Easier for students to come out as gay than Christian, Northern Irish Evangelical group says

November 12, 2024

A representative of the Evangelical Alliance for Northern Ireland has told the Education Committee that it’s more difficult for some students “to come out as an Evangelical Christian in school than to come out as LGBT.”

The Christian Post reports that Dave Smyth’s comments came as part of a legislative discussion on Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in Northern Ireland.

Smyth clarified that his comments did not reflect a confrontation between religion and RSE, telling the BCC, “We’re not looking to fight a culture war where children are the casualties.”

He spoke of the need to find common ground between Christians and non-Christians regarding the teaching of healthy relationships, consent and preventing violence against women and girls.

Some of the specific concerns that have been raised concerning RSE include “age-inappropriate material being taught in RSE on issues like sexual practices which may be dangerous or even illegal, like chocking or chem [drugs] sex.” as well as, “scientifically inaccurate content which confuses and conflates biological sex with gender identity.”

According to the Christian Post, Smyth also expressed concerns that the Christian perspective is becoming marginalized in school environments.

During questioning, a committee chair asked Smyth if he believed teachers were actively trying to “effectively change children’s minds to push an agenda of some sort.”

Smyth said that his concerns were rooted in ensuring that sensitive subjects like abortion and sexual identity are taught in ways that don’t subject students to ideological pressures.

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