Keeping Secrets

The Lord calls us to exhibit characteristics that are consistent with His presence within us, and Colossians 3 offers a look at how we are to behave in Christ; we can read these words in that chapter:
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

This passage calls attention to the distinction between what is termed the "old man," the person who has been buried with Christ, and the "new man," who has been raised up with Him. We are not called to act like the world, but to draw a contrast to it.  Our decisions should be based on our adherence to Scripture, making sure that we are people who can be trusted, who tell the truth, and live out the truth of God's Word in our daily interactions. 

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We can remember that we represent our God wherever we are, including in the workplace. We can strive to reflect Him and to be trustworthy and diligent. 1st Corinthians 4 states:
1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4 For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

Two California teachers have been required to keep devastating secrets by their employers, secrets about students that their parents really need to know.  And, they have made the difficult decision to file legal action against their school district.

The story is out of California - and when you hear it, you might ask, "where else?"  Right?  But, California is not the only bastion of the harmful LGBTQ+ agenda.  So, here's the story from Focus on the Family's The Daily Citizen:

Elizabeth Mirabelli and Lori Ann West, teachers at Rincon Middle School, are suing the Escondido Unified School District (EUSD) and the California State Board of Education “over policies requiring them to keep secrets from, and even lie to, parents about their minor-age students,” reports the Thomas More Society, which filed the lawsuit on their behalf.

The teachers allege that state and district transgender policies force them to participate in “social transitioning” of students through accepting a child’s chosen “gender identity,” use the student’s “preferred pronouns,” and hide this information from parents.

But, as the article points out, the school district is attempting to comply with state law. It states:

AB 1266 amended the state’s Education Code, prohibiting “discrimination for all students, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression” and allowing students to participate in sports and use restrooms, locker rooms and showers based on their “gender identity.”

Guidance from the state’s DOE tells schools and districts to implement policies that hide information from parents about their “transgender students,” citing federal law and a minor’s “right to privacy.”

Teachers were told that they could not share this personal information with a student's parents without the students consent - the district said that "...revealing a student’s transgender status or gender diverse status to individuals who do not have a legitimate need for the information without the students consent, and this includes parents or caretakers, we need that student’s consent prior to sharing." The Daily Citizen reports:

Mirabelli and West asked for a religious accommodation from the school, so they wouldn’t have to hide information, lie to parents or use students’ “preferred pronouns.” Their requests were denied by the district. West’s letter to the district says:

I am a Christian. As such, I adhere to biblical principles regarding the binary nature of men and women. I have the religious belief that God created 2 sexes: male and female. God created us in his image. … Genetics, Biology and DNA also say that there are only 2 sexes.

I also have the religious belief that the relationship between parents and children was created by God with the intent for the parents to raise and guide their children. …

I also believe that God forbids me from lying. I believe that E.U.S.D. is asking employees to check their religious beliefs at the door.

Of course, their request was denied.  The teachers have the receipts of the school district's plan to promote the gay agenda; the article notes:

The lawsuit includes forms, memoranda, presentations, letters and policies from EUSD forcing teachers to hide information about a student’s “gender identity” from parents and requiring teachers to use students’ “preferred pronouns and name.”

It also documents all manner of LGBT paraphernalia, posters, and banners around the middle school, along with “Pride Flags” handed to students, pushing this gender dogma on students.

Here we have more examples where teachers, attempting to do their jobs, who are being swept up in cultural warfare.  It should not be this way, certainly, but the moral challenges are making it more difficult for them to do their jobs - to teach what they are supposed to teach without the unfortunate ideology that has found Christian teachers at odds with their employers.

These two ladies obviously would like to continue to teach and hopefully train their students to think, to acquire and improve basic skills, and to be a strong Christian influence in the classroom. Their plight is a reminder and challenge to all of us to make sure that, in our workplaces, that we are living a good Christian example.  

We may face moral dilemmas and critical decisions on a regular, perhaps even a daily basis, in the workplace.  These teachers are struggling to do the right thing and tell the truth.  We can realize that we are accountable to our employers and ultimately to God.  So, we should always be devoted to being trustworthy, making sure we give an honest account of the work we do.  We are called to work diligently and to do a full day's work - with excellence, because we serve a God who calls us to that standard.