What Creeping Sharia Law Looks Like
And this is right here in Millsboro and the Indian River School District, where one Shaun Fink is trying to impose his religious bigotries (beliefs masquerading as bigotry) on the high school students in the District. You can read the details of Mr. Fink’s attempt to impose this atrocious bit of Christian Sharia law in this NJ article. Mr. Fink is hiding behind his so-called Christianity to try to demonize and ostracize LGBT people, objecting to the teaching of differences in sexual orientation as against his beliefs. Unfortunately, Mr. Fink still thinks he is living in the last century where not only could you get away with that kind of bigotry, but there was little price to be paid for it. In this century, this kind of bigotry is simply not a survial skill or a leadership skill — two things you want your kids to have. An official demonization of LGBT people — objecting to making them normal (as if they aren’t already) not only does not serve these kids, but also tries to use the government to impose your bigotry on others. Even more, what Mr. Fink knows is that kids are more tolerant of differences among them, including LGBT differences. Trying to curb a basic course on sexuality to impart Mr. Fink’s message that LGBT people are not “normal” is about him imposing his beliefs on these kids — because he knows that they don’t prioritize these differences. And trying to control other people — their behavior and their beliefs is what Sharia Law is all about, right?
But take a look at this bit of Mr. Fink’s Christianity:
“It’s not my fault there is a high suicide rate amongst young gay people,” Fink said. “I would say those reasons have nothing to do with the fact that the definitions of their particular orientation are not defined in school health classes.”
Whether or not to define some words is not what’s at stake, Fink said. To create an environment where LGBT students feel safe, you’d have to go a step further, he said.
“How are they, because of what happens at school, more likely to feel depression, anxiety or have thoughts and desires of suicide?” Fink said. “You’d have to go beyond definitions, you’d have to get into a situation where you’re teaching the straight students how the gay students are just like them, and they’re normal and they’re okay, and you should love them. You should love that they’re gay. That’s normal, there’s no difference between you and them. You would have to teach them that would you not? In order for that child to be safer?”
No compassion, no understanding, no love for these kids who struggle with their difference. A struggle that is exacerbated by people like Mr. Fink insisting that his bigotry is somehow supposed to be normal. Mr. Fink not only missed out on the key message of the New Testament, but completely bypassed the empathy that a WWJD question is supposed to evoke. But that is what Sharia Law looks like, right? It isn’t tethered to the foundational messages of religion or to the documents that underlie that religion. It is utterly manmade and designed to increase the power of those imposing it and to increase their control of the weakest members of their religion. Which is why Shaun Fink and those who think that their bigotries are supposed to be the narratives and the law of the land. It doesn’t matter who gets hurt, it doesn’t matter that this aligns with nothing crucial in the New Testament, it just matters that Mr. Fink gets to tell you who is normal and who is not. And not one bit of Fink’s agenda is about educating a kid or making sure that they are prepared for a larger and more complex world — on that Mr. Fink is clearly not equipped to handle.
Tags: Bamboozled!, Bigotry, Education, Featured, Religion
Scroll through the comments on the Sussex football coach leading his team in prayer:
http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/p/cape-questioned-over-football-prayer-with-coach/1253024
Fink has plenty of friends in the region.
@c “And trying to control other people — their behavior and their beliefs is what Sharia Law is all about, right?”
Look… I’m no fan of Sharia Law, but this is a bit of a mischaracterization.
If you must use the Islamic faith as a straw dog here, then complain about the Madrasas.
Virtually every religion teaches some sort of bigotry. Even the rather benign ones seem to be full of misogyny.
The problem here is with religion as a mask for barbaric tribalism… with religion itself as the enemy of secular enlightenment.
I too have children in school. Any bullying is just wrong. Bullying from the left, or bullying from the right. Tho your choice of ‘demonize’ is a bit ironic. When I took a 100 level course at deltech in CJ so many years ago, I was told about crimes of property vs crimes of deviance. From what I understand, deviance means to deviate from the norm. So who exactly is the deviant in this scenario? I understand biology a little bit ( I have kids), and from what I understand there is a technical, precise function of the sexual organs… Reproduction. Other uses would ‘deviate’ from primary function. That would make LGBTQRSTW, or whatever you’d like the title read, deviants. Which is ok.. Americans deviate from English Tort.. Haha please just don’t call deviance the norm.. It hurts the feelings of the rebellion
Sharia Law, but this is a bit of a mischaracterization.
Perhaps, but I don’t think so. Sharia in many countries looks to me much like the OG Catholic Inquisitions. Highly repressive rules and regulations with its only goal to enforce some orthodoxy and protect the power of the people who are imposing that orthodoxy. Creeping Dominionism, creeping Sharia Law — it is still an effort at imposing some theocratic control.
@Dwayne
And of course as we are all aware, hormones such as testosterone, cortisol, and estradiol are necessary to use the reproductive equipment for the intended purpose and yet, Fink preaches abstinence, that is to deny the norm of attraction and arousal. Which by your definition Dwayne, is a deviation. Which makes Fink a deviant. Or since he probably does not deny his own impulses, a deviant advocate.
One of religion’s core practices is to practice denial of human’s basic instincts and normal behavior. It is only in recent human history that we established artificial standards on sexual behavior between people who are driven by their own basic instincts.
Normal versus deviation is defined by society for the express purpose of maintaining civilization. Fink is as much a deviant as the children who he wants to teach that denying one’s human impulse is normal.
You want normal? Well it’s normal for human’s who reach the age of puberty to satisfy their raging hormones. If they don’t it’s deviant behavior, at least according to your definition.
It’s pretty obvious that you haven’t actually read the New testament, in which Jesus said, in the Sermon on the Mount, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.…” (Matthew 5:17-18) Jesus was certainly familiar with the law, a law which included an absolute prohibition on homosexual acts. Several other passages in the New Testament are more specific concerning homosexual activity.
But the larger point is: why are the public schools teaching kids about sexuality in the first place? Our public schools have been on a slow glide path downward, with lousy results in teaching the actual core subjects of English, science, mathematics and history; maybe they could teach kids about sexuality once they manage to perform their primary functions well?
You’ve complained about a lack of money for public schools, yet the left has piled more and more responsibilities on those schools. Maybe, just maybe, if the schools were concentrating on their primary job, there’d be enough money to accomplish it.
Theocracy is an intended state of those who would make remake society as they imagine it should be based on their faith. For many however, no faith is necessary since they adopted their hold books which they believe is the direct word of the person whom they worship (Muslims would deny that they worship Mohammed but the evidence directly contradicts that meme). Consequently, no faith is necessary since they have belief in their books.
Theocracy, as a form of control, is no different than any societal effort to build a society (a civilization). Unfortunately, those efforts by design are intended to contain human’s natural impulses. Democracy, purports to seek the most liberating form of control that balances individual rights with the needs of society. Theocracies could care less about individual rights (and needs). We are all subject to control, but theocracy is a particularly odious form of control, because it arises from the mind of controller, with their own paradigms, rather than a body of law, which collective society agrees is necessary to sustain civilization.
I’m not sure all that makes sense, but I’m too lazy to go back and read my stream of consciousness and I need another cup of coffee.
Actually, the person who hasn’t actually read the New Testament is you. One of it’s key lessons is in Mark 12:31:
Bigotry against LGBT neighbors doesn’t sync up with this. At all.
First, I’m not a Christian, so… now what? Seriously, if that’s what you (Dana) and Dwayne are basing your argument on you aren’t speaking to everyone. So explain why I, a non-Christian, should follow your bible’s teaching?
And if both of you believe what you’re saying, you guys have better have a lot of children. If you’ve been married 10 – 12 years you should have at least 5 children. 20 years? at least 10 kids. You both have this many children, right? If not, have you only had sex for procreation? Do you practice what you preach? If you only have two or three children did you abstain from sex after your last child? If you didn’t abstain, why not? Sex is for procreation, right?
And Dave is correct… if we are judging deviant behavior and want to encourage “normal” biological behavior, then you guys should be advocating for teenage sex.
And most public schools are doing fine. I’m really tired of this lazy misinformation.
Sexuality exists. Even if Dwayne “believes” there’s only one function for a penis and a vagina that doesn’t make it fact. Sexuality is taught because sexuality exists. The facts about homosexuality and transgender people is taught because it exists. You might not understand it – and that doesn’t surprise me in the least – but keep your religion to yourself. Thanks.
Also…. Message to religious people everywhere. You can BELIEVE whatever nonsense you like. It’s perfectly cool with me. But we needn’t respect your beliefs. We will evaluate your reasons… so..
@Dana – what Jesus “said” as indicated in Matthew (which is based nearly entirely on Mark – as is Luke) is not relevant in this discussion. The myths and allegories you were taught as a child and choose to organize YOUR life around are perfectly neat for you. I’d appreciate it if you left the rest of us out of it.
The fact that the Bronze Age prophets of the Old Testament didn’t fully understand human sexuality isn’t that shocking is it?
“The myths and allegories you were taught as a child and choose to organize YOUR life around are perfectly neat for you. I’d appreciate it if you left the rest of us out of it.”
Word. Preach on Brother Dorian.
Mr. Fink can keep plunging his finger deeper and deeper into the dyke, but he will never stop the flow of the tide. It’s unfortunate that rogue school board members are using religion to put the children in their districts in these highly charged, very adult, political situations. These are public schools, Sussex has Christian schools for people like Fink.
Without faith a lot of the things in the previous comments are certainly true. But with faith not all of them.
I often have to wonder why people like Mr. Fink get held up as the spokes person for religion? Being a person of some kind of faith, I would prefer him not to be.
This brings me to another question can Atheists be bigots?
Yes, atheists can be bigots. Anyone can be intolerant of someone for whatever reason. Just remember, intolerance of bad ideas is not the same as intolerance of a person for reasons they can’t change.
Unlike homosexuality, religion is a choice. Unless you live under sharia law, in which case if you choose to leave Islam you could be executed.
Dorian Gray
Not sure if faith is always a choice?
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
It which case, stop eating those cheeseburgers.
“Several other passages in the New Testament are more specific concerning homosexual activity.”
All were written under the name of Paul (experts think others wrote some of them), not Jesus, who is not recorded as saying a word about homosexuality. Of course, anyone who understands the history of Christianity knows that we follow not Jesus but Paul on most issues.
“But the larger point is: why are the public schools teaching kids about sexuality in the first place?”
Because otherwise all they’ll know is what they learn by accessing porn on the internet. Or was that a rhetorical question?
“maybe they could teach kids about sexuality once they manage to perform their primary functions well?”
Where did you go to school that they didn’t teach this stuff? They’ve been teaching it at least since I went to high school.
“Mr. Fink can keep plunging his finger deeper and deeper into the dyke…”
I see what you did there.
Ya know, I’ve been thinking about what to do in retirement in a few years. I wonder if I form a church based on condemning people, if I could get members to give me money and have all the women to myself?
@urchix – Religion is a choice. One may leave a faith (I did). One may convert from one to another (many have converted to Judaism to marry for example). One may try different sects within a faith tradition (an Episcopalian trys a Lutheran church, a Catholic goes to a Presbyterian church).
Last I checked I can’t convert from white male to something else.
Whether a person realizes she/he can leave a faith and just go live her/his life is another story… but it certainly can be done. Religious dogma is just a set of (mostly terrible) ideas. To proceed as if one can’t changed one’s mind about an idea is about the most illiberal notion I can imagine… and I can imagine quite a lot.
“Last I checked I can’t convert from white male to something else.’
You’d be surprised what they can do with hormones and surgery these days.
mouse,
I say go for it. Successful religions have been launched on flimsier premises.
On a larger point, it does make one wonder about education in general. If public education is the means by which the nation “promotes the general welfare” of its people, what does education really mean? The basics (3 Rs) is pretty obvious. But does “education” today mean that students (children) receive instruction in all facets of learning that facilitates their growth to adulthood? Is teaching societal norms an essential component of education? I am somewhat troubled by the mission creep in our educational system. Should schools be feeding students? Or rather should schools be the source of essential nutrition for children who might otherwise be deficient in nutrition? Do these collateral duties detract from their core purpose?
In general, the educational system is similar to a 3 legged stool with parents, schools, and other institutions (GOs and NGOs) each playing a role. It seems to me that we are asking the system to compensate for deficiencies in one leg or the other by increasing the length of the school leg when we know that a stool cannot stand on one leg or grossly uneven legs.
Yeah, I know this is kind off the current topic, but it is Daily Delaware so…
@gez
HA! Good one…
Should have been more clear… If I were so inclined I could take steps to change my gender, but again that would be because I felt that I WAS the other gender. The gender identity isn’t a choice.
Dorian
Thanks for the point of view, well put.
Some people accuse Atheism of being a faith.
@s brown – Thanks. Sadly, some people don’t understand what the word faith means.
Next time somebody says that to you ask that person what exactly atheists have faith in. If they say science gently remind him/her that the scientific method is set-up to evaluate evidence to be tested and is regularly changed. Science requires the adherent to be convinced and to change her mind when presented with a better argument. Does that sound like any religion you’ve ever heard of?
Hey, I’m a militant black lesbian trapped in this nasty white man’s body
If people were honest, there would be a faith called, “I just don’t know”. None of us really know if there is some magic man in the sky or if this all generated through stardust. I certainly don’t. I believe in the scientific method but that’s not faith.
And I’m just going to put this right here.
Ernest Angley, y’all.
Right? If anything, these kids need real sex education to save them from this kind of bullshit.
I think we’ve gone way astray from the original post point (not that this doesn’t happen a lot on these topics).
The flaw in Mr. Fink’s argument is that he doesn’t believe that his children should be exposed to values different from those that they are taught at home. Unfortunately, he is quite willing to expose other children to values different from those that they are taught at home in order to “protect” his kids. The only way he can have his kids taught his definition of “normal” in the public schools is for teachers to be required to label the kids of same-sex couples, or the relatives of LGBT kids, or LGBT kids themselves as “abnormal” and/or “sinful.” So there’s that double standard: his “normal” gets to trample all over everybody else’s.
Of course then there is inanity of it all. Part and parcel of going out into the world is discovering that most people don’t really think like you do. And then figuring out a way to live, co-exist, and work with them without having to throw religious epithets in their direction or stop your ears and scream, “Nyah, nyah I’m not listening” all the time.
Mr. Fink, naturally, does not see any problem with his normal being enshrined in law and school because his normal is delivered, revealed word.
There are many folks down here in lower slower Delaware like Mr. fink who are Teabaggers who still believe in the Naked Lady and the Snake. How sad is that
Religion and these cultural obsessions seem to be some kind surrogate for these angry right wing rubes. Not eactly surewhat they are really after other than having their bigotry validated
“The problem here is with religion as a mask for barbaric tribalism… with religion itself as the enemy of secular enlightenment.” …I like that. I’m going to start writing that on bathroom walls for others to ponder