The two reports below come from the USA. The first highlights that the ludicrous evil of ‘transgenderism’ is a world-wide, devil-inspired delusion with horrendous implications for those who believe the Bible and will not submit to the tide of oppressive measures brought against any who hold to God’s truth.
The second report also highlights an increasingly common form of anti-Christian persecution, this time within a school.
To mention the name of Christ and own His saving mercy is deemed an offensive act which must be hindered.
We have seen it reported as happening in workplaces and also on the streets of our cities where police, without real cause, have hindered open-air preaching, in some cases arresting, though not charging the preachers.
Dear Christian, this is like the first spits of rain before a torrential downpour!
Be warned. Remember the words of the Saviour.
“Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you,” Matthew 5:11-12.
“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you,” John 15:20.
“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled,” Revelation 6:9-11.
Virginia teacher placed on leave after speech disputing ‘biological boy can be a girl and vice versa’
Leesburg Elementary teacher Byron ‘Tanner’ Cross described it as ‘lying to a child’
An elementary school physical education teacher in Virginia was placed on leave after an explosive speech in which he told his school board he wouldn’t “affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa,” Fox News has learned.
During a Loudoun County school board meeting Tuesday, teacher Byron “Tanner” Cross voiced his opposition to policies surrounding gender.
“My name is Tanner Cross and I am speaking out of love for those who are suffering from gender dysphoria,” Cross told the board. He went on to discuss a “60 Minutes” special about the issue.
“’60 Minutes’ this past Sunday interviewed over 30 young people who transitioned but they felt led astray because of lack of pushback or how easy it was to make physical changes to their bodies… They are now detransitioning,” he said.
“It’s not my intention to hurt anyone, but there are certain truths that we must face when ready. We condemn school policies [that] would damage children, defile the holy image of God.
“I love all of my students but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences. I’m a teacher but I serve God first and I will not affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa because it’s against my religion. It’s lying to a child, it’s abuse to a child, and it’s sinning against our God.”
Fox News obtained an email via the group Parents Against Critical Theory. Sent Thursday, it announced Cross’ leave from Leesburg Elementary.
Principal Shawn Lacey told recipients: “I’m contacting you to let you know that one of our physical education teachers, Tanner Cross, is on leave beginning this morning. In his absence, his duties will be covered by substitute staff already working in our building.”
The principal continued, “I wanted you to know this because it may affect your student’s school routine. Because this involves a personnel matter, I can offer no further information.”
It’s unclear why exactly Cross was put on leave. Loudoun County Public Schools confirmed to Fox News that Lacey sent the email.
Byron “Tanner” Cross was placed on leave after his speech to the school board earlier this week. (LCPS)
Spokesman Wayde Byard noted, however, that “the decision to place an employee on leave is not the principal’s.”
Byard also told Fox News: “The contents of personnel files are confidential under state and federal law. I cannot comment other to say that Mr. Cross is on administrative leave with pay.”
The news came amid a raging debate over ideas surrounding race and gender identity in one of the nation’s wealthiest counties.
Cross had referred to policy 8040, which required Loudoun staff to use preferred pronouns.
“LCPS staff shall allow gender-expansive or transgender students to use their chosen name and gender pronouns that reflect their gender identity without any substantiating evidence, regardless of the name and gender recorded in the student’s permanent educational record,” it read.
“School staff shall, at the request of a student or parent/legal guardian, when using a name or pronoun to address the student, use the name and pronoun that correspond to their gender identity. The use of gender-neutral pronouns are appropriate.
Inadvertent slips in the use of names or pronouns may occur; however, staff or students who intentionally and persistently refuse to respect a student’s gender identity by using the wrong name and gender pronoun are in violation of this policy.”
Another policy, 8350, stated that LCPS staff “shall allow gender-expansive and transgender students to participate in such activities in a manner consistent with the student’s gender identity.”
Michigan high school reverses after opposing religious language in valedictorian speech
Public high school student will now be able to invoke faith and Christ in valedictorian speech
A Michigan high school is reversing its opposition to a valedictorian’s speech after a complaint alleged the principal’s criticism was violating the First Amendment, the student’s attorneys announced.
On Wednesday, Fox News reported on First Liberty’s legal complaint, which maintained that student Elizabeth Turner would be engaging in private, legally protected speech even though it was set to take place at a public graduation.
By Thursday, the law firm announced that school officials at Hillsdale High School had reversed course.
“I’m grateful I will be able to share my faith with my classmates, and I pray that God uses this situation to advance His kingdom,” Turner said in a press release.
MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL VIOLATES FEDERAL LAW BY OPPOSING LANGUAGE IN GRAD SPEECH: COMPLAINT
Turner’s draft speech read: “For me, my future hope is found in my relationship with Christ. By trusting in him and choosing to live a life dedicated to bringing his kingdom glory, I can be confident that I am living a life with purpose and meaning.
“My identity is found by what God says and who I want to become is laid out in scripture. Whether we want to admit it or not, not one of us can be certain of how our lives will unfold, but we do know that trials will come. The reality of this is that we face an unpredictable future, and while we are making all these plans to prepare, ultimately none of us are promised tomorrow, making it all the more important to make today count.”
A screenshot attached to the letter showed Hillsdale Principal Amy Goldsmith highlighting that portion in a Google doc and urging Turner not to use religious language.
“[Y]ou are representing the school in the speech, not using the podium as your public forum,” said Goldsmith.
“We need to be mindful about the inclusion of religious aspects. These are your strong beliefs, but they are not appropriate for a speech in a school public setting. I know this will frustrate you, but we have to be mindful of it.”
On Thursday afternoon, Superintendent Shawn Vondra told Fox News “the school district is committed to the protection and expression of First Amendment-protected content for students.””To be specific, graduation speeches by students may elect to include statements of personal faith and expressions of religious views,” he said.
“The district does not initiate discussion of specific students … Having said that, to the extent any of our speakers are concerned about this important topic, we are working with our staff and students to ensure any concerns are appropriately addressed and students’ rights are supported now and preserved into the future.”