Y? wrote on Dec 21, 2005 5:07 AM:Why have a Christian school at all if you can't maintain core Christian standards of behavior? Isn't that the foundation and core of the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion? If lesbians want a school that condones lesbian behavior, no one is stopping them from starting their own.

Curious wrote on Dec 21, 2005 7:35 AM:Since when is acting on "perceptions" or "allegations" or "suspicions" Christian values? Why just expell them? Why not just burn them on a stake in the middle of the school yard like the good old days in Salem?

Jerry wrote on Dec 21, 2005 9:33 AM:Hey "Y" is it possible that these girls were just best friends, after all it says there was no open physical contact. I guess you never had a friend that you were close too, my daughter tells her best friend she loves her maybe I should alert her boyfriend, after all that means she is a "LESBIAN".

Suprised? wrote on Dec 21, 2005 11:05 AM:It is no suprise to me to see religion used as an excuse for bigotry. Why do Christians feel it is their right to promote the hatred of people?

Congrads.. wrote on Dec 21, 2005 1:58 PM:About time that a Christian School doesn't fall to pressure from The Gay Mafia..These are frivalous lawsuits to get money from the school and to promote the gay agenda..Funny how the gay movement wants to force their view on us, but when we complain, they say it's being intolerant or bigotry..Start your own school in Hillcrest please!!!!

steve wrote on Dec 21, 2005 2:07 PM:Funny how the the aclu and gay agenda want to force their rights on us, but when we object and say 'no, they call it intolerant or bigatry...another frivolous lawsuit for money...

Mary wrote on Dec 21, 2005 5:42 PM:I can't help but wonder - if these parents of these two girls hold such un-Christian attitudes, why did they put their girls in a Christian School? Why not a public high school, where they will be taught that what they feel is perfectly OK? Why don't the gays and lesbian get off the case of everybody that disagrees with their life style?

you know wrote on Dec 21, 2005 6:57 PM:i do not believe that the school had any right to expell the students. They did nothing wrong and the school had no solid evidence that these girls were lesbian. Even if they were i dont believe they have a right to exclude them. Sure homosexuality could be called a sin, but then why not expell the whole school. Everyone in that school has comitted a sin. No one is perfect.

... wrote on Dec 21, 2005 8:05 PM:yeah, maybe they were best friends, i tell my best friend that i love her but does that mean i'm les or bi? i don't think so. i'm def. 100% straight but that doesn't mean i don't love people of the same sex, i love my mom, my grandma, my aunts, my cousin. yeah, i don't think that makes me lesbian. you can't kick them out unless they were showing physical affection that is not appropriate. and how does the pricipal get away w/ having a meeting w/ the student one on one w/out their parents consent? what did he say to them? do their parents know?

Jane wrote on Dec 21, 2005 8:24 PM:As a Christian School I thing the school would have provided some counseling and offered help to the girl, who are confused and need god in their lives, is this not the Christian way?? Instead of throughing them out.... What was the Pastor thinking?? is his role not to save soles??

Brian wrote on Dec 21, 2005 9:08 PM:I am a student studying to be a Lutheran Pastor. These lawsuits are extremely serious. If these lawsuits are allowed and the courts say that such expulsion of students for being gay is against the law, how long before they pull Pastors out of their pulpits and arrest them for teaching what the Bible does, namely, that homosexuality is sinful? It's a dangerous game people are playing and it does not take long before religious freedom becomes illegal. Certain groups claim that they are protecting the civil liberties of people but they are really in the process of destroying my religious freedom.

Atticus wrote on Dec 22, 2005 5:40 AM:Not all lawsuits are about money. Some are about injunctive relief to require someone to follow or quit breaking the law. This lawsuit is likely about requring the school to abide by California law for the protection of all of us. I did not see anything in the article suggesting the case was brought by a gay rights group. It is clearly by private individuals represented by private attorneys to enforce their civil rights. The same as if any of us were expelled for being Black, Mexican, Jewish, Irish or what ever. It is against the law to discriminiate against persons on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation.

Paul wrote on Dec 22, 2005 7:40 AM:The Apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians 6:9 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor the idolaters nor the male prostitutes nor HOMOSEXUAL OFFENDERS nor thieves nor greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers will inherit the kingdom of God." This school claims to completely follow God's Word in its entirety. What part of that did these girls or their parents not understand? One other comment - private school is a priveledge, not a right. Public school is a right, private is not.

Surprised? wrote on Dec 22, 2005 10:55 AM:Good job Paul. Your a bigot. Use the bible to justify your bigotry. By the way the bible was used to justify slavery, racism, outlawing inter-racial marriage, and to burn witches at the stake.

David wrote on Dec 22, 2005 1:55 PM:This is a tough call. The church needs to be open-minded to the needs of people in this world. This however, does not mean embracing beliefs that to adhere to the Bible. The church sends a stronger message when they choose to love the sinner and reject the sin. Suspension is the wrong move in this case. These two young ladies are in a Christain school, seeking a Christain education. What kind of message does this suspension send to the world?

Kailey wrote on Dec 22, 2005 5:24 PM:This lawsuit doesn't appear to be for the money, and it's ignorant to assume so. These girls were expelled from their school for SUPPOSED feelings. It's possible to love someone and not feel sexual inclinations toward them. Perhaps no one on the school board has ever heard of a little thing I like to call friendship. I understand that private schools are not subject to all state laws, but in this case it's a matter of principal. If they're going to adhere to strict Christian principles, they need to uphold those principles across the board. They can't pick and choose who to discriminate against. I won't even get into the supreme disgust I feel towards those who use the Bible as a means of justifying their bigotry.

Don't Be Surpsied wrote on Dec 22, 2005 8:08 PM:I'm quite frankly "surprised" at your response. Paul did not use the Bible to spew his "bigotry." The Bible is God's very own word and Paul, and others like myself believe the Bible to be God's very word. It is not Paul who is saying that homosexuality is a sin...God is saying it is a sin. You don't have a problem with Paul or myself, you have a problem with God, the author and creator of all things, who in his infinite wisdom will judge all people who are living in sin during the final judgment. Those who are living in sin will be damned to hell. God is a righteous, perfect and just God who demands perfection from all people. In his grace, his undeserved love, he made us perfect by sending the world a Savior to die for every one of our sins. Only those who believe in Jesus as their Savior will receive this forgiveness. Those who reject what the Bible says reject Jesus, and they are not believers and they will not be saved. It is as simple as that. We are not bigots, intolerant, or whatever you want to call us. We simply believe that the Bible is God's Word handed down to us and we regard it as such. What God says is final. It cannot be added to or subtracted from. You, "suprised", have forgivness won for you by your Savior. But unless you see the error of your way, and turn from your sinful ways, you too will be judged by the Almighty God and sentenced to an eternity in hell.

WWJD? wrote on Dec 22, 2005 10:45 PM:Would Jesus kick them out of his circle because one of them said that she "loved" the other? What ever happened to "love your fellow man". This so-called Christian school is practicing un-christian behavior.

,./,./,./,./ wrote on Dec 22, 2005 10:54 PM:What is involved are two very personal convictions, faith and sexual preference. There is no gay agenda, there is no promoting of hatred, and no biggotry. Very few people, and I am not one of them, have the facts about this terrible ordeal that is happening to the parties involved. Yet somehow we always take the time to portray our own bashings, criticisms, proposals and persuasions especially when its anonymous. Two ears and one mouth people. In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have said anything.

Suprised wrote on Dec 23, 2005 6:54 AM:Don't be suprised - you will end up rotting in a pine box like the rest of us. Your foolish fairy tale is as believable as Cinderella. Bottom line is your using a man made book, which was designed to control the weak minded to justify hatred.

Hypocrites wrote on Dec 23, 2005 6:55 AM:"Bork goes on to write that the school did not want to seem tolerant to the two alleged lesbian students, as it could lead others into a similar relationship and the school has a spiritual and moral obligation to keep its students from sin." Isn't religion suppose to teach tolorance? Don't judge lest you yourself be judged. He who has not sinned cast the first stone. Also, if Jesus wrote the bible then it would be in his words. But no, the bible was writen by his disciples which means it is just as prone to human mistakes and falicies as everything else done by man. Christianity is suppose to soften your heart to your fellow man and teach you to be excepting and TOLERANT of your fellow man. Since nothing could be proven for one, love is what you're suppose to have for people you care about, and lastly when did interrogation and coersion become something the bible says is good. The bible didn't say "And God said if the think them to be a homosexual but cannot prove it then thou shalt interrogate those people until they admit." Kind of reminds me of the Salem witch trials and the "Black Listing" done during the cold war. Darn pinko commies! lol

D.F. wrote on Dec 23, 2005 7:16 AM:There seems to be a correlation between the legal issues in this case and the same issues that were brought up in the Boy Scouts of America cases. The courts have consistently found that if the school is a privately funded organization, it can set its rules and the students who attend have to obey those rules. If the school receives any public money for running the school, then it needs to comply with law concerning discrimination. The real question in my mind here, is why was the principal allowed to cross examine/question each naive, minor aged girl alone, without their parents present? No one has questioned why the principal was allowed to interrogate the girls without adult supervision to protect the girl's interests, and thereafter, make a unilateral decision with a limited source of information. Granted, the Board upheld his decision, but based on what evidence? If the board used the information that the principal obtained questioning the two minor girls without their parents or legal counsel present, then they were wrong and out of line. Administrators can easily twist the statements of a naive child into a major problem, which may have occurred here. If I were one of the parents of these girls or any student at this school for that matter, I would sit down and really ponder whether or not I want the school's administration to have the right to question/interrogate my children without my knowledge and without my participation to protect the interests of my child. Frankly, I think the administration was too heavy handed in this situation, regardless of the merits of upholding Christian values, and I would consider removing my children from the school because of its blatant disregard of parental involvement in the raising of children.

msn wrote on Dec 23, 2005 10:41 AM:Whatever happened to "Live, and let live" Who are we to dictate what someone can and cant do? Kids have sexual relations on school campuses all the time, including Christian schools, and in some cases, Christian schools are worse than public schools, because often parents take their sinning kids and put them in a private school setting hoping to right their worngs. Riverside County is Bible territory, and unfortunately the Bible clouds peoples good senses!!

Dear readers wrote on Dec 23, 2005 2:26 PM:It is a suprise to see all the slander going on between christians and non-christians. The questions are many concerning this. Do the girls have a right to practice a homosexual lifesytle? Not in that school, because as christians we believe that God has established marriage between a man and a women. Look to Sodom and Gomorrah for the example(The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were practicing homosexual ways and God destroyed them because it was wicked in His eyes)Gen 19:1-10. Christianity is not to tolerate but to love. There is a difference between the two. Tolerance is acceptance. Christians do not accept sin or a sinful way of life or they themselves become corrupt and are in danger of hell. Love, however corrects, trains and rebukes. It corrects the sin, but it does not accept sin. According to the religion, the girls were in the wrong and the principal despite the way he handled things, did this for the purpose of showing the girls their sin and showing to them how serious it was. Now, the law suit against the school is uncalled for since government cannot interfere with church. Churches are running this school.

Secular Bob wrote on Dec 23, 2005 4:38 PM:For all the indigance the supposed Christians among you have directed at these teenaged girls, not one of you has recognized that Bork has failed to cite any actual lesbian conduct, let alone open defiance of the church's teachings. As far as we know, he may have acted on mere suspicion. Shame on you.

CARING wrote on Dec 23, 2005 9:45 PM:AS PARENTS, WE DO THINGS OUT OF LOVE FOR OUR CHILDREN THAT SOMETIMES THEY DON'T LIKE OR DON'T THINK HELPS THEM. AS CHRISTIANS, PASTORS, TEACHERS AND CHURCH LEADERS IT IS OUR GOD GIVEN DUTY TO DISCIPLINE IN LOVE SHEEP THAT HAVE GONE ASTRAY (SINNED). SO, THAT THEY MAY RETURN TO THE FLOCK AND THEIR SHEPHERD AND ULTIMATELY RECIEVE THE REWARD OF HEAVEN. GOD DOES CONDEMN SIN BUT HE HAS REDEEMED THE SINNER. FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO VIEW IT THE CHURCH'S PLACE TO TEACH TOLERANCE OF SIN ARE TAKING SCRIPTURE OUT CONTEXT. UNFORTUNATELY IN OUR SOCIETY, IT IS VIEWED AS BIGOTRY AND HATE. OUR SOCIETY ALSO NO LONGER BELIEVES IN HELL AND SOMETIMES NOT EVEN HEAVEN.

just me wrote on Dec 24, 2005 2:00 AM:Did God not flood the earth? One of the reasons he did so, was because man kind was being to have relationships of same sex. Many people posting obviously do not understand the Lutheran ways. At the school, you are to set an example and live a life as God would see fit. That is not how God sees fit. They are heavly involved in the younger grades (elementary schools,etc) and would want a God fearing Lutheran, who abids in Gods ways, to be a leader to these kids. The school did what was right. They were protecting the image of the church, and the school.

Sherod wrote on Dec 24, 2005 9:03 PM:I strongly support the girls. I think they should stay. My sister goes to that school and I will go next year. Who cares if they are lesbians. What if they're not?!

Correcting wrote on Dec 25, 2005 9:25 PM:The secular people who are posting on this board need to understand something: every Lutheran is a Christian but not every Christian is a Lutheran. You need to delve deeper into what Lutherans believe versus what Catholics or Baptists or Jehovah's Witnesses or other Christian religions believe. What the Catholic Church falsely believes does not mean the Lutheran church believes it too. Stop lumping Lutheran in with all other religions and calling them all "Christian" beliefs. Lutherans do not believe everything Catholics do, and vice versa. Be more studied and knowledgeable in your facts before you start criticizing faiths by using false assumptions. People who believe in nothing stand on nothing credible.

concerned wrote on Dec 27, 2005 10:54 AM:I think that the school should have made some effort to help the girls. They state that they believe it is immoral and they should not be tolerant of the behaviour. By sending them away, persicuting them at once, and publicly humiliating them, I don't think you are helping them in the way a Christian should help their fellow man. If you are truly a believer you should be there in the time of need. Don't shun!

Cherri wrote on Dec 28, 2005 8:23 AM:As a teacher in these Lutheran schools and the wife of a future Lutheran pastor, I believe that what these two girls are doing is wrong. The school asked them to leave due to a reason that we do not have all the details for. We only know the girls' side of the story. A Lutheran school does not expel someone without just cause. Whether that cause would be drug use, alcohol use, pregnancy, theft, or insubordination, the school, as a private institution, has the right to make that desicion. Many times, the school will inform that child's home congragation's pastor so that there can be some counseling for the child. This is not discrimination. This is showing love to the sinner that needs to see the sin they are committing. Sometimes a child can be shown their sin through simple conversation, other times, more extreme measures must be taken. As for the idea that the parents of the girls were not notified first, what is the difference if there was suspicion that one of the girls was pregnant? Public schools today are not allowed to notify parents if their child is pregnant or planning on having an abortion, even if they are a minor. People say that that is that child's individual right. Well then, what happens if a child is suspected of homosexual tendencies? Our world has become so corrupt that now there are stipulations made on "how involved" a parent can be in their child's life. The government cannot interfere with something that this school did based on religious beliefs. If it does, the constitutional right of freedom of religion, ANY religion, is in jepordy.

Concerened mom wrote on Dec 28, 2005 3:22 PM:It's a shame that the names of the families and girls involved can be protected, but the names of the school and it's faculty can be used. What damage this paper's biased reporting and and it's readers comments can do to a person's reputation and career, as well as the Lutheran church's stand on the Bible as the inspired and Holy Word of God. I think our prayers would be of more use for all involved than using this lawsuit as a way to promote an agenda. I will pray that I have religious freedom to pass on to my daughter, and that I am not told by my governent and it's courts what parts of my religion I can teach to her. I also pray that I will still have a school like CLHS to send my daughter to to help me teach her these values. May God grant strength and guidance to it's teachers and faculty members who have dedicated themselves to serving and teaching!

Nedd wrote on Dec 29, 2005 7:53 AM:I'm certainly surprised groups like the ACLU and the Human Rights Campaign haven't entered the fray here and perhaps they yet will. The ACLU is already involved in a suit against a Catholic school in New York. But that aside, let's again remember this is a private school. Such schools as well as private businesses and corporations put up a lot of their own capital to get their operations going. They have to go thru regulations with government entities and pay all sorts of fees and taxes to maintain their existence. Frankly, I'm getting weary of people who don't like the way schools and businesses are run and want to force them to accomodate an agenda, no matter what it is. This is a free country and when certain individuals, regardless of whether it is right or wrong, want to impose their own standards on a business or school and get a government power to assist if it is not in line with such persons' agenda, then our freedoms are in jeopardy. The issue with this school is does it have a right to operate as it sees fit. Sure, I agree it would be wise to have students or parents sign a waiver, acknowledging the school's code of conduct. But unless physical harm is being done to individuals or a community, which it clearly is not, the school should operate as it sees fit without government interference or some trial lawyer looking to make a quick buck or forcing his own agenda. Competition of business and education is a beautiful thing. It's what defines us as Americans. If you don't like what I stand for as a business owner or school administrator, go to one of my competitors. If there are none, start your own. That is the American way. A retro refund to the families of the students of the unused portion of their education expenses may be appropriate in light of their discharge but aside from that, I see no basis for the suit. There may be a law on the books but historically, religious freedom has heightened protections and trumps law except when tangible harm is imposed by religious freedom of expression and that cannot be proven in this case. This is certainly a bellwether case here and if the suit succeeds, it puts any school or business who operates under moral standards at risk of moral compromise, something I cannot imagine our Founding Fathers ever supporting. It would definitely sets a precedent for ACLU types to dictate one's faith. The suit should be tossed, regardless of how one feels about homosexual relationships, real or perceived.

Apollo wrote on Dec 29, 2005 11:56 PM:"Tolerance". Why must I tolerate bad behavior? "Judge Not"...lest ye be judged by the same judgment. Please finish the quote. Your immorality has been legislated upon me for years. This country was founded by those (my personal relatives) who left their country and came here to worship freely. As for the girls' attorney who stated (foxnews.com) that Jews should not attend this school, I say why not? There is a code of conduct, if you can live by it, great. If you can't, go to another school. To all of those 'tolerant' people out there, start tolerating religion.

Thankful wrote on Dec 30, 2005 1:54 PM:I am thankful that this Christian school is standing up for its principles of Christianity. I have had "gay rights", "abortion rights", "freedom of speech of just a few of the population" crammed down my throat because they are the ones that shout the loudest and cause the most trouble until I am sick of it. Our nation was founded on Christianity and faith in God. I say, you don't like it... head to another country where you can be as unreligious as you like. I would hate to be you though when you stand before God and tell him it was "your right" to sin and go against his word. He will quickly inform you it is HIS right to sentence you to an eternity of fire and brimstone. Burn brightly all you sinners!!

Merle wrote on Dec 30, 2005 4:01 PM:I sincerely hope that Pastor Bork and the California Lutheran High School board of directors maintain their position. It is heartwarming to see such adherance to principles, a rairity in today's perverted world.

A. Question wrote on Dec 30, 2005 5:56 PM:In response to the statements about Pastor Bork's rhyme or reason to interrogating the 2 girls seperately, without parental concent: When someone gets sent to the principal's office, do they call the parents and wait for them to arrive, or do they interrogate the offender and then call the parents after they are educated in the situation? I was sent to the principal's office once, and they didn't even tell my parents, I told my parents.

Carolyn wrote on Dec 30, 2005 7:08 PM:In this case, it is so unclear as to what these girls were doing that caused school officials to believe they were lesbians. Who are they to decide what is a "normal" relationship between girls and what is one based on homosexual feelings? I can understand if the girls were being expelled for getting caught drinking or smoking, but one's sexual orientation can be such an ambiguous thing, and I believe it is wrong for the school to assume its nature. Also, it is completely unfair of the principal and those others involved to humiliate these girls by forcing them to discuss their sexual orientation with them, not to mention the fact that no parents were called to or notified of this discussion. To address the fact that one of the girls admitted to "loving the other," I see nothing offensive to the Lutheran church in that. If I remember correctly, the Bible teaches us to love one another. There is a distinct difference between loving another person (even one of the same sex) and having sexual feelings for. As a 17 year old girl, who also attends a comparatively small Lutheran high school, I am shocked to see this discrimination and intolerance from a church I once respected. I think this school should take a second look at their situation, and decide if this decision to expell these girls is one that accurately portrays the beliefs of the schools.

Jw wrote on Dec 30, 2005 7:08 PM:It's refresehing to know the school is not cowering to the political correct crowd. If Christians don't stand up to the prevailing wave of secular humanism, then they might as well hide. Tolerance, the shield of the bigoted hate mongers the likes of the ACLU and most homosexual advocacy groups is not the issue here. Why do christians have to tolorate sin when God commands Christians to forsake it? If any Christian tolorates sin, they are both hyprocrites and in violation of God's will. So for all the Christ bashers out there, what standard do you want us to use? If we tolorate sin, were're hyprocrites in God's eyes. If we don't tolorate acceptance of sexual orientation, we are hyprocrites to the world. A Christian can't win in secular humanist world. Stand strong Christians, the Just Judge will sort it out in the end.

David wrote on Dec 31, 2005 11:43 AM:It is not surprising to see the hatred in many of the comments posted here. It is this very behavior that continues to breed division and fuel the hate many of you claim to be practicing. The bible has been the source of many wars and distorted beliefs. Hitler used it to fuel his attempt to exterminate the jews. Among others the Baptist used it to justify slavery. Now many Christians use it to persecute and eliminate gay and lesbian human beings. Christ turned away noone. Please think rationally, without the paranoia and fear we are all so good at bestowing in one another and consider what anyone who is different, or does not practice what you consider to be the word of God. You are scaring people, attempting to eliminate their beliefs and love for one another. I pray to God, love my fellow man and enjoy the company of many gay, lesbian, straight people in my life. People claim there are those attempting to take their religious freedom away. Explain to your followers why you are casting these two women out of your school. If in fact these yound ladies are lesbian, is their LOVE for the other a sin, or is it your twist on what the bible states, which was written by your fellow man with passages that have been interpreted many different ways based on the religion you choose to follow. What I see is the evangelical reich and the bastardization of religion. Please stop the hate.

David wrote on Dec 31, 2005 2:51 PM:It is not surprising to see the hatred in many of the comments posted here. It is this very behavior that continues to breed division and fuel the hate many of you claim to be practicing. The bible has been the source of many wars and distorted beliefs. Hitler used it to fuel his attempt to exterminate the Jews. Among others, the Baptist used it to justify slavery. Now many Christians use it to persecute and eliminate gay and lesbian human beings. Christ turned away no one. Please think rationally, without the paranoia and fear we are all so good at bestowing in one another. Please consider how those who are different, or do not practice what you consider to be the word of God feel about this. You are scaring people, attempting to change their beliefs and ultimately love for one another that define the beauty and uniqueness of that individual. I pray to God, love my fellow man and enjoy the company of many gay, lesbian, and straight people in my life. The straight people continue to be straight, and the gay/lesbian people continue to be who they innately are. People claim there are those attempting to take their religious freedom away, ultimately you are casting these two women out of your school, making them feel ashamed of whom they are and their religion. If in fact these young ladies are lesbian, is their LOVE for each other truly a sin, or is it a twist on what the bible states, which was written by our fellow man with passages that have been interpreted many different ways based on the religion or beliefs we choose to follow. What I see is the evangelical Reich and the bastardization of religion. Please stop the hate. This is not what religion is about. Where are humility, love and respect for your fellow human being? please post this in place of my previous comments. I hope this is not a problem, thank you.

Name wrote on Jan 1, 2006 12:29 AM:The Bible gives us a moral and absolute law. The ten commandments are just that - moral and absolute. The Ten Commandments are not Politically Correct or Tolerant of deviant lifestyles. To you out there who believe that you set your own truth and standard, you are sadly mistaken. The Almighty God who created everyone and everything sets the standard and the truth. He alone is the judge. However, he, through the Holy Spirit inspired Bible, has revealed to us his Will and Law. It is according to this that we alone are to judge, but we are only to judge those who claim to be in our fellowship, we are not to judge unbelievers, that is the work of God. In a final effort to bring immoral brothers (in this case sisters) back to Christ, He has established excommunication, which this suspension/expulsion is in fact. Excommunication is not out of hatred but out of love ( which all of you 'tolerants' out there love to call bigotry) it is an attempt to bring those living in sin back to Christ, not to alienate them. Finally, Christ taught love first and foremost yes, but he also taught an absolute moral law, which everyone who has been given the gift of faith will abide by. THis law is not given or created by humans but by God... We who abide by it are not intolerant, we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to believe and live a life of sanctification according to God's Law. May God allow this controversy to bring more people to study his Word. Amen.

JW wrote on Jan 2, 2006 12:53 PM:David, you posted on 12/31 that "If in fact these young ladies are lesbian, is their LOVE for each other truly a sin, or is it a twist on what the bible states, which was written by our fellow man with passages that have been interpreted many different ways based on the religion or beliefs we choose to follow". In order to answer your question, a few errors on your assumptions of the Bible need to be addressed. 1. "our fellow man" did not write and interpret the bible, the Holy spirit, inspired by God wrote it. This is not disputable. Using your logic, I could claim that the Gay Manifesto was written by God and interpreted by Jesus! The facts are that Michael Swift wrote his own words, it and it's not subject to interpretation. Only the author has the ownership. As repugnant as the Gay Manifesto is, the bottom line is I either accepts it by faith as being in line with my values or I reject it. You fog your ability to think about fact when you reason from fiction. Only God has the interpretation of the Bible and you either except it or reject it. 2. God detests religion, so you are ignorant (misinformed) as to how God feels about anybody misaligning the intention of His Holy word. He claims it’s inerrant. You can only disagree if you want to have a reasonable dialog. 3.If the girls are indeed lesbians, the answer to your question, according to the Bible, with no outside interpretation is that the girls are in absolute sinful behavior; period. This is how loving God is, in that he allows the reader to accept or reject the content. If one sentence of the Holy Scriptures can be ignored while others can be accepted, it's a worthless document to apply any standard to. What good would it be to pick and choose any portion if it’s not reliable? It's either inerrant or it's not. The Bible can only be discerned by acceptance through faith and the Holy Spirit. That is what the writer, (God) explains to the reader. God is even so honest and helpful to the hater of His Word to state “For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those being lost, but to us being saved, it is the power of God.” 1 Cor 1:18 The relevance of this reply is to correct the ignorance of those who do not understand, accept or even know what the Bible actually says. Stop using the false premise that Jesus only preached love and acceptance. He spoke more on hell and Christian giving than love. Both are vital to all who want to spend eternity with God. Believing Christians don’t hate the sinner, they are commanded to hate the sin. If the secular world would be accepting of Christians not ignoring their leader’s commands, they would not hate Christians themselves. David, you are demonstrating the very hatred you are accusing Christians of practicing by judging them for following their absolute written and spiritual commands. We would be hypocrites if we ignore God’s commands. The officials at this school demonstrated the ultimate act of Godly love according to the authors own standards. They exposed the sin that will separate them from God's eternal presence. According to God, the only way the school officials could hate these families would be to allow then to continue in the sin. The school demonstrated the ultimate act of love by exposing the sin. If you don't like the message, don't shoot the messenger. These same Christian administrators will be the first to reinstate both ladies if they sincerely repent of the sin and agree to abide by the standards of the school and its owner, Jesus Christ. Do you think the parents and young ladies would offer this if they truly believe in the standards and responsibilities the Bible commands?

Peter wrote on Jan 3, 2006 8:03 PM:The issue is not whether or not homosexuality is wrong. The issue is whether a PRIVATE school has the right to operate their PRIVATE institution without the interference of the government. The private school has the right to decide who stays and who goes, and answers to their supporters.

Peter wrote on Jan 3, 2006 8:09 PM:The issue is not homosexuality; it is a PRIVATE school's right to be selective as to who is admitted. A private organization has that right; a public one does not.

Cait wrote on Jan 5, 2006 8:00 AM:i think that people in a private school should be showing other people through their actions how to live a righteous life. i am very into my faith and i think its sad that satan has influenced these girls at such a young age. I think the school had every right. i mean if you are in an anti- drug and alcohol club and you come to school one day drunk and high, well they should not be in the club anymore! same things go for the school. these girls go against what God teaches and that's not allowed in a private school... they should not win this case!!! God Bless -cait

Another Mary wrote on Jan 8, 2006 3:14 PM:I have to say that unfortunately since this school did not recieve funding from the government, it did not have to adhere to AB 537. "AB 537 protects students and school employees against discrimination and harassment at all California public schools and any school receiving state funding except religious schools." That is from a GSA website. But, they did not have complete proof that these girls were lesbians, and I am very disturbed by the principal's decision to interrogate the students without their parents even knowing. One of the girls saying "I love her" doesn't nessecarily mean that they are in a relationship or anything like that. What does scare me is that I still find interrogating people like this over sexual orientation and religion like the salem witch trials.

STEVE wrote on Jan 9, 2006 4:15 AM:It's amazing that if you read through the many comments you can see many folks have this misconception that these girls are GUILTY of something. So far the only thing that they're guilty of is being accused of something without any proof. If we were all judged by "alleged" behavior..we'd all be convicted. In fact..we are convicted of our sins here on earth and that's why we will all die. But bullying a kid[s] and taking action as drastic as expelling vs. suspension and doing it without parents even being aware of it all going on is...at the least...a mis-use/abuse of power.

Steve wrote on Jan 28, 2006 10:12 AM:Values are not to be based on human reason. To do so is to ignore humankind's long history of doing what is destructive. Every society that has relied upon its rationale to determine morality has collapsed (Rome, Greece). Along with this, consider the brutal regimes that have existed and passed from the last century (Khmer Rouge, Hitler's Germany, etc.). Since humanity has failed to maintain based on its own standards, where should they come from? ANOTHER SOURCE.

JustAThought wrote on Nov 17, 2006 11:33 AM:After reading these posts, I have seen a common thread that eventhough pro-homosexual groups have not specifically brought on the law suit to further their agenda, this has opened the door for yet another fight and division between Americans. Most of the posts had very little to do with this specific school's decision but has become each side of homesexuality bashing each other. I, too, am tired of being told that I'm a bigot and intolerant because I do not believe in the gay lifestyle. However, people who are pro-gay and are opposed to my viewpoint are never called intolerant and bigots, instead they're "politically correct". The bottom line with the school is that since it is private, it should be able to provide its services without interference from the government and politically correct agendas. I don't know that the situation was handled in an ideal manner. But that's the point, everyone is getting all riled up over something that we don't have every detail about. It's like a preschool game called Telephone. By the time it gets through the third or fourth person, it's a totally different story. One other thing to consider is that Christians are not perfect, nobody is. It's just that unbelievers love to point fingers at Christians when they make a mistake. No one is perfect, except for Christ. It is also unfair to label the entire Christian community as haters when a handful of people (Hitler, etc.) misuse the scripture. No one looks at lives that are saved, families put back together, addictions released, and other things that are a direct beneficial result from having a faith in Christ.