david f,

you write
'Homophobic bullying is a real problem in the schools, and Scripture Union chaplains can only make the problem worse because their type of religion is homophobic.'

Yes homophobic like every other form of bullying is a problem in schools. Fat kids in particular cop it. It should not stop educators from encouraging kids to eat healthily. Some fat kids commit suicide due to constant tormenting. It is much better that homosexuality not be promoted in schools along with all other forms of immorality. Your labeling of anyone disagreeing with you as homophobic shows how bigoted your views are. Homosexuality is bad for a person;s health and for society.

Dear runner,

There is such a thing as homophobia whether you care to recogise it or not. Recognising that homsexuality exists and that homosexuals are humans who should be treated with the same consideration that we treat all other humans is not promoting homosexuality.

You wrote: "Your labeling of anyone disagreeing with you as homophobic shows how bigoted your views are. Homosexuality is bad for a person;s health and for society."

I have not lablled all who disagree with me as homophobic, and I would appreciate it if you would stop lying about it.

Homosexuality is not a disease and is part of society.

I am rather skeptical about these proposed “social and emotional learning” classes. In a feminist education system, would this become something similar to “males are evil and can’t express their feelings, and need to be taught how”.

We already have an education system focused on talking about something rather than doing something, and these proposed “social and emotional learning” classes would appear to be more of the same.

In a feminist education system, I haven’t actually heard a teacher say anything positive about boys, but I have heard quite a few say that “boys do all right later on”.

This allows the teacher to have a dismissive attitude to boys, and I am therefore wondering how much the education system is now actually part of the problem?

Well I did ask to at least start talking about it... so thanks :)

The feedback I've received suggests (as I know) there is no single answer. Yes for some it is religion, for others it is something else entirely.

Also homophobia is, in my opinion, a big issue, and one I will address in a coming article.

@Arthur N - Its the feedback from people who have suffered and/or parents/relatives of those who have who have been most supportive of my article, and I thank you sincerely.

@Vanna - I can assure you your views are not yours alone. I am absolutely resolute in my approach to the welfare and health of ALL my students. I'd invite you to look at my website for a little more of an insight... although it is still in it's infancy, I hope it gives more of an idea of my education philosophy than one 750 word article. Thanks :)

When I was at school, I never saw ONE instance of homophobic bullying, but I sure as heck saw a lot of bullying and experienced it.

You are a target if you:

a) Act weak
b) look different

I think the issue is blown out of proportion by people who just want to use the 'sympathy' card to further a decadent social agenda.

Yep..you heard right.. 'decadent'.

If people wish to characterize such thoughts as anything but legitimate, I challenge them to provide philosophical grounds to do so.

Unless we can all refer to a higher power.. bigger than all of us, then we are left with as many opinions about right and wrong as there are people..all equally valid.
It so happens that the Higher Power who has revealed His will to mankind has included very apt descriptions of certain behavior which He considers an abomination.

We can leave people to their own behavior to a certain extent. We cannot however allow them to teach/educate our children that behavior's which are decadent are in fact 'ok/normal'.

The latest study in the U.S. concluded in August of this year Yabby.

It was found that many young people, who as children, had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, later on continued to develop full scale depression as a result of either having a genetic tendency to have lower seratonin levels affecting the neurotransmitters or Seratonin levels inadequate for a variety of reasons, affecting the neurotransmitters.

In some people who exhibit symptoms of a range of eating disorders, Seratonin levels have been identified as the cause, after a full case study has been undertaken on individuals ie zooming back to childhood.

It is common knowledge that some people with anxiety and/or depression do not attempt to commit suicide. On the other hand, of course, there is always someone we know through family or as a close friend or work colleague who has [taken their life] as a result of depression triggered by a range of factors.

Getting to the root of the trigger[s] and cause is urgent and critical, therefore caring and encouraging anyone with depression and or anxiety to see a professional immediately saves lives along with assisting their childrens lives and spouses from later dealing with the shocking bereavements.