“Now, sex. Sex, sex, sex. Where were we?” — Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
I read an article today about a new bill introduced by Wisconsin Republicans which would change the way sex education is taught in the state. Now, I’m not here to debate about abstinence vs. contraception. But, as an aside, I will say contraceptive information should be taught plainly and accurately. I remember once in elementary school some guys started talking about using “rubbers” to prevent pregnancy. No one ever explained to me (and of course I didn’t ask) the concept of a latex sheath and I spent the next couple years imagining something the size and shape of a pencil top eraser that functioned like a cork.
No, what really caught my eye was a sentence about the composition of the school district advisory committees which develop the curriculum. From 118.019 of the State Statutes: “the school board shall appoint an advisory committee composed of parents, teachers, school administrators, pupils, health care professionals, members of the clergy and other residents of the school district.”
I have to say I’m pretty amazed, given the long-standing doctrine of separation of church and state, that state law guarantees clergy a place at the sex-ed table. Tantrism notwithstanding, I would venture to say most clergy in America are against premarital sex and probably not real fond of comprehensive sex education. It seems sort of like stacking the deck to me.
I guess we should be thankful this approach hasn’t been expanded to, say, giving creationists a spot on the school science curriculum panel. On the other hand, religion has a lot to say concerning many areas of social policy the state plays a major role in. Jesus aided the poor, healed the sick, forgave criminals, spoke against the rich and powerful. Maybe we’d be better off if we had clergy helping to set health care policy, or welfare policy, or debt and bankruptcy law, prison reform, or taxation.
I just find it fascinating that of all the areas out there for clergy to play a role in, sex is the one they get. And of all the things for churches to be involved in, policing sex is still what too many of them seem to want to do the most. It was just a couple weeks ago that the Minnesota Catholic Conference announced a major effort to support passage of the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in our neighboring state. Really? You’ve got massive unemployment, increasing poverty, skyrocketing foreclosures, and your top legislative priority is gay marriage?
Jesus preached the social gospel, not the sexual gospel. When it comes to setting sex ed policies or proclaiming standards of sexual behavior, most clergy would do well to follow their own advice: abstain.
