Christian Students to Promote "Truth" at School

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Christian Students to Promote "Truth" at School

Special Report - April 21, 2008
On Monday, April 28, thousands of Christian students in public and private schools across the United States will exercise their constitutional rights to free speech and religious expression by participating in the 2008 “Day of Truth.” The event was created by the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF as a way for Christian students to respectfully express an opposing viewpoint on the issue of homosexuality in schools. The “Day of Truth” is intentionally held after the annual “Day of Silence,” a pro-homosexual event created by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), that encourages students to remain silent throughout the school day to protest discrimination and violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. According to the pro-family group Mission: America, students at about two dozen schools in North Carolina are participating in the pro-homosexual “Day of Silence,” which is scheduled for April 25 this year.

ADF reports that over 7,000 students in 1,022 schools in 49 states participated in last year’s “Day of Truth.” During the event, students wear “Day of Truth” t-shirts to school and distribute cards between classes that state: “I’m speaking the Truth to break the silence. True tolerance means that people with differing—even opposing—viewpoints can freely exchange ideas and respectfully listen to each other. It’s time for an honest conversation about homosexuality. There’s freedom to change if you want to. Let’s talk.”

In 2007, Focus on the Family and Exodus International joined with ADF to help promote the “Day of Truth.” According to ADF, both organizations are “providing information and support regarding the theological, social, research and religious ministry issues” related to homosexuality through the “Day of Truth” website. In addition, ADF is offering its services to help assist students who encounter challenges to the “Day of Truth” from homosexual activists or school officials. In 2006, for example, a high school student in Dunn, North Carolina, was suspended for attempting to distribute “Day of Truth” message cards between classes. ADF filed a lawsuit against the Sampson County School Board on behalf of the student, and in March 2007, the school board agreed to a settlement in the case, promising to revise its policies and allow students to participate in the “Day of Truth” and similar events in the future.

“The ‘Day of Truth’ is about promoting truth, not silence on the issue of homosexuality,” said Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “Christian students have a constitutional right to express their views on homosexuality, and this event gives them the chance to do that in a respectful manner.”

For more information about the “Day of Truth,” including a resource manual, a students’ rights handbook, and information on how to contact ADF, visit the “Day of Truth” website.