WITHOUT A HOME

WITHOUT A HOME

      When I was a schoolteacher I had direct knowledge of situations where teenagers were forced out of their homes for reasons of sexual identity. It was hard to believe then, and it is even harder to believe now, that in a modern society a parent would deny a child the privilege   of living at home for some insignificant reason.  It is a serious matter when a child is forced to live on the streets when the foundation for that enforcement is based on a few words that some man wrote in a book several hundred years ago. It is an absolute outdated doctrine that serves no worthwhile purpose in a diverse society.

   When parents force a child to live on the streets they are basically signing the child’s death certificate.  It is impossible for a teenager to live homeless on the streets of any American city without being physically, sexually, and mentally abused.  As a result, many teenagers commit suicide. I have listened to the confessions of guilt from many parents and on some occasions supplied a shoulder for their tears after the death of their teenage gay child. Nevertheless, this is not a classic case of confusion, but a case of unadulterated ignorance based on false

information.    

    Contemporary Christian religion maintains a leadership position as being one of the major causes for confusion in American society. Something is bad wrong with the religion when it becomes the problem rather than the problem solver. According to a recent HUD report, nearly 50,000 teenagers live on the streets of US cities.  50% of them identify as LGBT and have been told by their parents to leave home because of their sexual orientation. One of the main purposes of any religion should be to strengthen family ties. Christian leadership is wrong to advise parents to put children on the streets for something as simple as sexual orientation. Many Americans already recognize this, and some outspoken religious leaders are saying that it is time for Christianity to get its act together. 

    The problem of sexual identify far exceeds the implications of morality. Scientific data proves that gender identification is established at conception. Therefore, when religion attempts to place immorality charges against a lifestyle in which the individual has no choice, the individual rebukes the religious doctrine.  

   Many parents listen to and depend upon religious leaders for guidance. However, it has been proven time and time again that many religious leaders make mistakes. They have been mistaken about their own sexuality and for decades have been mistaken concerning individuals of different sexual orientations.  Parents should never allow a religious leader to drive a wedge between them and their child. Parents should never have to live with years of guilt after something serious has happened to a child because of a misunderstanding about his or her sexuality.

   The proper approach for any society is to encourage the contributions of the LGBT individuals. Several governments around the world have   recognized these talents and good things are happening. Their economies are booming, tourism is on the rise, and good paying jobs are increasing.  But most of all—their people are HAPPY.