How can I keep my anger inside about this topic in bible class?

Lily is right, but I must add that you also need to separate your emotions as well. You clearly believe passionately (and correctly) that homosexuality is a right of choice and preference. You need to define both your passion for the subject, and your anger for those who are intolerant of it individually. Remember there’s a difference between debate and disagreement. You must understand that these prude, god-fearing people are set in their beliefs through faith, and that there’s not much you can do about it except tune out when they are inflaming your morals with their intolerant ignorance. I support “gay” rights as well, and I personally think you should stop going to bible school. That knowledge is ancient and will do you no good today.

except of course the obvious things, like don’t kill people and don’t steal etc…

I understand how frustrating it is to listen to something that you completely disagree with. When this topic comes up, try to take a couple of deep breaths and count backwards from 20 to 1. You can cover your mouth with a cupped hand to remind yourself not to lose control. I think it’d also be a good idea to bring in a journal that you can write or draw down your thoughts and emotions in. You can be as explicit as you like in it haha. Even just scribbling could help. I think that’d be nice outlet, and a healthy way to express your anger. Or, you can just ask to go to the restroom where you can give yourself time to calm down and recollect your thoughts.

Emotional outbursts don’t do any good. Your brain loses it’s power to rationalize and reason when you are under intense stress, depression or are angry. You might do something you wouldn’t normally do when you are angry. The best way to control it is to not listen to what your teacher is saying at all - you will not get angry if the trigger isn’t pulled. . Do one of these:

1. Count the number of objects in the room. Everything, lights, chalk, people etc
2. Count from one to five hundred and count back when you are done.
3. Inhale deeply and EXHALE fully. Do it for ten to fifteen times or as long as you feel like.
4. Ball your fist into tight knuckles and open up your fist again. Keep doing this.
5. Wear a rubber band around your wrist, whenever you feel that you are starting to lose control, snap it. Snap it when you catch yourself losing control. . Remember that you are the master of your mind and not vice versa (: Nothing can anger a person who chooses not to be angered. :)

Niikkiiii, I think your original idea is the best: Before the topic comes up, tell your teacher that you are going to excuse yourself from the class when it does, so that you don’t lose control of your anger and make a scene. This has the advantage of protecting you and everyone else from the potential pain and embarrassment of that scene, while not losing the opportunity to make your point in a more calm and cordial manner. It may also create an opportunity for a less volatile discussion of the issue between you and your teacher, or maybe even in class. If not, at least it can serve as an important reminder for your teacher that it’s not just about some distant, anonymous Other.

If you decide to stay in class, I suggest that you try to mentally remove your teacher from the position of “teacher” (authority) for the hour, and listen as though to a random friend to whom you owe respect but not necessarily agreement. If you can do that (and draw on chanelglit’s excellent techniques, too), you may be able to participate in the discussion honestly without losing control.

Anger is the opposite of love. God only acts out of love. He loves the teacher, you, and gay people all the same. :) Try to align your thoughts with God. As his child, what lesson would god want that teacher to learn? What will anger at this person acomplish? If God is not angry at her, should I be? God want us to heal our hearts. He especially wants us to llove eachother. If you act out of love, you can be a part of God’s solution, which is always right.

  Ask the teacher a question like: "If God doesnt make junk, (and gay people seem to be born the way they are), then dont you think we should just love gay people and let God figure out the rest?"  

I dont pretend to understand homosexuality Niiki, but I do love people. Come at it from that angle. This teacher has been conditioned her whole life to think a certain way. Pray for her.

You seem pretty certain how this is going to go….if your sure you’ve nothing to learn from it or aren’t able to just take what you need and leave the rest ….you may want to bow out as Hayyim suggested or consider what Freefromself suggested.

Just take deep breath and ask questions that challenge your teachers thinking because she is probably just brainwashed so just show her that it’s illogical to hate gays and so on.

Thanks everybody! I’m giving you all points:)

I dont believe in god. but thanks anyways:)

If your so sure of your belief A) challenge the teacher Theologically to show her that Homosexuality and Christian/Muslim/Jewish Beliefs do not say that Homosexuality is wrong (Of course I completely disagree) B) Move or C) Ask the teacher if you can skip the class.

Leave the class!

Whenever it comes up in RE, we always debate about it, even though the teachers in my school aren’t allowed to be homophobic. For instance, they’ll read out a passage (eg, a man shalt not lie with a man) and ask if there are any counter arguments (eg, God created everything, is benevolent, thou shalt not kill etc). Challenging the subject makes it a debate and not a lecture, so it isn’t a blatant attack on gays but more a discussion. My RE teacher is generally a babe who is open-minded and so repsectful of everyone, but this obviously isn’t the case for you. If I were you, I’d asked to be excused from the class during the topic/ leave temporarily.

Whenever it comes up in RE, we always debate about it, even though the teachers in my school aren’t allowed to be homophobic. For instance, they’ll read out a passage (eg, a man shalt not lie with a man) and ask if there are any counter arguments (eg, God created everything, is benevolent, thou shalt not kill etc). Challenging the subject makes it a debate and not a lecture, so it isn’t a blatant attack on gays but more a discussion. My RE teacher is generally a babe who is open-minded and so repsectful of everyone, but this obviously isn’t the case for you. If I were you, I’d asked to be excused from the class during the topic/ leave temporarily.

I agree with the writing thing. It’s an outlet and a way for you not to have to bottle it up inside.

^double send -.-

Why would you be going to bible school if you dont believe in God? Are you forced to? Did you at one point?

My business is not yours. I went to this school for the eduacation it offers. not the bible sh!t.

Well lol :)… I have been in this argument more time than I would like to admitt. The best way to talk about it is to remain calm. Some ignorant @ssholes wil comment and you just have to brush it off. I have always found that yelling and getting mad isnt the way to go. BUT! I do have a good point that is worth saying IF you would like. The Bible says that every sin is the same, yes? Let us not forget the verse “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” So those who are depriving someone of their happiness just because of their sexual orientation are sinning just as much as the homosexual person. The thing you need to remember though is that you cant MAKE another person think the way you do and they cant MAKE you think the way they do. Your best bet is to keep calm, be open minded and dont be afraid to express your opinion. Just know that you are doing what YOU feel is right and that should get you through it, hun!

oh no wonder

I agree with what you said about separating emotions in trying to handle this issue. However…. Intolerant ignorance? We aren’t ignorant cause the bible clearly states that homosexuality is wrong. However, me personally, if someone wants to be gay…. let them be. However wrong it is in my beliefs. It isn’t affecting me so let them be (unless a gay guy hits on me and doesn’t take a hint). It is biblically wrong and will be taught as wrong in the same manner of not murdering and stealing are taught as wrong. Now, with that said. Christianity isn’t just ancient knowledge irrelevant. It is still applicable to life today beyond don’t kill and steal. It is still very alive today as it was back then. No offense but your comment was intolerantly ignorant.

I agree with what you said about separating emotions in trying to handle this issue. However…. Intolerant ignorance? We aren’t ignorant cause the bible clearly states that homosexuality is wrong. However, me personally, if someone wants to be gay…. let them be. However wrong it is in my beliefs. It isn’t affecting me so let them be (unless a gay guy hits on me and doesn’t take a hint). It is biblically wrong and will be taught as wrong in the same manner of not murdering and stealing are taught as wrong. Now, with that said. Christianity isn’t just ancient knowledge irrelevant. It is still applicable to life today beyond don’t kill and steal. It is still very alive today as it was back then. No offense but your comment was intolerantly ignorant.

I agree with bryson. Its clearly considered wrong in the bible. So it will be taught that way. Even tho i have no problems with gays. I have gay friends i love. But its wrong in a sense of belief with christianity. Although i am not to judge. I say if it makes u happy then be happy

Sorry, i was mad when i wrote that. And i just now realized that i spelled Education wrong. Ironic lol.