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Bible quotes about gays in SLO teacher’s letter cause outrage

May 11, 2017

A letter to the editor written by a San Luis Obispo High School special education teacher and published by the school’s student news site has prompted outrage on the Central Coast over alleged shaming of the LGBT community.

The letter penned by Michael Stack quotes a bible passage that states sinful, wicked people commit a variety of sins, including gay sex, and that they deserve to die. Stack wrote the letter to the editor in response to an edition of the student newspaper Expressions that was devoted to LGBT issues. A photo of two girls kissing appeared on the cover of the LGBT edition of the paper.

Stack did not explicitly state in his letter that homosexuals deserve to die, and he concluded by wishing that “those who have stumbled” return to “the right path.”

Nevertheless, The SLO Tribune published a headline stating, “Gay people ‘deserve to die,’ SLO High teacher’s letter to student newspaper says.”

San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon said in a post on her Facebook page Wednesday that the letter “is unacceptable” and that community members should share their concerns with the San Luis Coastal school board and the SLO High administration.

“A teacher at SLO High wrote this shaming letter against the LGBT community — a community that already has a high degree of suicide,” Harmon wrote.

In the letter, Stack stated he believes the bible is 100 percent accurate and that, out of obedience to God, he requests that everyone read Romans, Chapter 1, verses 16-32. The majority of the letter then went on to quote the bible passage.

“Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other,” one section of the passage states. “And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.”

After listing more sins, such as greed, hate, murder, deception, gossip, disobeying parents and having no mercy, the Romans, Chapter 1 passage states, ““They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway.”

Following the bible passage, Stack concluded the letter by stating:

“I write you these things in order to lift up those who have stumbled, or may stumble, and put you back on the right path.

“I pray you each have a great summer, a wonderful life and a perfect eternity.”

Though faced with pressure, the San Luis Coastal school district opted not to censor the publication, arguing Stack was within his First Amendment rights to author the letter and the student journalists were likewise free to publish it. The letter remains on the SLO High Student newspaper website.

The letter in its entirety:

Dear Editor,

I love the staff and students at SLOHS. My students know that. But I love God more, so in obedience to Him, I am writing this letter.

Without divine intervention it would be mathematically impossible to write a book filled with hundreds of predictions over thousands of years with 100% accuracy regarding their fulfillment, yet the Bible has done exactly that, with just a few prophecies yet to be fulfilled. Therefore, I have faith that the entire Bible is without error.

The Bible tells us  that we are all accountable for our actions, and that teachers are especially accountable. I’m a teacher, and I don’t want to displease God any more than I already have with my sinful life, so in obedience to Him, I’m asking you to please slowly read and consider the following excerpt from the book of Romans, Chapter 1, verses 16-32, in the New Testament. It describes a deception that has happened in the past, and is happening again right now, not only at SLOHS, but  throughout the world:

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes – the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and shameful things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, He abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them too.”

I write you these things in order to lift up those who have stumbled, or may stumble, and put you back on the right path.

I pray you each have a great summer, a wonderful life, and a perfect eternity.

Love,

SLOHS Teacher Michael Stack


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Great article. I agree, Christians and white men in this county are out of control, do i smell a cult inciting riots as well. I agree as well with the point being made, don’t judge books by their cover, unless your a teacher and homophobe and Christians, I agree.


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I’m glad I was able to finally read the entire letter.


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I have no problem with the letter being printed, nor do I necessarily have a problem with it being written. But when people decide to constantly shove this religious nonsense (in my opinion) down people’s throats at that school, and OH do they shove those beliefs down people’s throats, that’s what causes the reactionary behavior where LGBT issues become a thing in the school. Really, people should keep their views on these things out of the school altogether. (Note that I’m not saying that they should be censored by the school, I’m saying they should take it upon themselves to keep this stuff personal. Don’t want the LGBT issues to receive attention by the school, then tell people (ESPECIALLY the Grace Church crowd) to keep their nonsense to themselves.


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There’s absolutely no evidence of anyone [constantly shove this religious nonsense (in my opinion) down people’s throats at that school.] That’s just not accurate.


Pushing the homosexual lifestyle DOES however seem to be pushed — note the special homosexual edition of the school’s paper.


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The first amendment bars schools from promoting religion.

They can’t touch it. If they do they will get sued.


Title IX rules stipulate that schools can’t discriminate based on sex. Civil rights laws view homosexuality a protected class as well. The reverse applies… they don’t touch it. They get sued.


So school’s do not have a choice as it relates to either of these issues.


See it really boils down to schools being a good steward of their money, and avoiding policies that would encourage a lawsuit.


No conspiracy here–just good government.


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he amendment as adopted in 1791 reads as follows:


Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


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Stop lying. There is NOTHING in the Bill of Rights that prohibits writing a letter the editor about one’s feeling on religion of homosexuality.


“…Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or [B] prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”[/B]


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I think the photo on the cover of the publication is inappropriate and is sexually exploitative of minors. The fact that the photo is of a gay or straight couple is beside the point.


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He shouldn’t have been hired in the first place?? And where are the parents of students going to a school that promotes perversion and indoctrinates them in sexual deviance? I would have my students out of there in a heartbeat and sue for the district to pay for alternative education! School is supposed to be a place for education in academics not lessons in pornography:(


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I agree that it should not be promoted, and I don’t think that it is. But it is an issue that is discussed and accommodated too much by the school, and I say that as a gay person. HOWEVER, the reason for that, is because of the behavior of people like this letter writer. I don’t think that homosexuality needs to be an issue in school, and I don’t think that belief in what I consider to be ridiculous things needs to be either. The whole reason that the LGBT issue became an issue in the schools, is because idiots like this are constantly pushing their nonsense down people’s throats on that campus. It’s simply a reaction to that. As soon as these kind of people keep their ludicrous beliefs to themselves, the sooner LGBT issues will also be kept personal.


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Your intolerance of others is unacceptable. The law is not on your side on this one — no matter how hard to struggle to spin things.


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Recommended reading on Amazon:


Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination


1st Edition


by John Corvino (Author), Ryan T. Anderson (Author), Sherif Girgis (Author)


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“In our deeply divided nation, Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination is a refreshing and hope-inspiring book. Provocative, clear, careful in argument, searching in coverage, it shows that people who strongly disagree can both find much common ground and also articulate their differences with respect and care, fostering a community of reason. It will be a wonderful book for undergraduate teaching, but it is also challenging for people well-versed in the subject, whether they agree or disagree.” — Martha C. Nussbaum, School of Law and Department of Philosophy, The University of Chicago


“One of the most important debates in our time is that it of religious liberty as it relates to controversies over sexuality and marriage. Sadly, usually most Americans don’t have these debates at all, content to stay in our silos and never engage with those who disagree with us. This book is different. Ryan Anderson, Sherif Girgis, and John Corvino model how to hold strong (very strong) opinions while debating others with respect. This book will equip you, wherever you stand, on how the “other side” from you thinks. If American society follows the lead of this book, our culture wars won’t end, but they just might be kinder and smarter. That’s a good start.” — Russell Moore, President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention


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Respectfully paragon, Here are the corroborated testimony of Scripture regarding homosexuality:


In Genesis 19:1-11 the story of the men of Sodom illustrates the moral judgment made against homosexuality.


In Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 the author excludes from the People of God those who behave in a homosexual way.


In 1Corinthians 6:9 Paul lists those who behave in a homosexual way as those who will not enter the Kingdom of God.


Paul illustrates the blindness that overcomes mankind in Romans 1:18-32 and cites homosexual relations by men with men and women with women as an example of the result of disbelief and denying God.


Then in 1Timothy Paul speaks to those who spread wrong teachings and in verse 10 explicitly names as sinners those who engage in homosexual acts.


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So Paragon, if you think a creation story written about 25-30 centuries ago is a blueprint for how to live your life in 2017, you must condemn homosexuality.


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WHO CARES? The fact that you believe this stuff, considering the amount of manipulation that has occurred through the centuries, considering the questionable behavior of the church, considering the lack of reliable witness, considering the issues lost in translation, is just absurd to me.


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Chinaski:


Your statement regarding being excited that the consequences of speaking freely will be administered is a dangerous sentiment. You might be consequenced one day for speaking your mind too.


When we cannot listen to opposing opinion, even those we find abhorant, the end of the American system of government will be at hand.


We don’t have to agree with our neighbors, but we do have to respect their right to be heard, as long as the speech is not inflamatory or advocates violence. Mr. Stack’s comments were neither, even though they undoubtedly made some people uncomfortable.


When our system finally collapses and Fascism rules the land please remember your words about excitement over consequences being administered for free speech. I am sure some right wing nut will feel very much the same way as you do now.


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If he were my neighbor, I would respectfully disagree with him and probably tell my kids to steer clear of Mr. Stark. If he were a teacher at my kids public school, I would say there is no way in hell Mr. Stark and his extreme beliefs should be anywhere near my kids. Apparently many other parents feel the same way, and he will no longer teach there. The consequence of him speaking freely is that he is not welcome to be a person of influence around children in a public school setting. If I wanted my child exposed to christianity in a school setting, I would send them to Mission or some other christian school.

Is there any line that you would draw? If someone at your child’s school wrote a letter espousing Nazi sympathies or that pedifiles are just regular people too, would you be just fine with them in class with your child? Free speech right? Well, for me, I defininately draw the line at extremist religious convictions of any kind. Glad he spoke his mind, glad he was shown the door.


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You are so right. There is no place in public schools for this sort of radical indoctrination. I wonder how he was hired in the first place, I consider these ideas of his extremely dangerous to a free and democratic society. Religion should stay in the church.


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Don’t let this distract you from the fact that if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to financial compensation…


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LOLLOLLOL!!!!! Thanks demise, that was perfect! :)


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