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Hello St. John’s Family,
Earlier this week a story first reported in the New York Times was picked up by local news outlets, noting how a group of middle school students created at least 22 fake social media accounts impersonating teachers. Students at Great Valley Middle School in Malvern created the fictitious accounts on TikTok, a popular social media platform. These accounts were filled with disparaging content, including “pedophilia innuendo, racist memes, homophobia and made-up sexual relationships”[1] among teachers, and resulted in significant numbers of students viewing, following, or commenting on these accounts. While some students did face suspensions for their conduct, the Great Valley School District stated they are limited in how they can respond, based on the actions occurring outside of school and free speech concerns.
As I read the details of this incident, the aspect I found most troubling was two quotes obtained from students. The students posted an online “apology video,” again using a teacher’s name, stating the videos were intended as a joke that was blown out of proportion by the teachers. “We never meant for it to get this far, obviously,” one of the students said in the video. “I never wanted to get suspended.” “Move on. Learn to joke,” the other student said about a teacher. “I am 13 years old,” she added, using an expletive for emphasis, “and you’re like 40 going on 50.”1 Reading those quotes quickly revealed that the students involved have no conception of how wrong – and harmful – their actions were. The only concern they voiced was that they were suspended. That thought thoroughly shook me. Here are young people, receiving a quality education in an affluent area, who struggle to differentiate between right and wrong, and are only concerned about themselves. All while those in “authority” have little to no course of action to address the issue.
Interestingly, the Governor of Louisiana signed a bill into law in June that requires the Ten Commandments to be posted in all public-school classrooms. Oklahoma recently issued a directive mandating the teaching of the Bible and Ten Commandments in the statewide curriculum, referencing their historical significance. Some may believe that is exactly what is needed today: public schools teaching and reinforcing Biblical morals to generations who have little understanding of moral principles. I hope that proves to be the case.
Personally, though, I sense these efforts will have little effect. Why? Two reasons: one – youth today have little to no respect for or trust in institutions. Putting up a poster or hearing a classroom lecture about the historical significance of something will have little impact on the skeptical worldview that is pervasive today. The second reason, though, is even more significant: many parents today extend little to no effort in supporting the moral structures of faith or society – especially if their child could face consequences for breaking the rules. Yes, some acts may be wrong… but my child didn’t mean it… and it doesn’t warrant a suspension. Until society at large values faith, morality, and justice over the impact on their middle-schooler’s record, we will continue to read of events like those in the Great Valley Middle School.
All of which makes July 15-19th so important. Next week we’ll be blessed with children filling our halls, ready for an exciting and fun week of Vacation Bible School. A week where the grace, mercy, and love of Christ will not only be taught, but also modeled to the children and families that participate. Please pray for each child and family who will be coming here: may God’s Holy Spirit prepare and open hearts such that Christ’s love will transform lives.
This Sunday, we’ll continue our exploration of “Sacred Spaces” by reflecting on the very first sacred space humankind encountered. I’ll also slightly revise a statement I made last Sunday… as we’ll read how we humans are dirt 🙂… in a beautiful way! I hope you’ll check out Genesis 2:4-15, bring a picture or memento from one of your sacred spaces, then join me in worship on Sunday-
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
[1] Students Target Teachers in Group TikTok Attack, Shaking Their School, in The New York Times, July 6, 2024.
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