State of Formation – Boo and the Big Bad Bully
It is interesting how the blogosphere works sometimes. I came across the original post My son is gay | Nerdy Apple well over a year ago. I fell in love with the picture, as did many others. Take a quick look and then tell me how anyone can find it offensive. It is one of my favorite Halloween photos of all time. As it so happens, that post and picture is how I discovered Nerdy Apple in the first place, as did many others.
Yes, a small preschool boy wanting to dress up as a female cartoon character caused enough havoc to gain national attention. Apparently a few other mothers did not like the fact that Nerdy Apple allowed Boo to dress up as Daphne from the Scooby Doo cartoons. If the descriptions are correct, Boo and Nerdy Apple were both eventually bullied.
Are we as a society really that immature? I just do not understand how anyone could justify the treatment claimed by Nerdy Apple, especially if those involved claim to be Christians, as is the case here. For the record, I have to state that I understand the predicament Nerdy Apple describes in the blog post. She didn’t want to disappoint Boo, but also understood all too well the issues the costume would cause. It may seem obvious and possibly cliché, but this is exactly why I have serious issues with organized religion.
So why am I just bringing this up now? Well, as I took a few minutes to explore Nerdy Apple’s new layout, etc., I noticed the original post that drew me in in the first place. I also noticed a post describing the rest of the story. It is an amazing look into bullying, religious bigotry, ostracism, and outright homophobia. Eventually the Pastor of the church involved asked Nerdy Apple to apologize to the mothers she “offended.” It even the reached the point where Nerdy Apple and family decided to leave the church. What I don’t understand is how she offended anyone as she names no names in the original blog post. She simply focuses on bullying, acceptance, all with an underlying message of understanding and love. I doubt I will ever understand this.
My biggest question is this: How am I ever to reconcile a church encouraging homophobia with Christian teaching? Even as a straight woman, I can’t do it. Even as a woman who believes in the sanctity of marriage, I can’t do it. On a personal note, I grew attending a church I thought to be welcoming of everyone. My eyes were opened when I realized just how homophobic some of the more prominent members of the church were. Despite my personal preferences and beliefs, or maybe as a result of them, I can’t bring myself to belong to a church so willing to judge blindly. I suppose I naively thought it was faith that matters most. Must middle-school drama play itself out among adults in a church setting? Really.
Image via Wikipedia
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- A New Nerdy is in town: (nerdyapple.com)
this post is sad but true.. however the way a church (building) treats a person should not and does not represent what it means to be a CHRISTIAN! that’s what so many non-believers and even BELIEVERS get so wrong these days!!! as Christians, we should NOT judge but instead share Love and Respect and Kindness to ALL! and Christ showed us.. so, these people who judge this family and make them want to leave the church (building) SHAME ON YOU! as for the family.. Love that boy, encourage him to be who God wants him to be.. and don’t think you should have to leave somewhere cause of OTHERS issues!!!! THEIR PROBLEM, NOT YOURS!! However, i do think it be better you surround yourselves by others who Love you for who you are!!! (not ones that encourage homosexuality, but not ones that will shun you for it either) Love is the Answer to all things!!!
Tanya, I largely agree with you. Unfortunately the family felt they HAD to leave. They no longer felt comfortable in the church. I can understand completely. I can’t imagine facing that type of bullying – and I truly believe that is the operative word here – coming from a church.
What angers me most is the message that little boy got from the entire incident. It isn’t OK to be himself.
Lindsey