Bullying; The Epidemic vs. the Opportunity

Bullying is nothing new. It's been more than 30 years since Arnold undertook learning Kung Fu in an effort to defend himself against "The Gooch". The 90's were marked with Jenny Jones episodes of the bullied seeking to rub any and every ounce of "success" they've experienced since high school in the face of anyone who bullied them. Recently, a light was shone on bullying when video of Nadin Khoury being hung from a fence by a group of older, bigger misfits went viral. It is evident that the internal scars of bullying need a salve deeper reaching and longer lasting than a bag of frozen peas.

As the 2011-2012 school year began, I as a parent was inundated with updated bullying statutes. We were told by those in charge that these statutes were inspired by the suicide of Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers student who was secretly and illegally taped and having gay sex.

I think that labeling these discussions as bullying is a misnomer. While the bullying discussions cover topics like "mutual respect", there is also an onus on topics such as "dealing with same sex attraction." I see it as a direct affront to me as a parent. I am supposed to ensure that my children watch age appropriate television, listen to age appropriate music, read age appropriate books, but I have no say on them having an age appropriate discussion.

What adults do in the privacy of their own homes is not the business of my five year old regardless of sexual preference. I would not be accepting of the school discussing a heterosexual sex, attractions, positions, or fetishes with my children, so why should I feel any different about homosexual themed discussions.

What bothers me enough to write a blog about it is the misleading nature. These bullying discussions were structured with an agenda in mind. Some have been bothered by the epidemic of bullying. Others however have found it to be an opportunity to spread their own agenda.

What's in a Name?

Shakespeare posed the question whose answer is at best rhetorical. After all, I agree with him in most cases. If the word 'garbage' was used to describe the flower we know as a rose and the word 'rose' was used to describe waste and discarded useless materials; then the phrase, "Wow you smell like garbage" would have different connotations. As it relates to people, most parents name their children before they ever get to know a child's personality. And will someone please explain to me how a fragrance can be marketed as "Eau de toilette?" I've never taken French, but unless "Eau de" is translated as "doesn't smell like" I don't think they'll be getting my hard earned money.

As random and meaningless as the convention of naming may be, it is almost impossible to escape the effects of sullied name. Don't believe me? Just ask Baltimore sports caster Gerry Sandusky how former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky's child sex allegations have affected him. Gerry took to twitter tweeting, "My late father, John, left me a good name, and I will not allow anyone to take that away. Gerry with a G. Sandusky with pride." In addition to Sandusky, consider the Ruth and Andrew Madoff interviews related to their swindling husband and father.

Unfortunately, the answer to Shakespeare's question is multi-pronged and usually not evident until it is too late. What is in a bad name? In a bad name is a burden. What is in a bad name is hardship and prejudice. Unfortunately, the perils of having a bad name are often not considered until the aftermath of negative actions. What is in a good name? The bible says that a good name is more precious than silver and gold (Proverbs 22:1). What is in a good name is a very precious standing that needs constant maintenance. It takes a lifetime to maintain a good name, but one misstep to lose it. What is in a name that is neither good nor bad? In that name is opportunity to define.

So a good name is precious and valuable, but what about a name that is more than good? What about a perfect name? What about the name of God himself? God cared enough about his name to instruct us not to use it in vain.

God has opened up our lines of communication with him. Opening those lines were not cheap. Remeber that before Jesus' death priests would communicate with God in the tabernacle/temple under strict guidelines. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the door was opened to where we could be adopted as heirs if we choose to believe in Christ as the only way to God. That adoption allows us to become part of his family, similar to accepting his last name.

For those of us who have accepted Christ, accepted God's offer of adoption, and accepted to be under the umbrella of his name; what is our affect on the name of God? God was not disillusioned when he adopted imperfect people, but God does expect our best; if for no other reason than because he's already given us his best. But some of us, through our actions cause the name of God to be blasphemed. We, in large groups participate in the show of church and reject Christ's way of life. We as Christian's follow the money, the fame, the power of influence and do not acknowledge in our lives the God who has allowed us to take his name. Some of us blindly support demagogues with cliches like, "Keep your mouth off the man of God." In the midst of false teachers, preachers, apostles and in this age where even the church sometimes waivers on calling evil good; it's time for us who are true followers of "The Way" to make sure we are properly representing the family we've been adpoted into and the Father and Son who paid the price. It's a challenge to submit to the foolishness to experience the power.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amPgt8WhjRk