New sexuality curriculum authorized
Parker T. Williamson, The Layman, June 26, 2008
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) directed its General Assembly Council on Wednesday to produce a new curriculum that will “explore all facets of adolescent development, including human sexuality.”
The proposal drew fire from several commissioners and advisory delegates who remembered an earlier curriculum published by the denomination that encouraged premarital and homosexual behavior.
Youth Advisory Delegate Grace Iglehart said “this proposal is very, very vague.” Without specific directions from the Assembly, she argued, curriculum writers could go anywhere.
“Anything that says ‘PCUSA’ on it should teach exactly what we want it to teach,” she said.
But Commissioner Nancy Drake said, “We can be certain about one thing, that our children will get a sex education.” She said it is important that they get it not only from secular sources, but from the church as well.
In response to concerns that denominational offices might include un-Biblical and offensive teachings, Drake predicted that the curriculum would embrace several points of view. “Churches will be able to choose from the curriculum the parts that are compatible with where they are,” she said.
Two amendments were attempted, each of which sought to insert language requiring curriculum writers to affirm that sexual behavior is to be limited to marriage between a man and a woman.
Theological Advisory Delegate Sarah Montgomery, a student at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, responded to the amendment that called for heterosexual monogamy. “This amendment suffocates us,” she said.
Youth Advisory Delegate Nora Weston addressed the second amendment, which called for a Biblically faithful curriculum. “Scripture will be a large part of this, but not all of it. There are lots of gaps in Scripture,” she said. She noted that the Bible says nothing about contraceptives and that “sex is different today than it was back then.”
Both amendments were defeated handily by 70 to 80 percent majorities. Then the Assembly voted on the curriculum itself, approving its publication by a 73 percent majority.