Statement to School Board re: Sex Ed & LGBTQ; Sept 6, 2022

 

My name is Rev. George Miller. I’ve had the honor to serve in Sebring for 12 years. 

 

It’s wonderful to watch the School Board do the work you do, for the sake of our kids.  But I’m concerned about the discussions regarding comprehensive health ed.

 

Few of the decisions seem to be based on fact and research. 

 

Research shows how life-saving sex education is.  Data shows that sex ed reduces teen pregnancy, STI’s, cuts down on depression and suicide attempts.

 

Research from places like Darkness 2 Light show that teens who take sex ed are less likely to be sexually abused and trafficked.

 

Data shows that abstinence-only lessons do NOT keep our kids safe, STD or pregnancy free.

 

Orientation is discussed as if being lesbian or gay is only about sex.  Orientation is about identity.  Who you love, how you see yourself, when you feel the most YOU.

 

To use personal religious views to say that people of the LGBTQ community are evil is wrong.  This puts false words into Jesus’ mouth, going against his teachings of compassion.

 

It’s scary to know that safe havens are not allowed and that children who come to you in confidence can be outed to their parents.

 

Telling a parent that their child has come out as LGBTQ can pose great danger.  40% of our homeless youth identify as LGBTQ and were kicked out by family.  Up 40% of homeless teens are sex trafficked. 

 

What we’ve heard by public speakers are personal takes of their faith, laced with misunderstood interpretations of scripture, often using mistranslated texts. 

 

Folk say “We want to teach a biblical approach to sex,” yet the Bible features polygamy, concubines, marrying your kin.

 

I am concerned about the meanness we have witnessed in this room done by the people identifying as Christians. 

 

LGBTQ youth are discussed at these meetings as inhuman and non-citizens.

 

It's as if the bullies from jr. high have grown up to be bullies at the board meetings.  We know that often those who are bullies are themselves having issues at home.

 

There is a saying that “A hit dog hollers.”  There seem to be folk here today who are overly obsessed with the LGBTQ presence.

 

Perhaps they are worried that someone they care about is gay; perhaps they’re worried that they are gay, so they’re doing all they can to demonize others so they don’t have to look at themselves.

 

If that is you today, please stop.  You are hurting innocent youth; ultimately you are hurting yourself.  If this is you, know that you are worthy of love and there are people who will stand by and support you. 

 

Let us stop this assault on our LGBTQ youth who are simply trying to be their true selves.

 

HB 1557 Statement to School Board, March 21, 2022

 

Greetings.  My name is Rev. George Miller.  I have the privilege of serving Emmanuel UCC, and as Board Member At Large for NAACP #5087.

 

For the past few months it’s been an honor to attend these meetings, witnessing the dedicated work you all do for the sake of our children. 

 

Though I am not a parent, I care about our community, both the teachers and our students.

 

I come here today to share two thoughts regarding House Bill 1557.

 

The 1^st is how disappointed I am in our state’s elected leadership.

 

I am disappointed that those in power do not trust or seem to know our teachers.

 

Many of our teachers were raised here, with a deep love for their students, raised with morals and impeccable work ethic.

 

To assume that our teachers come to class with an agenda, or a desire to talk about nothing but orientation or gender identity is an embarrassment.

 

The teachers I know, give of themselves tirelessly, do their best, and deserve to be commended, not condemned.

 

Second, I am concerned about HB 1557.  It seems our elected officials did not think this thoroughly through.

 

Lines 21-22 state that HB 1557 “prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity.”

 

Lines 97-100 state that instruction of orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through 3rd.

 

Lines 124-151 states what can happen if a concern arises, which includes bringing an action against the school district to obtain a judgement, and a court may award damages and attorney fees.

 

Here is the issue- those who passed HB 1557 didn’t realize that being heterosexual is an orientation.  Being straight is an orientation.

 

A biological boy saying he’s a boy or a biological girl stating he’s a girl is gender identity. 

 

If we follow the letter of the law, it means that we cannot say “Straight”.  Because if we say “straight” we have discussed orientation.

 

Therefore, our heterosexual teachers can not talk about their husband or wife, or show a photo of them with their spouses.

 

It means that when teaching history we cannot acknowledge spouses because that indicates a person’s orientation.

 

We cannot teach our kids that President Washington was married to Martha- that indicates orientation.

 

This means we can not refer to someone as a boy or girl, or male or female, because that is gender identity.

 

Therefore, in current events, we could not refer to Vice President Harris as the first female VP.

 

If our teachers cannot discuss orientation or gender, every book in the classroom and library will have to be gone through.

 

If there is a reference in any book, to a straight relationship or Jack being a boy and Jill being a girl, it will need to be removed.

 

Does this mean that teachers can no longer be respectfully addressed as “Mr.”, “Miss”, “Mrs.” or “Sir”?  These titles are clearly gender based.

 

HB 1557 is written in such a way that any parent, at any time, can find fault in any discussion of orientation and gender.

 

They can go through the process of parental notification, special magistrate, and disputes that incur cost and fees.

 

My heart grieves for our students; my heart grieves for our teachers who only want to educate, and my heart grieves for you, our school board, who only want what’s best for all.

 

Thank you for your time, your wisdom, and your compassion.

 

Faithfully,  Rev. George Miller

Pastoral Response- Shooting at Sutherland Springs

Dear Editor,

Psalm 90, begins with "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations." Other translations use the word "home" or "refuge", thus making the claim that God is a safe place.

Yet, on Sunday November 5, the members of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, TX did not experience safety or refuge.

At a time like this, people want words of comfort, but perhaps what we need most are words of discomfort. Comfort can lull us into a sense of complacency; discomfort can cause us to respond, think, and act.

Once again the issues of mental illness, hate, and guns enter into the political discourse, but at what value?

We look at the number of people killed by guns this year alone, and some say there needs to be more gun control. But then we can look at the number of people killed by cars or automobile accidents, and no one says "Cars are dangerous and need to be taken off the street."

We can look at scripture, when Jesus was arrested in the garden, and one of the disciples drew their sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's slave, which indicates that the disciples were strapped. But...we also have Jesus say "Put your sword back into place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matthew 26:31-31)

I wonder, while wrestling with all that has taken place, if perhaps there needs to be a change in vocabulary as we discuss events like those that took place in TX, Las Vegas and PULSE.

Words matter. Maybe the phrases "gun rights" and "gun control" need to be replaced. Personally, I believe everyone has the right to own a gun. But "gun rights" makes it sound like an inanimate object has more meaning than a human life. I also believe there should be certain rules around guns, but "gun control" sounds like someone wants to take guns away.

So, maybe a better phrase is "gun wisdom." Wisdom is a word that infers deep thought, a process, and the ability to see things from all sides.

In the discomfort of the events at First Baptist, I wonder if what we could must benefit from is a discussion about the wisdom around what it means to own, sell, and care for guns; wisdom on how they are to be used, stored, treated; wisdom on the consequences of misuse; and wisdom on how to prevent and respond to events like those that recently happened.

I see the gun debate as one in which people are digging in their heels on either side, doubling down on what they think is the true, and only, solution. I think there is so much more to discuss and to learn.

People have always found weapons to inflict great harm, pain, and power over others. Lest we forget, the swords the disciples carried were weapons. Lest we forget, the means by which Jesus was crucified, the cross, was the weapon of choice for the Roman government.

There are no words of comfort that I feel I can honestly convey. It is more like a numbness; a "here-we-go-again-itis." But I do think that we, as a community, and as a country, can begin really wrestling with the wisdom around what guns are, why we have them, and what are the ways to ensure our children, our churches and our communities are kept as safe as possible.

As Psalm 90 begins with the claim that God is our home/dwelling place/refuge, it ends with a prayer that makes so much sense, and proves to be so timely-

"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands- O prosper the work of our hands!"

Peace and prosperity to everybody.

Sincerely, Rev. George Miller

Pastoral Reflections While Preparing for Hurricane Irma

Pastoral Reflection on Hurricane Irma
By Rev. George Miller, Emmanuel UCC

First- breathe.

Remember it was the breath of God that moved over the waters and brought forth creation.

Now- give thanks to God.

Just as Jesus did before he broke the bread and fed the masses with just a few loaves and fish.

Then- tell God how you feel, what you need, and the things you hope for.

Just as the psalmists, and prophets, and the people of God who lived centuries before us, and will live centuries after.

Breathe…

As we in the heart of Florida prepare for all the possibilities that can befall us this weekend, it is time to do some spiritual thinking.

We’ve already dealt with fear, we are doing our best to stock up and make plans. Now we wait.

Over the last few weeks here at Emmanuel UCC we have had the chance to explore scriptures that can give us the very tools that are needed for a time like this.

Think of John 6:16-21, when the disciples are in a boat, facing rough seas, and Jesus comes to them. So often we hear this story as the one about Jesus walking on water, or Peter sinking, or the storm suddenly stopping.

But I like the image the scripture presents of Jesus stepping into the boat…and they arrive at the other side. Perhaps that is the greatest miracle of the story- that at one point they are fussing and flailing, and the other moment, Jesus steps in, and they arrive at their destination. Doesn’t mean everything was perfect or all problems solved; it means that when Jesus is with us, we will get to the other side, whatever that side is or means.

I trust that no matter what Hurricane Irma brings, we will get to the other side of the storm with Jesus.

Breathe…

Think of the 23rd Psalm. The wonderful line that reads “…your rod and your staff-they comfort me.” (vs. 4) Note the intentional word usage here.

Comfort.

God will give us comfort.

This verse does not imply that the rod and staff are like a magical wand that will remove all issues, or will wipe away whatever it is that we are prevailing against, but that we will receive comfort. Emotional strength. Spiritual solace. The ability to face whatever is in the valley.

Breathe…

Last week we spent time with John the Baptist and Jesus in the countryside, where the water was abundant (John 3:22-30). We used this expressive image of plentiful H2O to talk about all the different opportunities that are presented to us to not only help others, but to best be our authentic selves.

Not only will Irma leave us with much water, but there will be many upon many opportunities for us to reach out to one another and be the best neighbor we can be, sharing the gifts that we have.

We will also have the humble opportunity to receive the help offered by our neighbors.

The waters/opportunities will be abundant, so empowered by the Holy Spirit, let the leaders lead, the builders build, the rescuers rescue, the cookers cook/grill/BBQ/feed, the caregivers give compassionate care, the spiritual soldiers provide spiritual support, those with $$$/resources to give, those with boats- rescue, those with power tools/saws to cut away/clean up, and the police to protect.

Let us- as citizens of Avon Park, Sebring, Lorida, Lake Placid etc. come together as ONE, and we will get through this.

Breathe…

The God of Creation will find ways to give us COMFORT.

Jesus will appear in ways/people we could never imagine and take us to the other side.

The moving, dancing, ever-free Holy Spirit will empower us to use our talents/gifts to help others when the opportunities arrive.

Breathe…

We are loved. We are beloved. We are loving.

Breathe…

Amen.

Pastoral Statement for Tonight's Vigil on the Circle

Peace does not mean you are passive.
Peace does not mean you are silent.
Peace does not mean you are in-active.

Nor does peace mean you are complacent, or accepting of unkind, unjust realities.

Peace means you adhere to a vision and promise- that here in America ALL people are equals, that ALL people have a right to living a life of goodness; that ALL have the ability to come together and move forward as ONE.

ALL people.

Not 90%
Not some.

Not just those who have my same eye color, or same religious beliefs, or same ethnic make-up.

But ALL.

To gather in the midst of all that has gone on is to say to the community around us “WE are strong, WE are compassionate, and WE believe in the vision and the promise of our nation’s ancestral leaders.”

Those who have fear brandish torches; we with courage hold the flames of justice in our hearts.

Those who are detached from their fellow women and men shout of blood and soil; we who are in fellowship with our sisters and brothers speak of our beautiful land and the knowledge that there is enough for all.

Tonight, we let those who are filled with falsified hate know that history has shown again and again that the stories, the songs, the memories, and the acts of those who courageously act out of justice and kindness are the ones that last, because they give us hope.

And when one has hope, they are strong and unstoppable.

Though I am unable to stand beside you today in body, I proudly stand with you in spirit.

May the life-affirming call to say “No!” to hate guide you in being strong, guide you in being a positive presence, and guide you in saying to the Community that we are ONE.

We are One in which each of us is an essential person, and every one of us can be a channel for change.

In justice, in kindness, and in humility,
Rev. George Miller
Emmanuel United Church of Christ
Sebring, FL