The Woke Report

Alabama secretary of early childhood education forced out over ‘woke’ teacher training book

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced on April 21, 2023, that she had replaced her director of early childhood education due to the use of a teacher training book. The book was written by a nationally recognized education group and contained language about inclusion and structural racism, which the Republican governor denounces as teaching “woke concepts.”

In a statement, Ivey said, “The education of Alabama’s children is my top priority as governor, and there is absolutely no room to distract or take away from this mission. Let me be crystal clear: Woke concepts that have zero to do with a proper education and that are divisive at the core have no place in Alabama classrooms at any age level, let alone with our youngest learners.”

The governor’s office cited two examples from the book in a press release. One example discussed white privilege and that “the United States is built on systemic and structural racism,” while the other claimed to teach LGBTQ+ inclusion to four-year-olds. However, an analysis of the book’s contents by the Alabama Reflector revealed that it only instructs teachers to be aware of these issues when teaching but does not instruct them to teach the concepts directly.

Ivey’s criticism of the book is part of a growing trend in which politicians influence curriculums, claiming that some teaching concepts are “woke.” Alabama currently ranks 39th in reading and 40th in math in the nation among fourth-grade students, according to a report from the National Assessment of Education Progress, as reported by WHNT

Separation of Church and State

(The ongoing battle for freedom)

 Texas public schools will be forced to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom under a bill passed by the state Senate Thursday.

 Senate bill 1515 was introduced by Republican Phil King, who has said it “will remind students all across Texas of the importance of the fundamental foundation of America.” The bill now heads to the Republican-dominated House for review, and will go to the Governor’s desk upon approval.

Legislators also passed Senate Bill 1396, which would require schools to set aside time for students and staff to read the Bible. Both bills follow the 2021 policy that required schools to display “In God We Trust” signs donated by community members.

 The laws clearly contradict separation of church and state, which has even some conservative Christians concerned. John Litzler, general counsel for the Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission, told the Senate that he and his organization oppose using taxpayer money on religious education.

 Litzer also cited content in the Commandments which may not be appropriate for young children, that goes against the state’s own recently implemented content standards.

 “I should have the right to introduce my daughter to the concepts of adultery and coveting one’s spouse,” Litzler said in a committee hearing, via The Texas Tribune. “It shouldn’t be one of the first things she learns to read in her kindergarten classroom.”

 Texas lawmakers recently approved legislation that bans “sexually explicit” books from school libraries, and mandates parental consent for “sexually relevant” books.

 The ACLU of Texas called the recent bills an “example of failed priorities and failed leadership.”

 “The U.S. Constitution expressly prohibits the entanglement of church and state, and the Texas Constitution guarantees the freedom of worship,” David Donatti, an attorney for the ACLU of Texas, told The Washington Post. “Whether we choose to belong to one religion or none at all, people of all faiths and creeds should together resist the state’s endorsement of one particular religion.”

 Published by “The Advocate” on April 23, 2023

Transgenders – Is it a Choice or Genetic Defect

With all the backlash with transgenders, people have failed to begin to understand the causes. Everybody thinks that transgender is a choice, like being gay was a choice. They were wrong about gays and they could be wrong about transgender.

The current scientific consensus is that being transgender is not a choice but rather a complex interplay of biological, environmental, and cultural factors. While the exact causes of transgender identity are not fully understood, researchers believe that genetics, hormones, and brain structure may all play a role.

There is evidence to suggest that being transgender may have a genetic component. For example, studies have found that there are genetic variations associated with sex hormone receptors and other genes related to sex differentiation that may influence a person’s gender identity. Additionally, twin studies have shown that there is a higher likelihood of one twin being transgender if the other twin is also transgender, suggesting a genetic influence.

The sex of an embryo is determined at the moment of fertilization when the sperm carrying an X or Y chromosome fertilizes the egg. However, the physical differentiation of male and female genitalia occurs later in fetal development, typically during the 16th to 20th week of pregnancy. Genetic defects, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia and androgen insensitivity syndrome, can cause a female (XX) chromosome to develop male genitalia, or a male (XY) chromosome to develop female genitalia. These conditions are typically diagnosed through genetic testing and physical examination by a healthcare professional. Treatment may involve hormonal therapy or surgery, depending on the specific condition and individual circumstances.

There are several genetic conditions that can cause a person with female chromosomes (XX) to develop male genitalia. One such condition is called congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), which is an inherited disorder that affects the adrenal glands. In CAH, the body is unable to produce enough cortisol and sometimes aldosterone, leading to an overproduction of androgens (male hormones). This can result in the development of male genitalia in a female fetus or infant.

Another genetic condition that can cause male genitalia to develop in a person with female chromosomes is called androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). In AIS, the body is unable to respond to male hormones (androgens) due to a genetic mutation. This can cause a person with XY chromosomes to develop female genitalia or a person with XX chromosomes to develop male genitalia.

The causes of transgender identity are likely complex and multifactorial, and there is still much to learn about this topic. While there may be an increase in the number of people identifying as transgender in recent years, and the increased visibility and acceptance of transgender individuals, researchers have increased their study into the genetic or biological defects during pregnancy.

EASTER MESSAGE 2023

Although there are many religions throughout the world, the majority believe in God and Jesus. Easter is a time of reflection on what was sacrificed to preserve the human race, and I would like to remind you of the true meaning of Easter.

Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Jesus died on the cross to take away the sins of the world. While many men died on crosses because of Roman punishment, those men weren’t saviors for the world. They suffered as Jesus did and were buried, often in mass graves. So although the cross is essential, it can’t be the end of the story. There must be Easter – when Jesus came back to life. He is the only man in history who rose from the dead and never died again. Others like Lazarus were raised from the dead by Jesus but died again at some point.
Only Jesus rose from the tomb and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. While two other men in history disappeared without death, Enoch and Elijah, they don’t sit on the throne as the second person of the Trinity. That’s why Jesus is so awesome.
Although Easter may not have as many blessings and traditions as Christmas, there are more than ample references in Scripture to the event of what we have named “Easter.” The word “Easter” is not used in Scripture but seems to have its roots referring to the beginning of spring and possibly referring to a goddess named “Eostre.” However, there is no universal agreement among scholars regarding the first usage of the word.
What is important is that Jesus has risen. In fact, the primary tradition of Easter, which we can call a kind of blessing, is when we greet each other with “He is risen!” Then the other person responds, “He is risen indeed!” Although nobody actually saw him rise, based on Mark 16:6 when the angel greeted the three women at the tomb, saying, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here. See the place where they laid him.” Of course, when they “saw” the place, Jesus wasn’t there! Unlike those women who initially didn’t tell anyone what they experienced because they were afraid (Mark 16), we enthusiastically exclaim, “He is risen!”
Father God, I am filled with gratitude and awe thinking of your Son’s sacrifice on Good Friday and His power on Easter. There really aren’t any words sufficient to describe the significance of what the resurrection means. But I offer my gratitude because I acknowledge I have been set free from the bondage of sin and eternal death.
Your power is available to me to resist sin, and I have your assurance that I will join you forever in heaven. My joy and peace overflow. Thank you for reminding me that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power I have available to me to live a godly life. Thank you for receiving my praise and thanksgiving. I offer them sincerely and gladly.
 I pray to you God in Jesus’ name
My Brother in Christ.
AMEN

THE ABORTION DEBATE BETWEEN THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT

The issue of abortion is a highly divisive one, with differing views held by those on the political left and right. While there is some overlap between the two, there are also key differences in their respective views on the issue. While conservatives view abortion as the taking of a human life and prioritize the rights of the fetus, liberals prioritize a woman’s right to control her own body and access healthcare services. While there is some overlap in their views, there are fundamental differences in the way they approach this contentious issue. This article is not promoting one side over the other.  We will examine the differing views on abortion held by those on the political left and right, with a focus on the key differences between conservatives and liberals. By analyzing factors that shape their positions on this contentious issue. Ultimately, we seek to provide a comprehensive overview of the abortion debate and the perspectives that drives it, in order to promote a better understanding of this complex topic.

Conservatives or “Right-Wing” Republicans:

 Conservatives view life is sacred and believe that life begins at the moment of conception. This believe is grounded in their religious and moral conviction. Because of this belief, conservatives are opposed to abortion because they see it as the taking of a human life. To them, it is no different than murder.

 They argue that a woman who becomes pregnant has a responsibility to carry the baby to full term and give birth, regardless of the circumstances. They believe that the baby is a person with the same rights as any other individual, and that those rights should be protected. However, the issue of conjoined twins presents a complex ethical dilemma. In cases where separating the twins will result in the death of one of them, conservatives may struggle to reconcile their belief in the sanctity of life with the difficult decision of who should live and who should die.

 Furthermore, when the life of the mother is at stake, conservatives may face a similar ethical dilemma. While they believe that taking the life of another person is a sin, they also believe that the mother’s life is just as valuable as the baby’s. Therefore, they may be forced to make a difficult decision regarding whose life to prioritize.

 Some conservatives argue that in cases where the mother’s life is at state, it may be permissible to terminate the pregnancy to save her life. However, they maintain that this decision should not be taken lightly, and that all possible alternatives should be explored before resorting to abortion. There are those conservatives who believe that no alternatives should be considered when it comes to abortion, no matter what the consequences are.

 Finally, conservatives may also argue that the baby should not be punished for the actions of the mother. If the mother dies during childbirth, the baby will grow up without a mother, but that does not mean that the baby should be denied the chance to live. Rather, they believe that the baby should be given the opportunity to be raised by loving adoptive parents who will provide a nurturing environment for them to grow up in.

Liberal “Left-wing” Democrats

Liberals believe that a woman has a right to control her own body and make decisions about her own reproductive health. This includes the right to access safe and legal abortion services if she chooses. Access to abortion is a matter of social justice and equality. Restrictions on abortion disproportionately impact low-income women, women of color, and those living in rural areas who may have limited access to healthcare services.

 Liberals tend to support policies that promote comprehensive sex education, access to contraception, and other reproductive healthcare services in order to prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the need for abortion.

 Liberals tend to view abortion as a medical procedure, rather than a moral or ethical issue. They believe that women should be able to make their own decisions about whether to have an abortion, without interference from politicians or religious groups. Many liberals believe that the decision to have an abortion should be made between a woman and her doctor, and that politicians should not be involved in making medical decisions.

 Some liberals argue that access to abortion is a fundamental human right, and that denying women the right to choose is a violation of their basic freedoms. Finally, some liberals believe that access to abortion is necessary to promote women’s health and well-being, and that denying women the right to choose can have negative consequences for their physical, emotional, and economic health.

The fundamental difference.

 Conservatives generally oppose abortion, believing that life begins at conception and that the fetus has the same rights as any other individual. They view abortion as the taking of a human life and argue that women have a responsibility to carry the baby to full term and give birth, regardless of the circumstances. Conservatives may struggle to reconcile their belief in the sanctity of life with difficult decisions such as those surrounding conjoined twins or the life of the mother. They may also argue that the baby should not be punished for the actin of the mother and should be given a chance to be raised by loving adoptive parents.

 On the other hand, liberals generally support a woman’s right to access safe and legal abortion services. They believe that a woman has a right to control her own body and make decisions about her own reproductive health. They may view access to abortion as a matter of social justice and equality, arguing that restrictions on abortion disproportionately impact marginalized groups. Liberals may also believe that access to abortion is necessary to promote women’s health and well-being, and that denying women the right to choose can have negative consequences for their physical, emotional, and economic health.