Apr 29 2008
Great alternative for ‘Day of Silence’
As thousands of students across the nation participated in the “The Day of Silence” – a vow among students to remain silent throughout the day in recognition and protest of the perceived “silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in schools” – Christians found themselves facing a dilemma.
Although many Christians were vocal in their opposition to what they claimed was an annual endorsement of homosexuality – many called for a boycott of the event, and a number of organizations even urged parents to keep their children away from school that day – other Christians looked for ways to reach out to their homosexual peers while emphasizing the loving teachings of Christ.
Dr. Warren Throckmorton, associate professor of Psychology at Grove City College, and Michael Frey, Western PA Director for College Ministries with Campus Crusade were both instrumental in organizing what they called the “Golden Rule Initiative,” an alternative non-confrontational approach to The Day of Silence, which took place Friday.
As part of the “Golden Rule Initiative,” students passed out cards throughout the day vowing to live in the manner of Christ’s teaching to “Do to others as you would have them do to you” in reference to the passage from Scripture. The cards also read, “As a follower of Christ, I believe that all people are created in the image of God and therefore deserve love and respect.”
Over a dozen schools and campus ministries across the nation participated in the Golden Rule Imitative, and responses from students were reportedly positive.
Read about it here.
[From me]
Sounds like a great alternative to me. Next year I will encourage others to use this card. Great way to display the love of Jesus in a practical, loving way.
What do you think?
7 responses so far
I think it’s great that someone has put forth this initiative, rather than responding with the usual bickering and fussing that so often comes from our brothers and sisters in Christ. What’s sad, I guess, is that an initiative like this is even needed in the first place. Those in the Christian culture in the U.S. and around the world have become so accustomed to protesting, rallying, marching and speaking out against various kinds of outward sinful behavior, that the idea of actually loving sinners and putting our arms around them is a foreign idea!
Joel Brueseke’s last blog post..139. People aren’t made whole or set free by focusing on sinful behavior
Personally, I think it’s a great idea. It’s a complete 180-degree turn-around from the protests. I’m definitely in favor.
The only way I could think to improve on the idea would be to make it more inclusive by giving due accreditation for the Golden Rule to its earliest originators:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethic_of_reciprocity
Then point out that it is a central theme of Christianity, as well as other religions and philosophies, all of who are welcome and even encouraged to take part in the Golden-Rule Initiative.
Excellent idea. Something Biblical and positive.
Neil’s last blog post..Evil
I have to agree! What a wonderful idea! One that we’d fully participate in, too!
Christine’s last blog post..UPO
Hear hear!!
Chris Knight’s last blog post..Quicktime video of the new INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL commercial
Thanks for blogging about the Golden Rule Pledge. We are getting great reports from the students who participated.
If anyone here is interested in being a part of it or keeping up with it, you can join a listservice that will keep you informed by going here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goldenrulepledge/
or by checking the website here:
http://www.goldenrulepledge.com
We hope to change the tone of the conversation surrounding homosexual outreach and ministry.
Thanks, Warren Throckmorton
Warren Throckmorton’s last blog post..Golden Rule Pledge on the Day of Silence: University of North Carolina-Greensboro
Dr. Throckmorton,
Thanks so much for stopping by. I think your idea is a wonderful one. I hope we will all take advantage of your ministry.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Defend, admit or keep quiet?