I was home-educated, and I wish every student could have what I had: an education which emphasized academic ability and a search for the truth about the world. I was taught history, politics, and science from the perspective of the Bible – the source of ultimate truth. While more Minnesotans than ever are homeschooling or intentionally sending their kids to good schools, not all children have this advantage. In fact, many kids are receiving an education void of any academic excellence in favor of radical ideology. It’s a troubling trend. Radical teachers and teachers’ unions are sacrificing the interests of children and parents. We only have to look at the headlines to see this in action.
Headline 1: This Year’s MEA Workshops Bombard Teachers with LGBTQ Agenda. There is no more potent example of teacher radicalism than in the event topics at the teacher’s union MEA workshop. One exhibition includes training in “LGBTQ advocacy and support” for teachers. Another workshop promotes “Creating Gender Inclusivity Through Language, Curriculum and Sharing Stories.” These seminars are nothing more than propaganda. It says a lot both about the unions organizing these trainings, and the teachers attending them, who will return from MEA Weekend ready for LGBTQ indoctrination in the classroom. Children deserve better than what these radicalized teachers will provide.
Headline 2: Radical Union Requires White Teachers be Laid off First. The work of radicalization has extended beyond the classroom into the workforce itself. In August, the Minneapolis teacher’s union proposed laying off white teachers first in an attempt to “remedy the continuing effects of past discrimination.”
We live in a world full of bad news, both personal or public. This bad news, whether you like it or not, impacts how you treat yourself and others. This leads many into depression, wondering why the world is so gray and lifeless. It certainly has for me. But by the grace of God, I’m finding my way out. I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and there is a purpose for my time on Earth.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the same outlook as I do. For so many lonely people out there, the only answer for their deep depression is something that seems to make the pain stop, at least for a while – namely the misuse of powerful pain medications.
The misuse of opioid painkillers is not a new thing. In fact, the 1990s was the first time we saw a real increase in the use of these drugs for “recreational” purposes. Since that time, national overdose death rates have grown to over 107,000 per year, including more than 1,200 in Minnesota. Each of those deaths hides 5, 10, or even 20 close family members and friends whose lives will never be the same because of the death of their loved one. These numbers are tragic for everyone involved. Sadly, Minneapolis is a hotspot for these overdoses especially in recent years.
Pew Research recently released a report on an accelerating trend in the U.S. — adults who were raised in Christian homes and who formerly described themselves as Christian leaving the Christian faith and joining the growing number of religious “nones.” According to Pew, nearly a third of those raised Christian describe themselves as “nothing in particular” as adults. This trend is expected to continue in the next few decades. Combined with a decrease in “transference” — that is, children who were raised in Christian homes becoming Christians themselves — Pew’s research team predicts that between 2050 and 2070, the majority of Americans will not describe themselves as Christians.
This trend is sobering because it shows that a growing number of people are living their lives without the hope of the gospel. While some of the decline in Christianity in the U.S. is likely due to a shift in cultural attitudes toward Christianity leading to fewer people describing themselves as Christians without holding strong convictions, the rise of “deconstruction” has seen a not insignificant numberof young people who once expressed zeal for their faith now rejecting Christianity.
Pew’s prediction is that this shift won’t see its full effectuntil 30 to 50 years from now. However, their research and research from other groups show that America’s teens and young adults are already experiencing this shift. Atheism is more widespreadamong Generation Z than any previous generation in the U.S. Just over half of America’s teenagers are Christians, and a little less than half of adults in their 20s.
As you know, both pro-life and pro-abortion voters are extremely invested in the life issue, and in the outcome of this fall’s election. That makes it more important than ever to address this sensitive issue with truth and compassion, communicating your position respectfully and clearly to voters on all sides of this issue.
Every candidate should remember that pro-life Minnesotans make up a large portion of the electorate in every district. They want to see and hear your clear leadership on the life issue. Many of them will be dismayed if you ignore the abortion issue rather than clearly and respectfully communicating your position, and could even decide to stay home in November.
Remember, the best recent polls (here and here) indicate that a supermajority of Minnesotans do NOT support Minnesota’s current extreme abortion laws permitting abortion any time for any reason up to the moment of birth. Fully 68.2% of Minnesotans support at least limits on abortion if not an outright ban in most cases (41.4%). Only 30.1% of Minnesotans want abortion to be legal without any limitations. And yet, almost no pro-abortion candidates in Minnesota support any limitations on abortion, making theirs the real extreme position.
