>(sent to me by a couple different friends)
>
>===========================================
>
>I was holding a notice from  my 13-year-old son's school announcing a
>meeting to preview the new course in sexuality. Parents could examine
>the curriculum and take part in an actual lesson presented exactly as
>it would be given to he students.
>
>When I arrived at the school, I was surprised to discover only about a
>dozen parents there.  As we waited for the presentation, I thumbed
>through page after page of instructions in the prevention of pregnancy
>or disease.  I found abstinence mentioned only in passing.  When the
>teacher arrived with the school nurse, she asked if there were any
>questions.
> 
>I asked why abstinence did not play a noticeable part in the material.
>
>What happened next was shocking. There was a great deal of laughter,
>and someone suggested that if I thought abstinence had any merit, I
>should go back to burying my head in the sand.
>
>The teacher and the nurse said nothing as I drowned in a sea of
>embarrassment.  My mind had gone blank, and I could think of nothing
>to say. The teacher explained to me that the job of the school was to
>teach "facts," and the home was responsible for moral training.
>
>I sat in silence for the next 20 minutes as the course was explained.
>The other parents seemed to give their unqualified support to the
>materials.
> 
>"Donuts, at the back," announced the teacher during the break.
>
>"I'd like you to put on the name tags we have prepared-they're right
>by the donuts-and mingle with the other parents."
>
>Everyone moved to the back of the room.
>
>As I watched them affixing their name tags and shaking hands, I sat
>deep in thought.  I was ashamed that I had not been able to convince
>them to include a serious discussion of abstinence in the materials.
>I uttered a silent prayer for guidance.
>
>My thoughts were interrupted by the teacher's hand on my shoulder.
>
>"Won't you join the others, Mr. Layton?" The nurse smiled sweetly at
>me.  "The donuts are good."
>
>"Thank you, no," I replied.
>
>"Well, then, how about a name tag? I'm sure the others would like to
>meet you."
>
>"Somehow I doubt that," I replied.
>
>"Won't you please join them?" she coaxed.
>
>Then I heard a still, small voice whisper, "Don't go."
>The instruction was unmistakable.  "Don't go!"
>
>"I'll just wait here," I said.
>
>When the class was called back to order, the teacher looked around the
>long table and thanked everyone for putting on name tags.  She ignored
>me.
>
>Then she said, "Now we're going to give you the same lesson we'll be
>giving your children.  Everyone please peel off your name tags."  I
>watched in silence as the tags came off.
>
>"Now, then, on the back of one of the tags, I drew a tiny flower. Who
>has it, please?"
>
>The gentleman across from me held it up.
>
>"Here it is!"  "All right," she said.
>
>"The flower represents disease.  Do you recall with whom you shook
>hands?"
>
>He pointed to a couple of people.  "Very good," she replied.
>
>"The handshake in this case represents intimacy.  So the two people
>you had contact with now have the disease."
>
>There was laughter and joking among the parents.
>
>The teacher continued, "And whom did the two of You shake hands with?"
>
>The point was well taken, and she explained how this lesson would show
>students how quickly disease is spread.
>
>"Since we all shook hands, we all have the disease."
>
>It was then that I heard the still, small voice again. "Speak now, it
>said, "but be humble."
>
>I noted wryly the latter admonition, then rose from my chair.
> 
>I apologized for any upset I might have caused earlier, congratulated
>the teacher on an excellent lesson that would impress the youth, and
>concluded by saying I had only one small point I wished to make.
>
>"Not all of us were infected," I said.  "One of us ... abstained."
>
>"What About Abstinence?
>by ROBERT LAYTON
>Condensed From Ensign
>
>

Jeff and Belinda Smith - WilderLands Hold        <><    
Beaverton, OR     <http://www.teleport.com/~thehold>
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