Long cry in the hustle and bustle
The current status of the gender identity and sexual orientation movement in Canada
and the direction of Christian action
obstructed assembly
On the morning of June 15, 2019, a rally to safeguard parents’ rights and freedom of speech and oppose extremist actions in sex education was about to start, but it was delayed in getting started.
On the podium of the rally - on the steps outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, there were uninvited LGBTQ2+ (that is, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queers, two-spirit people, and other sexual orientations, Short for gender identity) occupies. They rushed to set up loudspeakers with high decibels. Some people held up objection placards with obscene words and used loudspeakers and sirens to make loud noises. There was also a group of people who ran around among the people in the outfield to harass them. In the small venue, dozens of police and security personnel were on standby.
▲The author of this article participated in the rally on June 15, 2019, and joined other parents to defend their children’s gender education. (Photo courtesy: Zhenyan)
Finally, with difficulty, several security personnel held hands on the podium to create a "safe" space, allowing the host and speakers to enter, and the rally began. However, the constant noise during the two-hour rally made it difficult to hear the speeches clearly.
Being present at the scene, I understand that this reflects the current situation on gender issues in Canada - the government, media, and education system all support the concept of sexual orientation and gender diversity, and forcefully instill it in all school students; for those who question and oppose it, Others suppress them in a biased, distorted, or even bullying way.
The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms in the Canadian Constitution clearly stipulates the protection of people’s freedom of thought, speech, belief and peaceful assembly1. However, this country, which was founded on the protection of human rights and freedoms, is now rapidly slipping into protecting only certain individuals at all costs. freedom extremism of some groups.
▲Some people brought signs with offensive words and came to disturb the situation and hinder the progress of the rally. (Photo courtesy: Zhenyan)
Great changes in social values
Over the past few years, society has focused on protecting LGBTQ2+ people from discrimination and bullying. The movement for the rights of the LGBTQ2+ community was originally cautious, but in recent years, a "culture war" has been rapidly spreading in Canada. Once upon a time, the government used a large amount of public resources to actively promote transgender and transgender concepts that only a small number of people could accept, and had penetrated and pervaded the mainstream system, plunging the country into a cultural crisis.
In the fall of 2016, Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Education Resources (SOGI123) were hastily passed in British Columbia and implemented in all public schools and many private schools in grades K-12. 2 The superficial purpose of this set of educational resources is to reduce discrimination against transgender people and create a more inclusive school environment, but in fact it promotes a new set of gender and sexual orientation concepts, not only instilling transgender, transgender, etc. knowledge, and promote transgenderism and various sexual orientations in a "celebrating and cheering" way, and even deliberately guide children with normal gender identities to re-understand themselves, causing some children to have gender confusion, frustration, and fall into depression.
SOGI123 is so disruptive, but it was approved and implemented in a short period of time. The approval process did not consult the school boards and the Canadian Public Employees Union, nor did it go through the normal testing and evaluation phase. 3Although SOGI123 was opposed by many people after its implementation, a free country actually tried to protect one side and blocked the other. SOGI has become a topic that no longer needs to be discussed and cannot be challenged in Canada. LGBTQ2+ has become Canada’s most important gender issue. The "truth" on the issue.
▲The reason why the pastor was arrested: preaching in public that God loves the world. Transgender issues are not only a cultural war, but also a spiritual war (Photo courtesy: Zhenyan)
After the implementation of SOGI123
If you spend a little time studying the content of SOGI123, you will find that the purpose of this set of lesson plans goes far beyond respecting and protecting vulnerable groups.
SOGI123 strongly advocates that gender is not solely determined by biological structure, giving a new definition to "sexism" or "sexism", describing the correct concept of the difference between men and women as "sexist social habits", and strategically using fictional data, emotions Manipulative and high-pressure treatment of schoolchildren over the age of six erodes children's innate sense of self.
This lesson plan teaches that students who identify as girls but have bodies with male anatomy are free to use women's restrooms, locker rooms, and bathrooms (and vice versa); that the decision to undergo gender reassignment medical treatment is viewed as an admirable heroic act; and that no one should be allowed to use gender reassignment care. Violate the transgender rights of others, including minors.
SOGI123 also contains gay pornographic content, advocates that oral sex and anal sex are normal sexual behaviors, and provides video URLs for learning reference, reducing school sex education to a channel for instilling extreme sexual behaviors in minors.
Today, in British Columbia classrooms, students are asked to complete the following tasks:
‧ Please close your eyes, raise your hands, and meditate. On a scale from 1 to 100, where 1 represents a complete male and 100 represents a complete female, where does your gender fall? You'll need to fill out an additional questionnaire, and you'll be given a score from 1-100 that tells you your true gender orientation. 4
‧Imagine you have two dads or two moms. Talk about how you feel. 5
‧ Write a script about your feelings after transitioning. Practice how to "come out".
‧ Do you know the laws and regulations that protect the rights of transgender minors? Did you understand that parents cannot coerce you if you have any gender confusion? Did you know that if you seek gender reassignment medication or surgery, you do not need to tell your parents and the school will protect your privacy?
Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted at the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, confirms that parents have the right to choose the type of education their children should receive. 6 By implementing the controversial SOGI123, the BC Ministry of Education is actually taking away the priority rights of education from parents. It also deprives parents of their right to know about their children’s status in school. It also conflicts with existing school regulations.
SOGI123 has gone too far, wearing a mask of "tolerance" but creating greater barriers; advocating "diversity" but forcing everyone to converge; creating a so-called "safe" environment by banning only one side to speak out in order to fight against bullying The tendency is to brutally assimilate diverse groups of people.
In fact, protecting freedom of sexual orientation and gender identity and protecting freedom of speech and belief can go hand in hand. Bullying of any nature should be stopped, and severe bullying should be punished in accordance with the law. It does not need to be solved by forcibly promoting controversial gender and sexuality education that is not accepted by the public and create bigger problems.
Shortly after the implementation of SOGI123, Barry Neufeld, director of the Chilliwack School Board in British Columbia, publicly stated that although he agreed with the need to accept transgender children, he did not agree with the controversial issue of gender fluidity. Teach children "facts". As a result, he was sued by the school district union for infringing on human rights. The union and the Minister of Education of British Columbia simultaneously forced him to resign. In fact, many parents and teachers support Nufield, but the current environment makes them afraid to express their opinions publicly. In the past two years, public rallies against SOGI have been disrupted and obstructed many times, and even parent symposiums planned within some churches have been canceled due to malicious threats.
In April 2019, the Special Court of Canada fined social activist Bill Whatcott $55,000 Canadian dollars for distributing leaflets during the 2017 BC provincial election and saying that a candidate claiming to be female actually The fact that it is male. 7
A 14-year-old boy in British Columbia who was born female asked for testosterone sex reassignment treatment. His mother supported it, but his father, who has joint custody, believed the consequences of the treatment were too complicated and risky, and the decision should wait until adulthood. . BC Children's Hospital insists it is the child's decision whether to receive treatment.
In May 2019, the British Columbia Supreme Court ordered the father to stop trying to convince his child to give up gender reassignment treatment, not to call the child by her birth name or any female pronouns, and not to express his opinions in the media or else he would be arrested. 8.9 The Supreme Court of Canada has long insisted that freedom of speech is the blood and lifeline of the democratic system. However, on transgender issues, freedom of speech has become the privilege of a few people, forming an incredible one-way "ban" phenomenon in a democratic society.
Looking at the mainstream media, they are supposed to provide objective and neutral reports, but they try their best to speak only for the transgender community, and adopt an indifferent, one-sided or distorted attitude towards those with different opinions. It is difficult to find information against SOGI123 online. Even transgender Jenn Smith wanted to share her own experience, but due to social pressure, the lecture was canceled five times because it was detrimental to the LGBTQ2+ community. Today's mainstream media are good at producing "fake news." High-level "fake news" is not all fake, but is blind, taking things out of context, playing word games, confusing and misleading, and inciting hatred.
Speaking of the church, over the years, the church has understood the importance of accepting LGBTQ2+ people with love. However, in terms of specific responses to how to love sinners without loving sin, two groups have gradually formed: some adhere to the truth and love people without recognizing sin; In order to accept people to the greatest extent, they even create new "theology" and quote Bible verses to say that God approves of diverse genders and sexual orientations.
As of October 2018, more than 60 Christian leaders and more than 600 Christians in British Columbia have signed in support of SOGI123. In an open letter to the Minister of Education, these leaders openly claimed that the Bible supports the concept of SOGI123, and quoted Mark 9:36 and 37 out of context to support their views, saying that Jesus taught people to eliminate barriers and get close to vulnerable groups. But this and SOGI123 teaches that everyone must examine and choose their own gender and sexual orientation on a wide spectrum. They are two completely different topics. They seriously misinterpret and misuse God's words.
Canada, a free country, has evolved into a society that protects the freedom of some people at the expense of other groups.
▲In the fall of 2016, Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Education Resources (SOGI123) were hastily passed in British Columbia and implemented in all public schools and many private schools in grades K-12. With the promotion of SOGI123 educational resources, parents are worried that this set of teaching materials will cause gender confusion in their children.
how to respond?
Canadian liberals have been able to achieve so much in just a few years, partly because they are very motivated and active in defending their rights, and partly because conservatives have been willing to stay within the protective wall of their own safety for many years and not care about worldly affairs. Failure to exercise civil rights. As a result, we suddenly discovered that the weak have become strong, and the strong are rewriting the "truth" of the country.
In such a dangerous environment, how can a group that firmly believes that people are only divided into men and women and that marriage should only exist between a man and a woman insist on safeguarding their right to express their thoughts and beliefs freely? How to protect minors? How to protect parents’ rights to protect and discipline their minor children?
▲In September 2018, a small group of courageous Christian leaders on the West Coast of Canada launched the West Coast Christian Agreement, which aims to unite Christian leaders and churches with the same understanding and beliefs on gender identity and sexual orientation issues to form a unified Strength, join hands with love and action to go on the gospel mission.
Outward: Go out and fight for rights and interests
Amid the turmoil, more and more Christian parents no longer trust public schools, so they transfer their children to Christian schools or educate them at home. This decision is expensive, but it can only solve the educational needs of your own children to a certain extent. At the same time, some Christian schools also "surrendered" to the Department of Education and supported SOGI123. According to this development, it can be expected that after the younger generation accepts the brainwashing education in schools, the entire society will fall into a great chaos of gender identity and sexual orientation. By then, not only will our own children be able to protect themselves, they will become a "minority" and "anomaly" in society, facing a huge crisis of identity and survival.
The chaotic and disordered postmodern society is full of signs of the end of the world. God’s people should be convinced that the truth is eternal and unchangeable, and that everything, including the end of the world, is in God’s plan. God is love. True love is not accommodating blindly, true love does not give in to lies, but uses open arms, endures for a long time, and cares with practical actions. When we are afraid, forced, and have no other choice, we don’t need to give in to “false truth” and we don’t need to worry about fewer people coming to church because of it. God does not care how the church grows; God cares about each person. He is willing to lay down his life for each person, personally calling his name and waiting for him to come home. For example, Chapter 9 of Romans in the Message Bible quotes the call of the prophet Isaiah: “Even if every grain of sand on the seashore were counted as ‘God’s chosen people,’ it would be just a number, not a name; salvation comes from God chooses individually. God does not count heads; He calls each of us by name."
God’s people must also unite, go out, and use every opportunity to speak out and fight for their rights. When the LGBTQ2+ community was in a disadvantaged situation, they understood the importance of uniting various forces, constantly speaking out, and building momentum. They persevered, and the result was a significant change in social culture.
Christians cannot stay behind closed doors and trap the next generation in a safety net. The group of God's people must actively participate in social life and culture in order to have an impact on it. In September 2018, a small group of courageous Christian leaders from Canada’s West Coast launched the West Coast Christian Accord, later expanded and renamed One Accord, with the aim of connecting issues of gender identity and sexual orientation. Christian leaders and churches with the same understanding and belief form a unified force and join hands in the mission of the gospel with love and action. As of the time of writing this article, more than 6,000 pastors and Christians have signed the agreement and are touring various provinces in Canada to hold a 21-day joint action of fasting and prayer. The Let's Vote Association of Canada actively helps voters gain a timely and in-depth understanding of each candidate's stance on major issues, including transgender issues.
God’s people should actively participate in elections and voting at all levels of government. Even believers who are not interested in politics should understand that participating in elections is a citizen’s right and responsibility. Because different election results will definitely have an impact on personal lives and social trends. Participating in an election is not just a matter of the day of voting. You must also take the initiative to understand the election situation throughout the entire process, communicate with candidates and the community, and increase your judgment. Only then can you cast a sacred vote that truly represents your heart. If conditions permit, you can also serve as a volunteer in election-support activities or provide funds to support the election.
▲Christians should actively participate in and understand elections and voting at all levels of government. Government policies are closely related to everyone.
Inward: Continuously Maintaining the Foundation of Family Education and Healthy Relationships
Since the primary person responsible for educating children is parents, in such a chaotic educational environment, parents cannot "rest assured" and leave their children to schools for education. They must have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the teaching concepts of gender and sexuality education in schools and actively respond to them. And within the permitted scope, children are required not to participate in unacceptable teaching activities. At home, parents need to take the initiative to discuss with their children. Maybe the child has questions, doesn't know how to face evil, or has been deceived. This requires parents to accompany them, support the child to stick to the true way, help them master more correct language and coping methods, not give in to fallacies, and learn to protect themselves. rights and status.
The best way for Christians to bear witness in troubled times is to live a good life that is in line with God’s will. In relationships with elders, spouses, parents and children, God’s blessings are demonstrated, faith is passed on, and truth becomes a topic that the family is happy and dare to talk about. Many children whose gender and sexual orientation are easily confused and misled have long-term unresolved problems in their original family relationships or family structure. Therefore, they turn to doubt their gender identity and get lost in the profound and rugged road. Therefore, the family is the position that Christians should hold firm to.
The transgender issue is not only a culture war, but also a spiritual war. The most important thing for God’s people is to pray persistently. In prayer anytime and anywhere, ask God to give us the wisdom and courage we need, to firmly believe in God’s way and His sovereignty, to persist in loving others as ourselves, but not to betray ourselves out of fear. May the only thing we fear is the Lord! May the Lord’s will be done!
▲The best way for Christians to bear witness in troubled times is to live a good life that is in line with God’s will.
1. Department of Justice, Government of Canada. 2019. (https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/learn-apprend.html)
2. SOGI (Sexual Orientation Gender Identity) Education. 2019. (https://www.sogieducation.org/)
SOGI123 educational resources are led by the ARC Foundation, which fights sexual diversity and gender discrimination, and are jointly developed by the BC Ministry of Education, school boards, the UBC Department of Education, and local, national and international LGBTQ+ community organizations. The program helps teachers align school codes of conduct with provincial policies and integrate SOGI into classroom learning.
3. Barbara Kay, “BC school official protects ‘transgender education’ – and pays the price”, National Post, January 24, 2018.
4. Refer to SOGI123 content: https://bc.sogieducation.org/qa.
5. Refer to SOGI123 kindergarten and first grade lesson plans: https://bc.sogieducation.org/sogi3#elementary-lesson-plans.
6. United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. (https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/)
7. Vancouver Sun. March 28, 2019. (https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/anti-gay-activist-ordered-to-pay-55000-to-bc-trans-activist-in-fight -over-hateful-flyer)
8. National Post. January 18, 2019. (https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/who-gets-to-decide-when-a-14-year-old-wants-to-change-gender)
9. The Christian Post. March 2, 2019. (https://www.christianpost.com/news/canadian-judge-rules-father-has-no-parental-rights-stop-daughters-male-hormone-injections. html)
True face, economic researcher, minister of literature. I look forward to being renewed every day in God’s grace. Use heavenly culture to transform and infiltrate secular culture.