So, This is the Tolerance You Speak of?

The apologists tell me "What's the harm in believing, even if it isn't true, the church teaches morality to the children." The problem with this is that along with the good lessons, which can and should be taught by the family, there are messages of hate and bigotry that are taught as well. Yes, hate can be spread in the home and by those who are bigots it probably will be. However, the majority of people who would never teach these things in their home bring their children to church to listen to the teachings of an "authority figure" that the parents at least appear to look up to and respect. The children do not know that they need to filter out certain messages, they are being told that god is perfect and the pastor is there to teach them, so they will take it all at face value.

I know this is a long intro into a relatively short video but I hope that this video disgusts you as much as it did me. People need to realize that when an institution teaches hate that they are negatively impacting society as a whole. So, here is a video of a young child in the Apostolic Truth Tabernacle in Indiana.

In case you had trouble hearing it he was taught to sing

"The Bible's right, somebody's wrong.

I know the Bible's right, somebody's wrong.
Romans one, twenty six and twenty seven;
Ain't no homos gonna make it to Heaven."

This is clearly indoctrination, this little boy certainly didn't choose this to sing to everyone. He is being taught hate(or at least bigotry) and doesn't even realize it and the reaction from the congregation is reinforcing that what he is singing is right. If we think for just a second about what the message is here, he is singing about a group of people NOT going to heaven and they are cheering and whistling like crazy. So apparently they are happy that they are going to hell, is this really the christian message?

Children learn by repetition, how many time did he probably practice this leading up to this day, probably dozens and each time with reinforcement. And with a reaction like that, I'm sure other kids in the congregation were singing it after church. They know that to get ideas to stick you make them catchy and teach them early, just like jingles. Worked for school house rock.

You may still be doubtful that the message is getting through to this or other young children, but consider this. The fourteen year old who is brought to church with the family, that knows that they are gay but can't share it yet, clearly gets the message. They get the message, probably at school, possibly at home, and certainly at church. The message that they aren't welcome and that they are sinners and "ain't gonna make it to heaven." So,apologists, this is the tolerance and positive influence that churches perpetuate? Well lessons like this I think we can do without.