True Diversity?

A first hand account of a chaplain working in the secondary state sector.

All students in the classroom are valued. Their views are important and their voices should be equally heard. Whether cold calling or following a ‘hands up’ approach, no teacher would be looked upon favourably if they only checked in on or listened to a select group of students. Claims of favouritism don’t go down well in schools. Yet on an ideological level, in many schools today there are certain voices that are heard more than others. Certain views are given more amplification by the official line of the school. Certain ideas dominate. Those who disagree are not called upon but left with their hands in the air.

Freedom of Speech, but who is heard?

When diversity week at the school I work in featured a LGBT group presenting one perspective on gender, sexuality and relationships, I felt like it was time to cough a few times, offer a couple of ‘ahems’ and keep my hand up, maybe even wave it like a year 7 trying to get the teacher’s attention. It worked. I simply started by raising issue with a poorly constructed resource  on the matter, pointing out its ambiguity and controversial stance on gender and sexuality. Later, I met with leaders and discussed the need to balance current thinking on these topics with a rounded selection of viewpoints. I was told that ‘all beliefs are valued’ and that the school was not promoting one view over the other. My challenge back was that if you tell three kids that all their views are valid but only ask one of them to speak, then equality is equality in theory alone.

Raising Concerns

I wanted to discuss the issue openly, but fear of controversy stifled open discussion. One of the hurdles to such discussion can be staff who have opposing views, especially if they are Christians. I was told by school leadership that others disagree with me on my interpretation of Jesus’ teaching on marriage, though no-one had discussed this with me. In the name of diversity, I asked if I could invite speakers in who came from a different perspective to the strong progressive gender ideology bias, arguing that true diversity would call for balance and well… diversity.

 I agreed with their view that this could cause bad press for the school. But by asking this question, the uneven voice given to certain views was made manifest and recognised- an approach I believe is taken in many schools under the ‘banner’ of diversity. It is in practice anything but diverse. Inclusion includes a very small circle and if your beliefs are contained inside this circle then you are included. If they are outside the circle then you are not included. So much for the meaning of the word inclusive.

The words diversity, inclusion and tolerance often mean their polar opposite. They have become euphemisms. As Christians in secular schools we should challenge schools to practice true diversity, open inclusion and wider tolerance. The fact that these words need modifiers shows how easily discrimination can dress up as virtue.

The best way forward

Fortunately, in my context there have been leaders who listen, and I’ve found a respectful but clear approach to the issues has been somewhat successful. Challenging the school to represent a true diversity was key. I found that writing emails to school leaders was not as successful as booking in meetings, discussing specifics and examining them with a positive attitude – meeting with those who are opposed to Biblical views for open discussions and registering appropriate and respectful dissent.

Asking questions like ‘how can we balance the rights of all characteristics protected in the Equality Act (including faith and philosophical belief)?’ have helped others on their journey to see schools cannot push one view on gender and sexuality. Others are still myopic.

I told the school it was a hill I’m willing to die on. The freedom to speak openly and clearly about the teaching of the Bible was something that I would be willing to risk my job for and I let them know that from the start.

For anyone interested in challenging the content or prevalence of modern gender ideology in schools I encourage you to read the Equality Act and look at the Forstater ruling on ‘philosophical belief’. The ruling states that gender critical beliefs are ‘worthy of respect’ in a democratic society. There is a legitimate pastoral concern of course that gender critical beliefs are communicated in a loving and respectful way.

Taking it further

At each step I have prayed and waited and tried to be patient and yet tried to be responsive and to know when ‘enough is enough’. This approach will inevitably end up in hot water, though sometimes its Christians that need to, in wisdom, carefully turn up the heat. After initial discussions I raised several further concerns, some of these were raised with the MAT, but ultimately nothing changed.

When I saw the impact of the diversity workshop, I knew I needed to raise a formal complaint. I did this in writing and would encourage others who feel the same way to do the same when you discern the right timing and wording. I have also raised safeguarding concerns around maintaining single sex facilities. I did this by first raising a verbal concern, then via email, then discussing in person and finally after seeing no movement or ultimate response in written form. By that time it was understood and not out of the blue.

Ultimate allegiance

It is my hope that more Christians will feel empowered to openly share any concerns. I hope that we see ourselves as people who not only are allowed to speak but called and empowered to speak up on how we are made in God’s image and how we should understand gender and sexuality. We are a critical friend to the state and this generation deserves to hear God’s voice and the Biblical testimony regarding gender and sexuality. We should not be deterred by making ourselves unpopular, much as Jesus didn’t make popularity a goal. Nor should we offend for offences sake. There are many watching our witness and speaking the truth in love is the Christian virtue of the moment if we are to win hearts to Christ and help influence society for good.