Fridae

Finally, in Great Britian we have a Great Children Secretary who believes in facts rather than myths. The evidence is clear that those teenagers who had received comprehensive sexuality education are more likely to delay their first sexual experience, and less likely to be infected by STDs or become pregnant. These fundamentalists who are ignorant about facts have no right to deny their next-generation the right to be protected from STDs and pregnancies. It's a good news for not only Britain but also those countries such as Singapore which have yet to embrace CSE, because this British experiment will definitely produce positive empirical evidence, which will convince the rest of the world's policymakers to follow suit.

Brilliant news... I can't see anyone objecting apart from religious nutters... and not pandering to them seems a very good plan.

Once again religion shows it is totally out of touch with reality and human nature.

But why wouldnt they object, after all religions ( all religions) can only thrive in the presence of ignorance. Education is the enemy of god(s)

I'm with Mr. Balls on this one!

Interesting the way the Muslim Council is going to challenge a law in the UK.... I wonder what would happen if it was the other way around... :S

It's surely a human right to be educated in the very essential aspects of our human nature - sex. Religion might only have a say in the style of that teaching NOT in the content. Really children need this knowledge by age 11 when or before they start pubity.

Contraception might be a sin in some people's eyes, but it doesn't mean children shouldn't know about the existence of it.

I know about space travel but I have no intention of launching myself :-)


Luckily in the UK we can also teach in SCIENCE lessons about the birds and bees at a younger age. This new law is about RELATIONSHIPS. With so many broken homes and complex family make-ups such education of the varieties of family is very needed so that children have empathy for their own and other family groups. ...so they can hopefully go on to have healthier relationships.

yuck, as a gay dad and republican thank god this would never happen in Texas... the UK sucks and the economy is awful, home schooling sounds like the way to go.. thank God for private, upper class schools

I don't know why religious against this ruling while allow and cover up their priest sexual abuses children from the age 8 or 10?

Well lagunabro - the UK economy is much stronger than the US so your comment is funny

Plus it says you live in China not Texas

Ever noticed how nothing gets religion more whipped into a froth faster than sex? Ever wonder why?

It's because religion has proven itself capable of controlling just about every other facet of the lives of its followers. Business, finance, marriage, law, food, drink, all the steps in life from cradle to the grave, religion has stuck its nose in.

But when it comes to sex, that most basic of human driving forces, religion loses every time. Sex is the one thing that religion fears most, because it's the one thing it can never fully control.

And P.S. to #9... about 60 seconds of cursory research on the financial pages show that your statement was inspired by nationalistic pride rather than verifiable facts. The British economy is in tatters (it will have contracted by a minimum of 3.2% by the end of this year, and the public debt is at 70% of GDP) and currently every bit as fragile as the US economy (whose public debt stands at about 67% of GDP, an equally worrisome figure), which is a big fat mess itself. To say that it's "much stronger" is little more than a flag-waving comment with no real substance. Sorry.

Best advice I can give is not to argue with a Texan. It's like arguing with an idiot... they'll drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.

Sigh... Is there anything that does NOT rile religious groups?

I guess the intriguing thing is to wonder what proportion of people of faith would support this idea. My guess is that the vast majority do -- so it's a looney fringe who get fired up.

Who knows, maybe this sort of thing helps to unmask the noisy minority as a small minority?

hey chadm252 #11 i enjoyed your comments :-) i completely agree with your view on religion and sex (like oil and water).

ok i won't go into the economy bit but the finishing statement about the texan (idiot??) guy lagunabro #7 is hilarious! :D boy is he full of himself. thank God i am gay and not in Taxes.

Surely everyone knows by now that lagunabro is just fictional comic relief who claims to come from several states and countries.

hey no one here has any kids except me i think, anyway I am glad we get the govnt out of the sex business in the USA, we leave that to TV and Hollywood

those UK people should spend more on getting better dental care for their kids-- never saw more crooked teeth in my life there during my dentist days

gay dads are better at explaining sex at home to our offsprings then any government program could ever do

hey steve lets settle this on the polo field if you are really up for it, i am the most authentic person out there and have mutliple homes not only here in shanghai but across the globe, and didn't need the government to help out with anything

i am not fiction, but already a hero where i am from...

most people are threatened by rich, successful, self reliant, not needing the government for anything, republican gay men, even straight guys fear us... nonetheless our children adore us and that is all that matters

if one more gay couple comes up to me and tells me oh we are wanting to have kids too, i think i will punch them... its not so hard, what r u waiting for guys?

off to check on my sick polo pony now....XO

#14, thanks! :) As for this other noodle, he's a self-proclaimed "gay Republican," which immediately invalidates him as a logical, thinking, person. This is a party that, in the US, views him with contempt, actively seeks to curtail his rights, and essentially eschews all things homosexual just on principle. But I'm sure they appreciate his vote, nevertheless. Any reasonably aware gay person would be either Libertarian, Democratic, or independent.

Once he proudly stated his gay Republican status, it kind of threw everything else he said into proper focus.

Hi Connor!! Oh I mean Lagunabro...it's been sometime since, how are you doing? =) You must still be very hard at work after the Aware saga I can see...good,good...rare to have such fine, hardworking pests...oh, sorry, I mean fine, hardworking men around these days. Keep up with the good work bro...but I'm a tad worried at the vicious hint of violence in yr words...hmm... I shall have them marked to serve as backup just in case. =) Oh, in case if you are thinking of
bribery, let's get one thing clear: I work with clean hands.
No exchanges under the table, that's just cheap, just like yr profile pic & choice of words. =)

Ok, now let's get back to topic.
It doesn't take a genius to figure why religious groups are most vehement in educating the public...remember, the masses are their lifeblood. Once mass ignorance is lost, it will be very,very,difficult to recover their membership rates, which results in...LESS POWER & INFLUENCE. Then put yourself in the shoes of say, Papa B of the RC Church. Or even Mullah ABC fr some extremist madrasah. With less gullible people to fool- and more people to openly challenge them, would they have liked that? Of course NOT.
Also, as others have observed, they are most strangely riled up whenever the topic of sex is involved. Well it's simple: with birth control & homosexuaity accepted in the community, how are they able to 'go forth & multiply' to INCREASE THEIR MEMBERSHIP????

huh? what the hell is Baines talking about about?

why the attack on a hot gay Jew?

who is Connor?

you got this Republican boy born in Texas raised in Michigan confused with someone else

just cause a guy is a conservative strong gay man and daddy, you attack him... not all gay men from Michigan and Texas have been emasculated by chicks like Baines

anyway watch Glee on Fox for more positive images of strong gay men, you are forgiven Baines but not everyone wants the government to interfere in their life, it has nothing to do with religion and more to do with being a libertarian

anyway, although you are me are both gay, we will never get along and we share different world views and probably never intersect except for here on this web space; doubt if we would ever sit next to each other on a plane

anyway, just addding a perspective of a gay dad of twins, a hot Jewish guy who was validictorian at an all boys Catholic school and Stanford grad now a little rich and successful so gonna travel the world, play polo and have lunch now and then with some smart people who are advocating good causes ... are gays only democrats? doubt it, welcome you guys to our Log Cabin

Jeeeeeeeeeeeesus they need it those Brits... they have 11 - 12 yr olds getting pregnant over there they make skanky Australia look positively virtuous

am i the only one who thinks that the problem here is the roman catholics attitude to condoms? the uk church here is ok with condoms (and also gay priests for that matter)

Do the children at 15 get to say anything about the outcome? Of course not, because we ALL know what's best for them, right? I think ALL responsible parents who truly love their children have rights, too, whatever country they reside in, to examine the educational material, and venture a public opinion. If you have a kid, you would naturally want to make sure that no-one hurts your kid, either physically, or psychologically and sexually. Religion or politics aside, any true parent would want to protect the children from any premature influences in potentially confusing areas, till they are old enough to make up their own minds, and take responsibility for what they do. With the hormonal turbulences within still at full throttle, fifteen is still a very volatile and impressionable age for most kids, especially in more traditional and less developed countries (i will leave the UK adults, and especially parents if any here, to comment on the UK scenario). However, the fact that innocence is precious, is universal. No-one, except sexual predators without conscience, would disagree. So you still have to tread carefully, and with deliberation.

Yes, the kids come first when it comes to "sex education", and parents should also be teachers in this area. But one still needs to proceed with true wisdom, despite the Internet's global advance, as well as what some may see as parental dogma, whether traditional or religious. Sure, no one except irresponsible parents would want to see their kids getting an abortion or hiv/Aids. But teachers still have to tread carefully in teaching matters of sexuality at an age, where that sexuality is still in the process of formation, whether through nature or nurture. Just be sure you take full responsibility for what you teach, and make sure that what you teach is good for the kids, not for your political agenda, straight or gay. Treat them as wisely as if they were your own kids. Hopefully, every adult here with power or an opinion has been taught to do that? I sure hope so...

I suspect teachers on the whole do manage to do a wise and a sensitive job in this area, "oldfren"; the information should be factually correct and help prevent unwanted pregnancy, STDs and prejudice, encourage humanity and discourage objectification (IMHO). I don't know where you are getting your facts from though, you corrupt educational values by asserting Genesis as a fact in another column, instead of one of many creation myths depending on your religious beliefs...similarly there are a lot of myths around sex that young people pick up (even pregnancy from a toilet seat) and you boldly state another myth as fact: that sexual orientation is "in formation" at 15 whereas even over 30 years ago the scientific evidence was that it was fixed by the age of three, and subsequently this was revised to being fixed by birth.

I doubt that many parents or youngsters like the idea of discussing sex together, and all are happy to pass the responsibility to teachers with the necessary training, knowledge and tact. I agree though, the youngsters should come fiirst; letting them pick up old wives tales instead of a proper education is doing them a disservice.

I stand firmly by what i've said here. (Comment 23)

That doesn't mean you have to agree with all i've said, "steveuk". (Comment 24) We agree the children come first, right? But even if you don't have a child, can you be at least sensitive to that child's parents' concerns, even if you disagree with them? Are you a father or a mother?

As for Genesis, the reader will have to refer to that column you mention to see what i actually, and factually, said. Corrupt values? hahaha :)

As for Science, well, the centuries-old belief that the universe has always been here was only recently, in the second-half of the 20th century, turned on its head by the Big Bang theory, which is now the cool and accepted dogma. Turned on its scientific head. Did you know that?

Of course, whether you believe that the bang was the result of Creation is up to you entirely. Albert Einstein, a Jew, believed in God. Did you know that? He believed in Good and Evil, and still had a great sense of humour. Have you heard of him? C S Lewis, a teacher at Cambridge University, UK, believed in the book of Genesis, being a man of faith as well. The professor of Medieval and Renaissance Literature wrote the Narnia chronicles, among other things.

As for education today in the UK, i'm sure parents there will be happy to rest on what one gay man "suspects" is true. Who doesn't want good values to be taught by good teachers? As an Asian, it's not my call to make. A couple of loving British parents with a daughter are my friends: i will happily and totally leave them to decide the issue - it's their daughter. No one wants their kid to get hiv/Aids or pregnant. Or didn't i say that?

In the past, you have accused some Christians of waging "war" against you. This is what it's really about, isn't it? Politics. This is just a forum - use it to understand all the folks here of different races and creeds. I believe you called it humanity?
Whether you like it or not, many members here are Christians, too, and there are members of the other faiths present as well, Singapore being a multi-religious republic. Is this actually a British website? Should every single one toe your stereotypical, political line? Or are you the "damaged" one actually still waging war, while others around you are trying to understand and heal, and yes, love, care and co-exist? Prejudice is still prejudice, whatever your past or present hurts, or whatever exclusive tribe you think you belong to...

I really don't care for rehashed politically-correct drivel from cloned "pundits" who simply cannot accommodate anyone else's varying point of view or beliefs, whatever labels - sexual, political or religious - you choose to pin on yourself.

Please don't waste my time, if this is true of you. If not, let's just agree to disagree, where we disagree. That's a basic right, too, right? Thanks, and if you're in a pub, cheers! Be happy... it's mostly a wonderful life there in the UK, isn't it?

Please do not associate the arrogance, rudeness, pomposity and self-importance of that "Texan" with all Americans.

No, he is NOT the only "gay parent" or the only educated person on this website. My experience with people who are truly "rich" and "well-connected" is that -- unless they're VERY INSECURE -- they don't need to publicly self-promote themselves, e.g., "claims" they're the class Valedictorian (how is anyone going to know that? Okay, I'm an astronaut...lol.) Besides, who really in this site really gives a ****?

I'll take someone with common sense, a good heart, a sense of perspective -- note I didn't say, "self-importance" -- plus a realistic world view, and a PERSONALITY any day over someone so insecure he has to tout his pedigree, especially in a snotty stuck-up way (so middle schoolish.) Besides, some Harvard business partners that I have met are not necessarily ones that I'd want to personally socialize with (and I would assume that might apply to our UK poster's Eton or even Cambridge College, e.g.)

All-in-all, the "Texan" sounds like someone who's very "concerned" about what brand clothes he wears, what kind of car he drives, what schools he wants us to believe he attended, homes he owns (rents?)or that he has not just a pony, but a polo pony. Oh, pleaseee. I mean, this is the same Yank who states "thank God for private, upper class schools." Well, friend, I went to one of those prep schools and they're not all they're made out to be, and there were some sons of truly rich & political powerful fathers, but they fell into two classes: ones who felt they had to let others know "who they were" and those who were confident in their own self-worth that they didn't have to brag to their fellow students (and thus, were the kind of ppl others wanted to be around.)

Then, if that's not enough for us, in sad conclusion, he again flaunts what he THINKS is a symbol of prestige or wealth (which is shorthand for "see what I got!") by challenging another poster to play polo against him. Oh, gawd, this guy smells so much like an ego maniac it's not worth addressing (and this will be my only response to him.) So what? Oe of my best friends played polo at Texas A&M on scholarship; if what he told me about the polo circuit that he now plays on professionally, I would want NOTHING to do with those socialites he's forced to spend time with (think shallow, self-important ppl whose social habits I won't go into here, but whose money helps the sport.) In fact, we just had a truly wealthy polo groupie kill her hot Argentine boyfriend-polo player (and now, I'm waiting for Mr. Texas to tell us he can play polo as well as those studly Argentine players; kind of like a Texan saying he can beat ppl on the Brazilian football team! Texan: that's "soccer" to you.)

Finally, he annoyingly goes on in another posting that he THINKS his kids "adore" him. Oh, pleaseeee. So does my dog: so? (Besides, one never REALLY know what kids think behind your back or when they get older.) He makes it sound like another talisman that he wants to dangle in front of everybody to say, "Look at me, I have a college degree..a nice watch...a car...a horsy..oh, and kiddies too." Oh, and don't forget the multiple homes he claims to have (Zzzzz...boring.)

Does any one really want to "be" with this megalomaniac who claims he's "already a hero where i am from." Oh, gawd. Yeah, well a lot of ppl are a legend in their minds. If you're really so self-important, why do you waste your valuable precious time talking to us commoners and on a relatively anonymous overseas website? (cause your Texan 'friends' would see through your BS.) If there's any other doubt about him, for you non-Americans, just remember that he claims as his domicile the very same state that brought us Pres. George Bush2!

[One last comment: Hey fellow American - how about waking up to the fact that this isn't a US site -- you sound like and use very parochial US terms. Clue in to your audience. For the rest of you, apologies for my truly culturally UNeducated compatriot -- I'm embarrassed for him!]

And yes, aztlan_oz #21 - Great comment. Short, sharp, succinct! =)

To oldfren #23: I think you've just revealed to the whole world what a Christian is really like :p

"God is subtle but never malicious." (Albert Einstein)

Thank you Hyperhowiz. #34 :-)

"My experience with people who are truly "rich" and "well-connected" is that -- unless they're VERY INSECURE -- they don't need to publicly self-promote themselves, e.g" Well-said!!! Think Jake Gyllenhaal, whose father's a descendant of Swedish nobility & whose mother's a Jewish intellectual...did he ever brag about his aristocratic roots? His accomplishments? His handsome looks? Even though technically speaking, he has every right to?
I think some people can learn a thing or two of, if not humility, then at least discretion fr the above example. And the culturally uneducated compatriot you mentioned.?
QUEL CONNARD. But he's rather pitiful :p
I won't say I forgive him, it's damn hypocritical...but I have pity on him....and his ilk. :p


Sidenote: By Howie's very virtue, I will try to not associate "arrogance, rudeness, pomposity and self-importance" to all Americans in future....though I'll be frank- it's quite tough, as we have lots & lots of those clowns (and clown-wannabes) here in Asia as they wouldn't dare behave like this in their own country cause their "friends" back home can easily see through their BS" lol.

Albert Einstein managed to escape from Nazi Germany, with his life. Unfortunately, not all do, whichever tribe is doing the "hating". I was just reading an article about an 18-year-old boy in Singapore who died from being kicked in the head by three members of a rival gang. It wasn't a "gay" issue, or a racial issue, or a "religious" issue. It was just political. A matter of turf, and wounded pride. The blow may not have been intended as a lethal one, but it was, nonetheless, a wasteful, crime of hate.
Yes, Albert was a great scientist, who believed in God, a God of Peace and Love, but also of Righteousness and Justice.

"Let justice roll down like the waters..."
- isn't that such a comfort when you think of ALL the victims of hate and injustice? there will be a Divine and eternal justice for ALL one day - ALL. thank you, Professors Einstein and Lewis, sirs, for believing that...