WICHITA, Kan. — A local high school student newspaper has published an editorial by one of their student reporters calling for a ban on same-sex dating.
In the editorial in Wichita High School East’s Messenger, student journalist Colin Johnson called homosexuality a disruption and said it should be kept out of school.
He also quoted two Bible verses, one which calls homosexuality an abomination, and another that says it should be punished by death.
From Wichita High School East’s Messenger:
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
These relationships just are not normal. One thing to notice is that there is legislation against homosexual marriage. However, there are no legislative restrictions to same sex dating. Dating does often lead to marriage, so same sex dating should be frowned upon.
Some teens see it as abnormal, as well as the intimacy that comes with it. Some people believe that since the Bible verse Leviticus 18:22 said “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination,” they do not think it is proper for same sex relations.
Also, less commonly cited, is the death penalty called for in another Bible verse, Leviticus 20:13, “If a man also lie with man, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” These are the most common arguments against homosexual marriage and/or dating.
Same sex dating in high school is not accepted by many, despite the efforts of a few. It is a social disruption in many cases, and should be kept out of school to ensure our educational mission with as little of a distraction as possible.
Johnson is reportedly getting a lot of kickback from students and parents who are upset over the piece. (As a side note, I’m pretty sure Wichita is just a hop skip and a jump away from Topeka. Now where have I heard Topeka referenced before?).
The Wichita School District defended the printing of the article, and said it was one writer’s opinion, not the entire journalism staff.
A response by the newspaper’s editors includes this statement:
“We acknowledge that many people have been offended by the content of the editorial and the reference to the Bible. It was not the intention of Colin to promote violence in any way. Our readers are not being given enough credit if the public sincerely believes students will begin engaging in violence against LGBT students based on the opinions of one individual.”
If the mood so hits you, you can contact the Messenger at: 2301 E. Douglas, Wichita KS, 67226, Journalism Room W301, Telephone (316) 973-7275.
[sc name=”eric-e”]
