Chris Stroop, Ph.D., began a viral hashtag on Twitter calling it #ExposeChristianSchools. Beginning on January 18, it was protesting news that Vice President Mike Pence’s wife, Karen, will be teaching at a private Christian school.
Chris’ objection to Karen Pence teaching at the private school in Northern Virginia is that, “homosexual and lesbian activity,” is prohibited for employment.
Calling himself an “ex-evangelical,” Chris grew up in Christian schools from first grade through high school. According to him, the Christian schools he attended demeaned the LGBT community while discouraging women’s empowerment, which are sensitive issues he stands for.
Chris, a writer and activist, said, “Not everything about it was bad. I had teachers I liked who encouraged me academically. But I don’t think education as indoctrination is right.”
#ExposeChristianSchools
When the Covington Catholic High School controversy broke soon after the March for Life in Washington, DC, Chris’ hashtag had more fuel in its fire. The mainstream media was at first spinning the story maligning the teenagers before backtracking. But #ExposeChristianSchools hashtag began showing many other people’s hurts and pains.
One person tweeted, “Being gay & out was a reason for expulsion. It didn’t stop the LGBTQ kids from being who they were. It just made them feel like closeted, shameful, fearful sinners. Sounds real Christ-like, right?”
Another said, “Senior year Chastity Day a former Playboy model came in and talked to the girls about how if we have sex with boys before marriage, its like giving them a used baseball bat on our wedding night. Boys had a dance party #ExposeChristianSchools. And I never had sex education or physical education in my life.”
However, a voice of reason tweeted, “Most of us don’t really care who disagrees with us, because we knew before we started talking we would be demonized. We only want to be heard. We want meaningful, thoughtful change. And it starts with not giving churches everywhere a free pass.”
What You Can Learn
In the United States we can choose what model and form of education our kids are receiving. People learn in multiple ways. Despite Chris Stroop’s protest, Karen Pence can choose to apply for work where she wants, just like he decides. But his hashtag has exposed pain needing healing in many people’s lives.
It is sad that there are churches and schools lacking accountability or proper protocols. Legalism may be abounding, and unfortunately abuse can happen. But these things also happen in public schools as well. Indoctrination of liberal views is taking place as Christian parents send their kids to the public education system. And denominational preferences and indoctrination is taking place in Christian private schools as non-Christian parents send their children there. All colleges, no matter how much they try to stay neutral, have a direction it is leaning towards. You can figure it out by reading the articles and publications from its professors and staff.
As a parent or guardian, you need to do your research first. Inform yourself about the places and options you are considering, interviewing people, attending classes more than once. Talk to the parents, students and others before making your decision. And if you’re a potential college student, you are responsible to study your many choices before attending classes. If you don’t like it, you can choose to go elsewhere. Every school has a culture they want incorporated into you, in both public and private education. And you have the right to make the best decisions for you.
What the Church Can Learn
The Church should be not be lashing out quickly on this. Nor should we be demonizing the truly hurting persons. Instead, let’s prayerfully listen first. Where apologies are needed, apologize. Where restitution is needed, then resolve it. Dialogue where needed, asking for forgiveness. The Church can correct itself to be a more loving and brighter light to the world.
No matter Chris Stroop’s original intentions, I personally think this hashtag may be a cry for help from the world to the Church. It can morph into something more evil, vindictive or anti-Christ. But currently these people are asking for loving discussion and resolution. And these ministries can inform others why they believe and practice their faith in specific ways, discussing their business practices. However, it can help them become better organizations as well.
Biblical Truth Shedding Light
This may be a call for us to be a better community interacting with everyone. Not only will Christian schools be exposed when they should be transparent anyways, but public schools will be as well. But currently, we need to be addressing the issues being raised in the #ExposeChristianSchools. And maybe, we need to clean house. Let’s start correcting ourselves, Church. If we don’t, know that God will. 1 Peter 4:16-17 says, “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household. And if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
Also, as a teacher, you have greater responsibility. James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more severely than others.” In Biblical context, this is saying that by God’s justice He will pronounce condemnation with the teacher bearing the force, suffering punishment. Thus, we don’t need a hashtag exposing us, because ultimately the Spirit of God will.
