14 saved during Vacation Bible School

[SoutherDem]

That is what the marque said at the local Community Church.

This Vacation Bible School was for pre-teen youth, age 3 to grade 6.

I know they are excited about this and have no problem with them telling the community.

My question is this;

If a 16 year old comes out as gay many will say they are too young to make that type of decision*.

If a 10 year old gets saved no one questions how someone that young can make such a decision.

*I personally do not think sexual orientation is a decision but won't argue that point for this discussion.

[chemp]

1. I declared myself agnostic at age ten

and took ten years to acknowledge that I was an Atheist.

Joining your peers is much easier to do than breaking with them. In a room filled with the born again, refusing to do what your friends have done makes you a much stronger person. That is why I respect a teenager who reveals him (her)self as gay much more. It is a more difficult decision.

[msongs]

2. 12 saved when parents remove kids from vacation bible school lol nt

[Generic Other]

3. I once taught Vacation Bible School

I decided as an experiment not to mention God or anything religious. I took kids to the nearby park to observe nature, roast hotdogs, and do art projects. I loved doing art projects.

Anyway, no one noticed, and they asked me back again, but I thought it would be hypocritical to do so since I wasn't willing to teach religion. I guess I saved all my charges.

[cbayer]

4. Who cares? Kids try on all kinds of identities and have the right to change

their minds any time in the future.

Lots of kids will declare themselves bisexual. Lots of kids will voice their devotion to Ayn Rand. Some will identify as anarchists.

As long as they harm no one else, what does it really matter what they identify with?

[SoutherDem]

5. You are right. Kids do try on many different identities

and those may change. But, I actually am not focusing on the kids or if these are decisions which they will keep for life. I am focusing on the adults. Specifically why is it one decision is dismissed because they are too young but another is not only accepted but celebrated.
I don't have any issue in the parents of those children celebrating their kids decision to follow their religion. Being raised in a Christian family I have seen this expressed many, many times. I have seen kids as young a 6 years old becoming a Christian and no one questions their cognitive ability to understand this decision.
What I am inquiring about is why the same consideration is not given to a young adult for also stating their "decision" (once again I do not feel this is a decision but an orientation) that they are gay? Why can a 6 year old make a major decision yet a 16 year old can't?
I am wondering why is there are two standards?

By the way Cbayer, we have had many good discussions and was hoping you would reply. Your final comment in your reply I really like, "As long as they harm no one else, what does it really matter what they identify with" which is I guess may be underpinning my question. I have more I could add to the subject but will stop for now.

[cbayer]

6. I agree with you SoutherDem. I think that glbt kids need to be celebrated

when they come out. It's brave and noteworthy.

Most glbt kids know pretty early who they are. It all has to do with what environment they find themselves in.

I have also enjoyed talking with you and look forward to more.