For parents of young children, finding the best early education options can be a nightmare. But this is something else entirely.
Married couple Brian Copeland and Greg Bullard have been searching for the right school for their son. Greg is a senior pastor at a local church, and a faith-based education is on their priority list (we’ll reserve judgment on that one, suffice it to say they sound like lovely people).
A friend of theirs recommended Davidson Academy, a Christian school that has no direct affiliation to any religious institution or church. The friend even when to so far as to inquire with someone he knew who worked at the school, who told him that Brian and Greg’s family would be welcome there.
The couple made a phone call to set up an appointment, and a few days later received a letter in the mail:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
It reads:
Although Davidson Academy is not sponsored by or affiliated with any specific church or denomination, the school was founded by Christians and operates in the Christian tradition based upon clear tenets of faith and practice. In the Handbook for Students and Parents, which is accessible on our public website and to which every family must subscribe in the Enrollment Agreement, our Statement of Faith appears on page 6. The first point of the Statement is as follows:
We believe God has revealed Himself, His purposes, and His ways in the Bible, which is therefore absolute in its truth and authority over daily living.
The practical application of this principle extends to the lifestyle conduct of those who are a part of the school. In the section on Admission Policy in the Handbook, on page 15, is found this statement:
Davidson Academy requires all its students, parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, staff and trustees to manifest lifestyle conduct and actions which project an image consistent with the expressed purposes, mission, and beliefs of the school. Any lifestyle conduct which is in opposition to the mission of Davidson Academy or which impedes the school’s credibility with its constituency or the general public is unacceptable.
One example of such lifestyle is homosexuality. Davidson Academy has the right and responsibility to do everything possible to ensure that its expressed purposes, mission, and beliefs continue in their highest traditions and are not harmed, compromised, or hindered by unacceptable lifestyle conduct on the part of its students, parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, staff or trustees.
Brian posted the letter to Facebook, blurring out the name of the school, adding the following message. HuffPost notes that it traced the letter back to Davidson easily.
I share this to let my friends know that discrimination affects people you know and love and still hurts no matter how many times you go through it. We chose this school because of its rigorous faith-based K-12 academics and extra curricular activities; and, a friend with a son there asked them if a family like ours would be allowed and was told yes. After a phone conversation, fully disclosing we are a two-dad family, an appointment was set for us. I receive this letter canceling our appointment without even getting a chance.
Sadly enough, an acquaintance called the school this morning and told them she had been through a divorce because she cheated and that she now lives with her three kids and her boyfriend. The administrator welcomed them with open arms and offered an appointment.
I chose to not share the name because the kids who go there deserve respect and to learn in peace. It’s not about me getting my way. My children will not go there under this person’s administration. It’s about telling the story that there are real faces and feelings that open letters like this. We want the best for our kids, and THEY deserve to be given a chance. I love you all. The love you show my family every day here makes life even richer.
If we’re going to go off Christian values, it’s also worth noting that Brian and Greg have won awards for their community service, and that they run the only LGBT food pantry in Tennessee, serving over 200 families monthly.
Brian told HuffPost, “I’ve learned through this experience we need to choose a place that will not only admit our children, but celebrate them.”
Cam
“”Sadly enough, an acquaintance called the school this morning and told them she had been through a divorce because she cheated and that she now lives with her three kids and her boyfriend. The administrator welcomed them with open arms and offered an appointment.””
____________________________
Of COURSE they accepted her. Hypocritical bigots only attack “Sins” that are not inconvenient for they themselves.
Jesus spoke out specifically against divorce, and Jesus said nothing about homosexuality. This school ignores the actual words of Christ but uses the Bible as an excuse to attack and hate others.
Fairly typical.
jwtraveler
I have no sympathy. I don’t understand “gay Christians” who choose to associate themselves with institutions that promote the values of bigotry, intolerance and discrimination. Why would any decent LGBT people want their children to have a Christian education?
Christianity is a lifestyle choice. And it is inconsistent with the principle of equality.
Leonard Woodrow
Christianity is based entirely on the claim of the Bible writers that “God” inspired them to write it.
Given the scientific ignorance of the time, and the fact that belief in spirits and gods was commonplace, people could be excused for swallowing the story … but in these enlightened times there is no excuse for such gullibility.
onthemark
“We believe God has revealed Himself…”
Cue to Charlie Hebdo cartoon of God as a dirty old FLASHER on the Paris Metro!
@jwtraveler: I can’t dredge up any sympathy either. Don’t know why they expected anything else.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
@jwtraveler:
1000% Co-sign. Akin to Jewish parents wishing to send their kids to the Hitler Youth Camp…………………….
ingyaom
Well, now, at least, their son has a chance of getting a decent education.
tdx3fan
@jwtraveler: Absolutely well said. I can see you wanting your kid to learn the real values of that mythology. Do unto others, help the poor, obey your parents… etc. But, to indoctrinate your children into the religious side is absolutely disgusting, and should never be done. Your children should be able to make up their own minds about religion when they are old enough to do so.
Its funny how you can take the most brilliant people who are hard working and hard thinking in all other aspects of their life and the moment you discuss religion as a rational topic with both the pros and cons they stick their fingers in their ears and start shouting, “I don’t hear you, I don’t hear you!”
SFHandyman
If a black family was trying to send their kids to a KKK school, I’d thank the Klan for rejecting them. That way the kids wouldn’t be taught to hate themselves and their parents.
Gay people need to stop funding and working for religious organizations. Live a good, honest life. Stop funding discrimination and division.
This school, like the Catholic schools, have made their stand very clear. They do not like you. They do not want you to succeed. They do not want others to help you get equality.
Gay parents and gay teachers at religious schools need to get a grip on reality and quit giving help to their enemies.
Gruffling
To be fair not every religious person is a bigot. Granted in America there do tend to be mostly extremes of every standpoint. I have religious friends that are appalled at bigotry, I even know an American Christian who while he disagrees with gay marriage on an institutional level was a very vocal opponent of that exodus thing.
Honestly I think assuming that everyone religious is a bigot and the enemy is kind of as bad as someone assuming all gays are mincing cross-dressers with lisps. There are going to be an uncountable level of religious lunatics who are and I’ll be the last to argue with that since my dad’s a vicar who tried to teach me from a young age being gay was disgusting. Nature over nurture there.
I digress, my point is you can’t deal in absolutes and say 100% of anyone is anything because you can wind up insulting genuinely decent people.
Merv
@Gruffling: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with assuming a Christian is a bigot. The vast majority are. It’s a fundamental tenet of their religion to hate gay people. Sure the Nazi party had its Oskar Schindlers, but they were the exception that proved the rule.
Rangerboy
Where is the discrimination? This school is a private institution. Therefore they have the freedom to chose who they want to admit. For instance, me myself as a non believer, I would not hire or want to work with a religious zealot. I will respect his beliefs, but I will tell him to keep them to himself. Its none of my business what he believes, but it is my freedom not be burdened by his beliefs. Same with LGBT: I don’t care if someone is gay or not. But don’t impose your lifestyle on me. Be free what you want to do.
mbfmark
In my book, adults who force their religious views on their children commit child abuse. What right to they have to push their own mythical delusions on innocent children? When I see gay people who also want to be “good christians” I see individuals who still have personal issues they haven’t worked out. Or maybe, the really WOULD like to spend eternity alongside Michele Bachmann or Piyush “Bobby” Jindal! THAT truly WOULD be eternal damnation!
Harley
@Rangerboy: Your right, of course. Several years ago I had to look for an adult sitter to stay with my mother while I worked. She was bed ridden and couldn’t leave the house. If there was ever the words “good Christian woman” in the ad, I would cross it out and go with the next one. The words “good Christian woman” to me was code for “lying, thieving abuser”.
IvanPH
https://www.facebook.com/DavidsonAcademy
That’s the FB page of the bigoted school.
dustashed
Interesting comments. I guess will be the first and probably only commenter to say that; if and when i have a family, i would want for my child to have a christian upbringing from a catholic school. For all its faults and shortcomings, i am happy and have no regrets having been raised in a catholic private school since pre-K. Although my views and the “official” stance of the church on certain issues like divorce, gay marriage, contraception among others are currently at opposing ends, it does not diminish my gratitude for the huge part it has played in molding me into the compassionate and understanding man that i am today.
Maybe i am just one of the lucky ones, but the church and the catholic school i grew up in didn’t really seem all that bad as compared to what others constantly write of from their own experience. And i also remember that i had a very flamboyant classmate, i remember one incident where this other kid was calling him a derogatory word for gay in our language.. The priest who was one of our teachers at the time overheard it and reprimanded the kid. Of course he went on and on about the bible and loving thy neighbour and he who has no sin cast the first stone and all that stuff.. But i mean, it is a totally different and milder tone than what is on north america. I dunno, maybe it was just the place.. But the country where this happened is in a country with 85% catholic population not counting other christian denomination. Makes you think, is it really the religion? Or the people.
dustashed
Another interesting story to put things into perspective as to how different christians are and how different christian organizations are outside of NA. Church activities like processions, feast day of saints etc are usually organized, planned, decorated.. everything. By flamboyant gay guys or even guys who dress in drag in broad daylight. The march inside the church like they own the place and oversee the decorations. I’m not saying discrimination doesn’t happen, it does.. But it’s a totally different atmosphere. You can take this as substantial especially when you see the equivalent of drag shows being held on a makeshift podium just a few meters away from a church. And kids as young as 5 watch these side shows with their parents and nobody bats an eyelash. Yes i do understand that tolerance does not equate to acceptance. But i’d take tolerance any day as compared to being hanged, murdered, beaten up, fired from your job.
rcblue73
The thing is, if you’re gay and hang with conservative religious orgs that hate homosexuals, you’re going to end up being mind-f*cked whether you realize it or not. For instance, during the past several years I’ve known and worked with a few older lesbians who are close to older, right wing Christian women. The lesbians all seemed to be going for the same tough, butch persona, they live out in the far suburbs, don’t identify with the “gay thing” (like to use the word ‘fag’ instead), collect guns and do the whole redneck drag scenario. At one job, a Christian coworker, who was married, very blatantly wanted to have an affair with me. She said she wanted to leave her husband who alternatively was a wonderful, strong Christian man yet also smelled bad, had bad grooming, he was getting too old, didn’t provide for her in the way she wanted, whatever. (In spite of the belief in the sanctity of marriage, a lot of the Christians I’ve worked with have been divorced, often more than once and some of the Christian women seem to be able to rationalize having affairs very easily, esp. if the target is a gay man.) A lesbian coworker who fit the above description was very tight with the Christian woman and began to try and persuade me (on her friend’s behalf) to return the advances of her Christian friend (who was a definite turn off especially with political and social views that were to the right of Hitler.) The lesbian began to toss all sorts of PC bull crap at me, that the gender shouldn’t matter, I should be attracted to the whole human race, and that if continued to choose a gay male lifestyle, it would lead to a lonely and isolated existence. She also informed me as to how increasingly difficult it was becoming for Christian women to find decent, clean cut, younger white guys and that if I had respect for women I would understand how important things like that were to them. Arrrrgh!
fonzymorris
Hi. This is a tricky subject, as we can all tell from reading the comments. I used to be a Christian, and had a vocation to the ministry. At the time (I’m almost 60), being gay was more of an issue than it is now in the Anglican Church to which I belonged. (Episcopal, for my friends in the U.S.) I left the church because I felt uncomfortable with the mixed messages I was getting – even though it was common knowledge that many of the clergy were gay. Or gay-ish! Now that I’ve mellowed, and gotten over most of my personal anger, I can see how sincerely believing Christian gay people might want to raise their children in their faith, and I’m okay with that. I know several people who are able to reconcile their Christian faith with very open and relaxed gay lives – and I completely respect them for that, even though it’s not my choice. POINT IS!….. if you want to be accepted for who you are, then please, think about others with the same generosity of spirit. I hope these men find a place in a Christian academy for their kids, if that’s what they want. Their children can make up their own minds, just as I did. Let’s ease up on the condemnation, okay? It’s always a bad attitude to strike, esp. towards your own brethren! By the way, the dishonest, mealy-mouthed Davidson Academy deserves the bad press they’re about to receive. “Amen”
onthemark
@rcblue73: Wow, that’s one of the funniest stories I’ve ever read on Queerty – pretty creepy though. How did you escape?
rcblue73
@onthemark: The company ultimately fired me. I found out much later that the company game plan was for the Christian lady to convert and cure me. The owner of the company is extremely wealthy and very tight with the top U.S. Republicans and has quite a deal of influence. Ended up being blacklisted and what was left of my career destroyed. Hysterically funny.
onthemark
@rcblue73: Sorry! – I kind of expected a more, um, harmless ending to that story. That truly is creepy.
rcblue73
@onthemark: Around the same time I was fired and given 15 minutes to collect my belongings, vacate the premises or be arrested for trespassing, the lesbian mentioned in the story was given a nice promotion. So for her, there was a happy ending.
bookgirl1209
Well done, Brian.
You are far more “Christian’ than that school will ever hope to be.
jjenn
@Merv: what sound like ingnorant. I am Christian and i don’t hate gay people. They are people and it is not my place to judge, it is God’s. Not all christians believe they can judge others and as far as a school goes there are all kinds with all kinds of requirements why do we not ever hear about someone who was turned down for not being smart enough, not the sex or better yet not rich enough?
Mellow Yellow
I was very curious as to why these gentlemen would want their child raised with a religion that hates them (the institution itself appears to, even if individuals do not). Then I saw this…
“Sadly enough, an acquaintance called the school this morning and told them she had been through a divorce because she cheated and that she now lives with her three kids and her boyfriend. The administrator welcomed them with open arms and offered an appointment.”
and it all made sense.
nsv
Brian and Greg, please find a school for your children that will give them the respect and the education they deserve.
While this is obviously not true of every school everywhere, my experience in a Catholic school was not a positive one. All other aspects aside (and parts of it were horrific,) I attended a Catholic school for two years, and when I re-entered the public school system I was very nearly two years behind in my education. I spent my high school years trying to catch up. And religion in my school was taught in a way that my family did not fully approve of. It might be worthwhile to consider using school as an opportunity to educate your kids on the standard subjects, and family time and church time to educate your kids on religion.
Nycorawr
If you comment on their facebook page they will remove it within 30 seconds, I didn’t even have time to reload the page before this was removed and I was banned from posting.
http://i.imgur.com/Y7ratxJ.png
MegsJ
Tried to leave a message on their Facebook page and they blocked me immediately. Guess they are ashamed of the truth!
“This is a bigoted, self-righteous school! Refusing the child of gay parents by using the line ” We believe God has revealed Himself, His purposes, and His ways in the Bible, which is therefore absolute in its truth and authority over daily living.” So therefore, you must deny the children of divorced parents and you also believe in slavery but I will bet you do neither! Get off your soapbox and open your eyes to the REAL world! Thank goodness I changed my mind about moving to Tennessee! You are a disgrace!”
HappyMom
Before I comment- let me say two things: I am a Christian. And I 100% fully support the LGBT community and believe that God supports the LGBT community. It makes me so sad that the hateful people who call themselves Christian have colored your impression of Christianity and what the Bible says and who Jesus really is. Because let me tell you that Jesus loves you exactly how you are because He made you to be who you are!!
This school is 100% wrong. They are misrepresenting the Christian faith and it’s absolutely disgusting to me that they think they can represent Jesus with hate and rejection.
I respect if you are not religious but please do not blanket all Christians with the labels of hate and bigotry that these so called Christians have projected. There are plenty of people like me who LOVE and support all LGBTs and am just waiting for the rest of the Christians to catch up to the message that God is LOVE not hate.
tina1985
The parents are better off. There is so much wrong with the world and certain “Christians” have put so much belief into what they think the bible says. Each person sees the same scripture and interprets it differently and it completely distorts the words. God is love. We are taught to love one another as Christ loved the church. These so called Christians are so caught up in what they think is right that they can’t see beyond what they call sin. We all sin. So who are we to judge what is right or wrong in the sight of God.
thepromom
I’m a catholic. I’m a heterosexual woman married for 23 years, 4 kids. If my kids were going to that private school and I heard what was going on, they would be moving schools and the administration would know why. Mind you, if I’d read the mandate they wouldn’t be going there in the first place! While I think everyone has a right to their own opinions, I do not believe that those “opinions” should be allowed to impact on the quality of life for others. In 1960 that mandate would have likely included divorcees, African American’s or anyone of any other ethnicity. TRUE Christianity is NOT about imposing old testament doctrine on others. Christianity is supposed to be about following Christ’s teaching. The old testament shouldn’t even exist for Christians. It is a series of parables written by men (and only men) over hundreds of years. Most stories are a mish mash of retold vocal legends. While entertaining, should not be used as a life model! If we did we’d be stoning people to death or chopping hands off of thieves. Jesus preached love one another as I have loved you. He called this the Golden Rule. How easily contemporary “Christian’s” use to bible to fit their own agenda. It sickens me. They pervert everything Jesus tried to teach us into moralistic dogma that Jesus never said. In any of the gospels NEVER does Jesus say anything about homosexuality. He takes a prostitute as one of his followers, forgives thieves and murderers. He preaches love and acceptance. How easily all of that is lost or overlooked because if we accept and love we can not disparage against people who live as we think they should not, it’s *gross*. These peoples are not true Christians.
Dani
Most people suck!!! But some don’t. Keep doing what makes you and yours happy. I am sorry for the disrespect some have, and it isn’t discrimination honey, it’s blatant disrespect for human beings. My email isn’t to apologize for an entire population of ignorant asshole casseroles, it is to tell you there are a lot of us out here, on your side. On love’s side. I understand that you are of Christian faith and I mean no disrespect to you when I say this but, most people in religious charge lack the compassion that even I, as an Atheist believe to be the sole meaning of the good book itself. I read the book as a child and took it as fables, nonetheless , valuable life lessons. You would think some one that is of good Christian faith, runs a school to educate young children on our “golden rules” of life would know RULE 1…..LOVE THY NEIGHBOR!!!! No where in the commandments does it say persecute anyone that doesn’t believe what you do. No where in the bible does it say you get a special place in heaven for turning away people of faith. I would rather put my children in the poorest school where they actually learn to get along and love each other than a hypocritical mess of an institution you attempted to put your preciouses in. I am going to apologize for this to….Fuck them!! (You know you said it yourself). Sorry for the rant but your blog really pissed me off. I wish you and your family the best of luck!
Dani
Dani
Outstanding comment
Kelly S
That’s right thepromom!
Hi Kelly S heterosexual Catholic raised married 30 years mother of two. I SUPPORT GAY RIGHTS!
Gentlemen, as one of you is a minister I know YOU have read the Bible once or twice.
Sure there were aspects of being educated Catholic that taught me the meaning of the words hypocrisy
And misogyny- true. There were also deeply spiritual Franciscan nuns who taught me compassion and civil disobedience.
And TM too. And meditation. But I had a fierce Jesuit priest or two who drummed the concept of Jesus Christ as a Man and Godhead itself that allowed no mere human nor group of humans to use twisted dogma to excuse anyone acting against their conscience!
There IS a LIBERAL CHRISTIAN LEFT!! We read the parables about Jesus running with tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers and the starving. This school needs the hypocrites run out of there like Jesus clearing a temple! I applaud the amount of restraint and class
you have shown. You don’t sound like papists- and frankly most American Catholics aren’t into that infallibility business either- but we have a new improved and courageous POPE in the Vatican that is a bit more progressive than the last 20 or so.
Have you tried the Catholics lately? I know- having branched out a bit myself the Unitarian Universalists would lay out a red carpet for you. People- people- please do NOT assume the backward thinking, bigoted women hating extremists speak for ALL Christians- please! Their Bible is incomplete- they are missing the New Testament- the work of the enlightened Rebel Jesus!
And my experiences of Episcopal ministers and Lutherans have been good too. The philosophy of Christ IS NOT HATRED zenophobia and a lack of caring for others! Guys, you did the right thing- the correct Christian response is to ” Pray for them they know not what they do”. Your family looks beautiful! Hey- have you considered hearing the calling, filling the gap and starting your own church and school? The LIBERALS really need to take our savior BACK from these people- or at least explain HIM a whole lot better and louder so they get the parts of the Bible they obviously forgot to read- for it is written even the Devil can and will quote scripture-
And attain tax free status schools for the indoctrination of their children too apparently.
ArNoodles
HappyMom, thepromom and Kelly S, thank you for posting. It is so refreshing to read comments from true Christians who actually UNDERSTAND the teachings of the Bible. While I am not a Christian, I agree 100% with the messages about love, tolerance and respect that it contains. Whenever I think of religion, any religion, I see its true followers as people like you. Each of you is a credit to humanity, society, your faith and most importantly your family. The world is a better place because of you and those like you. Anyone who says otherwise is mistaken, especially those that cite religious grounds to criticise.
DevaAshera
@jwtraveler: To be honest, the issue is not with Christianity itself, but ignorant people who claim to be such or use said beliefs as reasons to hate.
The issue at hand is that people take everything in the Bible as ‘fact’ but the problem with that is that it was originally Oral Tradition, meaning it was never written down but shared Orally, with the likelihood of each teller adding or subtracting something from the narrative or forgetting or misremembering something.
Then there’s the fact that the Middle Ages were corrupt as Hell, with Church Leaders using their power to try and push their own beliefs or agendas.
As such, I choose to be a Christian, but my belief is that if something does fall in-line with God and Jesus’ message of love and tolerance, then it was likely fabricated and thus should be ignored.
Taffy
@Cam: Oh, come on. An acquaintance called this school (any school!) to set up an appointment and “mentioned” she had cheated on her husband and was living with her boyfriend? This would be taking TMI to new and lofty levels… I’m assuming the rest of the story is true, so why add this obviously fake tidbit?
Jack-wrench
One should note that the Christian meme-force has much good, not the least of which how it supplanted the Roman penchant for murdering one of every ten natives when it transformed Rome into the Holy Roman Empire. (Based on supposition.) It’s still deeply aggressive and borg-like in its attempt to convert (assimilate?) anything it meets. Neh, still better than killing one in ten.
I’d much rather have you try to convert me than conquer me.
To conquer than kill. Some people, it must be noted, still kill people who disbelieve.
So, Christianity is hardly the worst force in the world today. It may be that Christianity has not corrupted these people, but sublimated their impulses from a far darker version they would have had. They might be lynching rather than shaming, were it not for Jesus’s organization, is what I’m saying.
These men can’t be the only ones who want to have a ‘Christian’ upbringing that is friendly to them. If they can’t find it, they surely should build it. I wish them the best of luck.
deanna.r
If you go to their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/DavidsonAcademy), you will find that people making comments are having them instantly deleted. Click on the 3 dots to the right of “message” and follow the prompts as to why you think the page should be taken down because it violates Facebook’s policies on gender orientation discrimination.
deanna.r
@IvanPH: If you go to their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/DavidsonAcademy), you will find that people making comments are having them instantly deleted. Click on the 3 dots to the right of “message” and follow the prompts as to why you think the page should be taken down.