement my work is done (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg710.imageshack.us%2Fimg710%2F1158%2Flevi.gif&hash=3cb8d4d59c1baff2a81e4a13a3edf26da517ba7d)

Quote from: "Will"We, as a country, should classify Focus on the Family as a hate group. They're basically calling for violence against gay people. It's shocking and disgusting.

Clearly.  They're as anti-everything-natural as Westboro Baptist is.

Quote from: "Edward the Theist"Hey, I'm back in!  

Pass the pink cookies, please.  
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi28.tinypic.com%2F10opixt.jpg&hash=6a4fbbe6a9ed96061d202a9fb20ab22457ab7040)

Those are some ugly dolls those two Norwegian girls have in your pic, poop.

Quote from: "Big Mac"those two Norwegian girls

:P

Quote from: "Asmodean"

Quote from: "Big Mac"those two Norwegian girls

:P

Oh look. Somebody mentioned me!  

Quote from: "Cecilie"

Quote from: "Asmodean"

Quote from: "Big Mac"those two Norwegian girls

:P

Oh look. Somebody mentioned me!  :hide:

Quote from: "PoopShoot"Pfft.  I posted your picture.   lol

Finally had a moment to watch the interview.  OMG!  How much dodging and weaving can one woman do to avoid giving a straight answer?  

Quote from: "Cecilie"

Quote from: "PoopShoot"Pfft.  I posted your picture.   lol

But honestly, I'm sure you;re lovely.

Quote from: "PoopShoot"But honestly, I'm sure you;re lovely.

We do make great womenfolk here in scandinavia, you know.