Newport-Mesa School District Sex Education

This letter is in response to the letter (Dec. 10) by James W. Angell, Robert P. Steward and Charles H. Sword.

What needs to be made absolutely clear is what I, members and supporters of the Committee to Restore Ethical and Traditional Education (CREATE), and other concerned citizens of the Newport-Mesa school district have, and are, objecting to regarding some of the teaching in the school district.

Specifically, we have objected to the teaching of sexual-arousal skills to high school students; we have objected to the demonstration of condoms on bananas, and the teacher making condoms available to students; we have objected to the showing of R-rated movies to children under the age of 17; and we have objected to teaching children that pedophiles (child abusers) really love children.

We have also objected to the manner in which homosexuality has been taught. All we have ever asked is that both sides of this controversial issue be presented, as the rules and regulations of this district require.

The reaction of the letter writers to our objections is that “we intend to impose upon our schools our own specific moral code and system of censorship.” The members of the school board, the administration, and these writers and others who are attacking us are hypocrites. If they really were concerned with censorship, and sincerely had a desire for intellectual and educational freedom, they would join with us and demand that the rules and regulations of the school district be enforced and that all sides of a controversial issue be presented. I cannot help but wonder what type of theological and political goals St. Mark Presbyterian Church must have to suggest that anyone who objects to this type of teaching is an ultra-radical extremist.

We also wish to know why it is that a school district that refuses to allow Christmas carols to be sung so that no one would be offended has permitted the filthy, vulgar and disgusting presentation of sex as described above.

JOHN M. GUSTAFSON

Newport Beach