Teen weighs impact of joining alliance
DEAR ABBY: I’m 14, starting my freshman year in high school and, of course, will be joining lots of clubs to prepare for college.
My best friend is gay, and when I asked her if she wanted to join any clubs together, she suggested the GayStraight Alliance club. As a saved Christian, I am unsure how to answer.
I believe Christians should treat homosexuals with kindness and respect. I believe also in same-sex marriage because of the legal protection it gives. I respect my friend’s decision, and I’m happy she’s happy with her life. My family doesn’t know how to respond either, though they have similar beliefs.
I am afraid if my church found out, they would dislike me for joining, as well as question where I really stand as a Christian. I feel conflicted about how to address both sides of my beliefs. Can you help? — CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE IN KENTUCKY
DEAR CAUGHT: I, too, believe that Christians (and people of all faiths) should treat each other with kindness and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation. But somewhere you got the impression that sexual orientation is a choice. It isn’t. Your friend’s orientation was determined before she was born, just as yours was.
Wanting to support your friend by joining a Gay-Straight Alliance is a commendable thing to do, and it follows the Golden Rule. I can’t see how a church that preaches love would object to that.
DEAR ABBY: Recently, my husband and I were walking down the sidewalk in our neighborhood and came across $160 in cash strewn all over the ground. As we were picking it up, our neighbor came outside. We knew her husband had just gotten home, and the money was near his car, so we asked if it might be his. We handed her the cash and told her to let us know.
Two weeks have gone by and no one has claimed it. Our neighbor still has it, and has mentioned in passing that we should spend it on toys for our kids or food/drinks at the next get-together.
While I think these are OK ideas, I’m a little bitter because my husband and I found the money, and I feel we should be the ones who get to keep it if no one comes forward to claim it. I don’t want to damage our friendship, but I feel like we’re losing a bit. What do you think? — FINDERS KEEPERS
DEAR FINDERS KEEPERS: I think that before handing over the money, you should have had your neighbor ask her husband if he had lost any and how much. Because you didn’t do that and they have the cash, perhaps you should “remind” her that “per her suggestion,” you would LOVE to spend some of it on toys for your kids, and ask for some or all of it back.