A Christian Response to SB 48 - Biola University

A Christian Response to SB 48
June Hetzel, Ph.D., Dean, School of Education, Biola University
Prior to my first day of teaching in public schools, I faced the ethical dilemma as to whether
or not I would cross a picket line. Through prayer and seeking counsel, I determined in my heart
that I would do only what was best for children. Therefore, I prayerfully prepared myself to
report to class, and if needed, cross a picket line my first day on the job. To not report to work
crossed the line of professional and ethical responsibilities to which I had been called. This was
the first of many ethical dilemmas that I faced as a public school teacher, the most recent
dilemma being California Senate Bill 48 which requires the contributions of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans to be accurately portrayed in instructional
materials, included in social science instruction, and implemented in the next round of textbook
adoptions. The purpose of this article is to help you process what your Christian response might
be to SB 48 if you are a California educator and to contemplate what your response might be in
the future if you are in a state that later adopts similar legislation.
There are several issues I would like you to prayerfully contemplate as a public school
teacher: 1) the biblical position; 2) your heart attitude towards gay, lesbian, and transgender
students, colleagues, and parents; 3) LGBT lifestyles and concomitant concerns; and 4) your
future actions in relation to SB 48 as a Christian public school teacher.
The Biblical Position
The biblical position is clear and is the starting point for all decisions. “I will never forget
your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life,” (Psalms 119:93 NIV). Alternative
sexual lifestyles are not promoted in Scripture; rather, they are condemned (Romans 1:26-27;
Genesis 18-19). As followers of Jesus, the path we are to walk is clear in order to be obedient to
our Lord and Savior. The traditional family structure, promoted in Scriptures and reflected by
our physiology, is led by a heterosexual marriage. This is still the majority value and our
citizenry’s voting in California has clearly given evidence to this (i.e., California’s Proposition
8). Muslims and Jews also uphold the value of heterosexual marital relationships. However, keep
in mind, that if and when the scales tip, and the majority does not embrace heterosexual
lifestyles, moral living is not determined by popular vote, rather, it is determined by the King of
Kings, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Do I live by and promote biblical values within my community?
2. Am I willing to speak out regarding that which is morally upright?
3. Do I compromise my values in face of pressure?
4. Can I speak out intelligently and with love?
Your Heart Attitude
As a Christian community, we share the biblical value of heterosexual marriage; however,
Jesus taught us to love our neighbor (John 13:34; John 15:12; II Cor. 13:11; Gal. 5:13) and that

includes sinners like you and me. He loved the person and abhorred the sin. In many instances,
those who claim to be followers of Christ have used harsh, and even violent, words and actions
against gay, lesbians, and transgender individuals, rather than embracing the individual as a
contributing member of the community. As someone who claims to be a follower of Christ, we
are mandated to love. LGBT individuals are members of our community that we want to bring to
Christ, not alienate by hatred. Loving our neighbor translates to embracing all students, parents,
and colleagues as full members of our school communities. We can love individuals while not
condoning their lifestyles. SB 48 is, in part, a cry against cruelty and hatred and a cry for
acceptance and acknowledgment of accomplishments of this group of American citizens. Ask
yourself these questions:
1. Do I love my neighbor?
2. Do I work to build relationships with my neighbor?
3. Do I embrace all members of my community?
4. Will I allow the Holy Spirit to fill me with His love, regardless of the circumstances?
LGBT Lifestyles and Concomitant Concerns
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lifestyles have documented evidence of
potential health concerns, such as HIV, STDs, and cancer that can lead to premature death of
otherwise healthy, gifted individuals (Allison, 2011). To promote a lifestyle with such potentially
negative consequences, even without explicit moral or ethical or biblical concerns (the true
litmus test), contradicts the end goals of public health education and is detrimental to our K-12
student population.
Social and emotional alienation can also occur in non-traditional family structures headed by
LGBT individuals or in LGBT students prone to depression and anxiety (Allison, 2011). Here is
where you can definitely intervene to help right the situation.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. If I see an LGBT youth or parent mistreated, do I step in to right the situation?
2. Am I just as sensitive to the social and emotional needs of the child from a LGBT
household or orientation as I am to my other students?
3. Do I love my LBGT parents and students?
4. Do I support healthy lifestyles? Am I reporting the facts correctly and without bias?
Your Response to SB 48
While SB 48 may be a response to repeated abuses of those who choose alternative lifestyles,
you, the public school classroom teacher, need to decide how to take action. Inaction is action.
Inaction has led to the bill slipping through the Assembly and Senate and being signed by the
Governor. Authored by Senator Mark Leno of San Francisco, SB 48 was introduced December
13, 2010 and signed by our California Governor Jerry Brown on July 14, 201l. In the intervening
stages, SB 48 was passed by the Senate Education Committee in March 2011 (6-3 vote), passed
by the Senate Judiciary Committee in April 2011 (3-2 vote), passed by the California Senate in
April 2011 (23-14 vote), passed by the Assembly Committee on Education in June 2011 (6-2
vote), and passed by the full Assembly in July 2011 (49-25 vote) (California State Senate, 2011;

Equality California, 2011). While we go about our daily business, strategic movements of the
LGTB continue to march forward, reshaping traditional agendas for the future education of
America’s children. If the citizenry calls for a ballot vote, we may turn this around. However,
until that point, the fact of the matter is that one day you may have a textbook in your hand, 30
students looking to you for leadership, and you are going to need to make an ethical decision:
1. Will you “cross the picket line” and stand for God’s truth in providing your students with
a moral law perspective rather than promote the gay, lesbian, and transgender lifestyle, as
if there are no spiritual, social, emotional, or health consequences to this lifestyle?
2. OR
3. Will you “cross the picket line” with the threat of losing your job if asked to promote a
lifestyle that is unhealthy or against your faith?
4. Will you stand for ethical and moral righteousness, following the Scriptures and your
conscience, teaching what is good, while loving everyone in the process?
5. Will you keep your heart pure and know that any judgment, condemnation, or hatred of
others is egregious to our Lord (Luke 6:37-42) . . . that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23)
saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) . . . and that Jesus commanded that we abide in Him
(John 15:1-5) and love one another (John 15:12-13)?
Final Thoughts
The accomplishments of any citizen of any gender, ethnic background, or life stage, that is of
historical significance deserves acknowledgement in our social studies/history textbooks,
including significant contributions of LGTB citizens. However, the litmus test of historical
significance is not the individual’s sexual preference or orientation, the litmus test is his or her
historical accomplishment. The sexual preference or orientation of an individual is a moot point
in establishing the historical significance of the individual’s accomplishment. To include the
individual’s sexual preference or orientation in the textbook shows bias towards this lifestyle,
indoctrinating students towards the normalcy of this lifestyle, as opposed to focusing on the
individual’s historical accomplishment. Keep these points clear as you logically discuss your
position with your colleagues, community, students, and politicians, and prayerfully consider
your personal response to SB 48 in your spheres of influence. You have a King, whom you
serve, and He is the One who ultimately draws the lines and boundaries of what is morally
upright, pure, righteous, and good. Move forward with a prayerful posture as you seek His Spirit
for guidance and walk the line of a loving, godly classroom teacher in public schools.
NOTE: Just after writing this article, a referendum was filed, backed by the Pacific Justice
Institute*, and SB 48 was put on hold until October 12, by which time STOP SB 48 must turn in
504,760 signatures of people opposing SB 48. If they succeed, the law will be put on the ballot in
the next statewide election to be approved by voters (Pacific Justice, 2011, p. 1).
1. Will you go to StopSB48.com to learn more about how you can make a difference?
2. Will you email info@pacificjustice.org and help distribute petitions?
3. Will you get your family and friends involved?
*The Pacific Justice Institute is a non-profit 501(c) (3) legal defense organization specializing in
the defense of religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties. P.O. Box 276600

Sacramento, CA 95827-6600 Phone: (916) 857-6900 Fax (916) 857-6902
Internet: www.pacificjustice.org
References
Allison, Rebecca A. M.D. (retrieved July 29, 2011), American Medical Association, Advisory
Committee on GLBT Issues. “Ten Things Transgender Persons Should Discuss with Their
Healthcare Provider.” http://www.glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=692
California State Senate (retrieved July 29, 2011). http://info.sen.ca.gov/cgibin/postquery?bill_number=sb_48&sess=CUR&house=B&site=sen.
Equality California (retrieved July 29, 2011)
http://www.eqca.org/site/pp.asp?c=kuLRJ9MRKrH&b=6451639.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2004). Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Bibles.
Pacific Justice Institute (retrieved August 8, 2011). “Gay History” Law Halted By Referendum
Drive. http://www.pacificjustice.org/news/“gay-history”-law-halted-referendum-drive