Evangelicals and Mormons find common ground in Massachusetts

Even as most of the U.S. focuses on our differences, there is a group of Evangelicals and Mormons here in Massachusetts that have found common ground. Out of necessity, but found it, we have.

By way of background, David and Tonia Parker (Evangelical Christian), and Robb and Robin Wirthlin (Mormon) are the courageous parents who sued a Massachusetts school to defend their right as parents to guide their children’s moral education. Their case, which was dismissed by the District Court, will be heard beginning this Wednesday, December 5th by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.

As described on their website "this claim was brought by four parents and their very young children against the Town of Lexington, its school board, various administrators and a teacher. The plaintiffs are devout Judeo-Christians. They claim that the defendants have intentionally interfered with their Fourteenth Amendment due process rights to direct the moral upbringing of their own children.

The defendants have begun a campaign of intentionally indoctrinating very young children to affirm the notion that homosexuality is right and moral, in direct denigration of the plaintiffs' deeply-held faith. The plaintiffs tolerate and respect all people but wish to teach their faith to their children at their own pace, and in their own way."

There is so much more to be said.

Such as these families have incurred $300k plus in legal expenses to fight a fight that is also my fight (and possibly yours).

And, in the spirit of Know Your Neighbor, I am grateful that the Coalition for Marriage and Family, largely backed by the Evangelical community, has supported not only the Parkers, one of their own, but also the Wirthlins who are Mormon.

It is tragic that this common ground has come at such a high personal cost for the Parkers and Wirthlins. They have suffered not only financially, but also emotionally, as their young children have been scorned and shunned because of what they believe.

But, I am so very grateful.

For the common ground.

For the courage and endurance of these families.

And especially for the Evangelical community here in Massachusetts.

May God pour out his blessings upon them.

When did you or I last support someone who wasn't one of our own?

While I could be inaccurate, I have the sense that the Evangelicals have been much more proactive in supporting the Parkers and the Wirthlins than have the Mormons. Assuming that my impression is accurate, why do you think this is? Is this acceptable?

If you would like to pray for these families and help defray their legal expenses, what a wonderful way to Know Your Neighbor this Christmas season.

Comments

[Henry Cate]

I blogged about this earlier this year:

http://whyhomeschool.blogspot.com/search?q=parker+judge

This incident with the Parkers and Wirthlins is part of a long trend over the last thirty plus years where public schools take more and more authority away from parents. Originally public schools (200 years ago) taught children how to read, write, and do arithmetic. The goals of public schools have exploded into dozens of areas. Some goals are fine, teaching students about science, history, and languages are worthwhile goals. But public schools are being required by law to teach principles and morals which don't belong in public schools.

I think most parents would be surprised if they knew what was being taught in public schools today.

[Bob Bennett]

Hi Whitney,
I enjoyed your article and the sense of community we have found on this common ground. It does transcend religion in the sense that we have different religious “takes”. But the fundamental commonality that we share is the profound belief in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ. What ever the perceived differences may exist in how we see them, how we worship them and how we understand them is of little consequence compared to our belief, our faith, and our knowledge that they do exist, that they do hear our prayers, and most importantly, that they do answer them. I was intrigued by your reflexive question, “When did you or I last support someone who wasn't one of our own?” Interesting question and who was the audience, considering your follow-up comments… While I could be inaccurate, I have the sense that the Evangelicals have been much more proactive in supporting the Parkers and the Wirthlins than have the Mormons. Assuming that my impression is accurate, why do you think this is? Is this acceptable? Before the Parkers and the Wirthlins (LDS/Mormons) became involved in this situation, Kent North and I (LDS/Mormons) took up placards and protested outside the Unitarian/Universalist church in Lexington Center because of their involvement and their promotion of homosexuality to the children in the public schools. We felt embarrassed to find our selves protesting outside a house of worship on Sunday but felt that this egregious promotion of homosexuality to school children was more important than our private comforts. After David took his courageous stand that brought the civil powers to bear on our collective efforts, Jesse Segovia (LDS/Mormon) was the Lexington citizen who took out the police permit to hold a rally on Lexington Green in support of David and our common beliefs. I (LDS/Mormon) was the MC of the rally and spoke at length on the issues that surrounded us and why we needed to be united, especially in supporting David and Tonya. I (LDS/Mormon) intervened with Paul Ash, Superintendent of Public Schools in Lexington to complain and protest the continuing restraining order against David that was punitive and with out merit. Two days later it was lifted and removed, David has been allowed to participate with his son in all school activities since that time. When young Joey Wirthlin (LDS/Mormon) came home with news of the horrific gay romance novel that was read to him in the public schools, one of the first people Robin Wirthlin called was me (LDS/Mormon). I encouraged her to stand up and to stand firm, confront the schools on this assault to our beliefs (LDS/Mormon) and to protest to the teacher, the principal, and to the school superintendent, Paul Ash. I immediately went to his office to lodge my complaint and then proceeded to my children’s school and had the principal and the librarian check through the books in the Bridge elementary school library to make sure that this trash was not being used to assault my children My wife and I (LDS/Mormons) have had the Parkers and the Wirthlins over to our home for barbeques and a dinner with friends and supporters to show our appreciation for their efforts on our behalf and to widen their social network. We (the LDS/Mormon community) have always made every effort to be at each and every court hearing where David, and now the Wirthlins, has been involved. We (LDS/Mormons) have endeavored in every way possible to support the Parkers and the Wirthlins every time we could, emotionally, spiritually and financially (probably not enough).
Why do you think this is? Do you find this acceptable? I certainly hope so because I would be terribly embarrassed to find that I have a beam in my eye and that I am completely misunderstood.

Best regards,
Bob Bennett
Lexington, MA