@Jimmy8317 My heart aches as we hear about more and more young folks taking their lives. I cannot imagine what this must be like for a family and community. Thank you for all that YOU are doing to help bring some hope to this time.
@dioramaca - Totally understand how this could be taken, but was talking not about "them" as people, but "them" as the two issues of sexuality. I think one of the things that we do is allow ourselves to remain in some theoretical space - which I do think is important to do in general - but unless we ever see the ramification of our thinking, the exercise is pointless. And in this case, we are not talking about theoretical results, but as we see so vividly now . . . death.
Thanks all for the kind words, but more importantly taking the time to challenge one another, not simple with our words and links, but to be the kind of community and individuals that we need to be in order to avoid the heartbreak of teen suicide.
I hope that as more of us are outraged and heartbroken that there will be more people who create those "safe places" and be supportive and understanding adults to all young people. Schools need to stop tolerating bullying now. They send mixed, soft, unclear messages.
Bruce, this may not be highly polished or edited, but it speaks eloquently to the fact that many of us are willing to be that "safe place" for young people but there are so many influences have created a world that makes kids feel the world is not a safe place to live in. I hope we can all listen, learn from this, and put our compassion into action. Thank you. Grace and Peace, Dori
The way to stop this bullying is simple: EMPLOYERS need to stop hiring ALL students who come from ANY school where it was proven that this stuff was tolerated.
If these kids know that looking the other way might cost them jobs when they finish school, they'll start speaking up.
Thanks, Bruce, for sharing your thoughts. My children are grown and I felt all of the pain they shared with me. I know they had other pains as well. I am glad they did not feel such despair that suicide became their option. Sadly, they had peers who did. I have always been against the romanticizing of "Romeo and Juliet," and those "I can't live without you" songs - of course they can! I hope our faith communities can help root them in hope more enduring. Let's be welcome safe space for others.
thanks A lot God bless :)
futureplayer111 1 year ago
Look at my channel....It will tell my story:(
djkissbird 1 year ago
Yo are so sweet!
fevertotell00 1 year ago
Another teen in Ohio committed suicide Sladjana Vidovic very sad.....
Jimmy8317 1 year ago
@Jimmy8317 My heart aches as we hear about more and more young folks taking their lives. I cannot imagine what this must be like for a family and community. Thank you for all that YOU are doing to help bring some hope to this time.
breyeschow 1 year ago
thanks, bruce.
bdammons 1 year ago
Thank you for putting all things aside and thinking of the safety of everyone first. Thank you, thank you.
Squirrelflight35 1 year ago
thank you, Bruce! I'm challenged, and I'm passing along the challenge to our faith community here in Gastonia, NC.
knightopia 1 year ago
@dioramaca - Totally understand how this could be taken, but was talking not about "them" as people, but "them" as the two issues of sexuality. I think one of the things that we do is allow ourselves to remain in some theoretical space - which I do think is important to do in general - but unless we ever see the ramification of our thinking, the exercise is pointless. And in this case, we are not talking about theoretical results, but as we see so vividly now . . . death.
breyeschow 1 year ago
you had me until, "you can talk theoretically about them".
dioramaca 1 year ago
Very thoughtful. Thank you.
AngloBaptist 1 year ago
Thanks all for the kind words, but more importantly taking the time to challenge one another, not simple with our words and links, but to be the kind of community and individuals that we need to be in order to avoid the heartbreak of teen suicide.
breyeschow 1 year ago
Thank you! Eloquent, sincere, and thoughtful.
lorikendall999 1 year ago
Good job, well said!
ChainsThatBind 1 year ago
What a powerful, moving message!
I hope that as more of us are outraged and heartbroken that there will be more people who create those "safe places" and be supportive and understanding adults to all young people. Schools need to stop tolerating bullying now. They send mixed, soft, unclear messages.
Thank you for sharing.
CtinaVideo 1 year ago
Bruce, this may not be highly polished or edited, but it speaks eloquently to the fact that many of us are willing to be that "safe place" for young people but there are so many influences have created a world that makes kids feel the world is not a safe place to live in. I hope we can all listen, learn from this, and put our compassion into action. Thank you. Grace and Peace, Dori
DoriMarshall 1 year ago
Well said.
Joymax 1 year ago
The way to stop this bullying is simple: EMPLOYERS need to stop hiring ALL students who come from ANY school where it was proven that this stuff was tolerated.
If these kids know that looking the other way might cost them jobs when they finish school, they'll start speaking up.
BettorOffSingle 1 year ago
Thanks, Bruce, for sharing your thoughts. My children are grown and I felt all of the pain they shared with me. I know they had other pains as well. I am glad they did not feel such despair that suicide became their option. Sadly, they had peers who did. I have always been against the romanticizing of "Romeo and Juliet," and those "I can't live without you" songs - of course they can! I hope our faith communities can help root them in hope more enduring. Let's be welcome safe space for others.
leighgillis 1 year ago