I think Rhode Island has made the right move on a faith-based abstinence program. More from The Westerly Sun:
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island education officials have banned from public schools a federally funded abstinence program that civil rights advocates said embraced sexist stereotypes and included a voluntary student health survey that violated privacy laws.
Lawyers at the Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union first complained last year that a now-abandoned textbook used by Heritage of Rhode Island taught students that girls should wear clothing that doesn’t invite “lustful thoughts” from boys. The book described men as “strong” and “courageous” while women were called “caring.”
A speaker on an accompanying videotape said abstinence helped him “honor my relationship with Jesus,” although Heritage officials said the tape wasn’t used in public schools.
But hey, they stopped teaching this stuff over a year ago. So what’s the big deal?
Authorities at the private health education firm said they stopped using the disputed materials a year ago.
“The issues they’re asking about are old, dead stuff,” said Chris Plante, executive director of Heritage of Rhode Island. He said he plans to meet this spring with state education officials to work out a mutually acceptable curriculum.
Sure, let’s move on Chris…but why in the hell did you attempt to pawn this religious stuff off on children in the first place? Didn’t you realize that people would see through the thinly veil as they always do? I mean…come on. And so people, this is where faith-based funding actually breaks down in most cases. Personally, I think it should probably be phased out in favor of private organizations which have absolutely no affiliation with the church, with the only funding for churches going to disaster relief work.
Now, if the money spigot gets shut off that will most likely mean that kids probably won’t be taught abstinence. Well, I don’t really consider that a big loss honestly. Why? Because proper sexual education teaches protection. Abstinence educations teaches…well…abstaining. But just in case you’re a fan of abstinence, these statistics about STD transmission may change your mind.