Saturday, January 7, 2012

Acceptance

I have many titles under my Resources page on diversity.    Many of the titles suggested talk about skin color differences, disability, unique family makeup---but whatever the topic, it all comes back to the idea that we should embrace people as they are and that, deep down, we are all human.

I want my girls be accepted for who they are---including being brown-skinned and adopted.   The world says that being adopted is either strange, extra special, or in vogue---but to me, adoption is none of those things.    The world also says that being brown-skinned means you are less beautiful and more dangerous than lighter-skinned people.    

I really appreciate what these authors try to do---to unify the readers, to teach them that the beauty of people is in their differences.    However, I question how much of these ideas crosses over into a society with no moral compass.  

I do believe every person has value.   I believe, as a pastor once said, that every person in this world is someone for whom Christ died.     I do believe that God loves every person---regardless of his or her skin color, family makeup, education, capabilities, etc. 

But, the Bible is clear that there is sin in the world, and God hates sin.  Sin separates from God.   So when we embrace anyone, does that also mean we embrace anything?  As in "anything goes" and "whatever floats your boat" is fine?

The authors of the titles I suggest often have a line or two that includes adoption among people's unique circumstances (which we should embrace).     But to parallel adoption with a religion, for example, that directly conflicts with my faith, well, then what?    Most of these books do it.   Yet, I want my girls to know that there are many kinds of people, and no matter what, we should love them all.  That doesn't mean we are ok with their choices.

This brings to mind the old saying I heard often growing up:  "Love the sinner, hate the sin."  

Difficult balance, and, furthermore, something very challenging to teach young children.

What do you think?  Is the "love everyone" message in diversity and acceptance books a good idea?   Do you have any moral conflicts that prevent you from reading these books to your kids?   

2 comments:

  1. I don't have a conflict with the "love everyone" message in diversity books. I think that there is a difference between loving or accepting people, and approving of all their choices. I can love and accept people without agreeing with or approving of everything they think, do, or believe. And I can treat them with kindness and/or politeness without that meaning I tacitly agree with or approve of those things on which we differ. So I hope to be able to teach my kids that, mostly by modeling it for them.

    I think the easiest and most graceful way to handle a conflict of beliefs, if such a thing should come up in polite interaction, is just to say, "That's not how I believe (or think, or do) but I respect your right to feel (or think, or do) that. Thanks for sharing." If the situation calls for an exchange of ideas, I would take that opportunity to share my perspective, and then move on to another subject. Usually with the kinds of people I see often, subjects on which we conflict don't come up every time we visit.

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  2. No, I would read most any of the "love everyone" books to my child. Even those about same-sex families. I believe that Christians and their children must be knowledgeable about the different types of families that are out there. We still teach strong Bible-values to our children and they will know that homosexuality is not something that God is okay with, but in the real world that we live in, we will celebrate families built on love no matter what they look like and we will not put in place a government that regulates families. I believe that a balanced family is one that reaches out and gets involved while maintaining a Christ-centered approach. the world will be changed by our love, not our laws.
    xoxo, adri

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