Here are two examples by what is meant by double speak -
The first comes from a recent Assist News story titled 'Christian student suspended for sharing Faith sues: School District." Dan Wooding who wrote the article citing the Christian Post, said "A former student at a high school in Southern California recently filed a lawsuit against the school district after he had been suspended for sharing his faith."
Wooding explains the situation how a young student recently won to Christ, claimed he was not disruptive but was told he had to stop sharing his faith due to the separation of church and state and moreover, and told not to bring his Bible to school and given two days suspension.
To illustrate the double speak, the Grossmont Union High School District released the following statement on Thursday, March 31, 2011, in response to the lawsuit:
"The Grossmont Union High School District Governing Board and Administration fully supports and defends the Constitution of the United States, particularly the First Amendment provisions protecting the free exercise of religion and freedom of speech. It is also the firm commitment of the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) to provide a safe and orderly learning environment for all students and staff that is free of disruption to the educational process on each of its campuses." (www.assistnews.net)
On the one hand the school statement is whole heartedly behind the right to free speech. On the other hand, what's describes as a "free of disruptive" environment is essential to run their school.
A second recent example comes from Australia -
Australia's Federal Childcare Minister, Kate Ellis, dismissed as 'ridiculous' fears that under 'proposed' national regulations childcare workers could be fined for sending children to the ''naughty corner'' or for celebrating Christmas and Easter.
Minister Ellis was responding to a newspaper report the day before suggesting childcare centres could be fined up to $50,000 and supervisors $10,000 for sending disobedient children to ''time out'' or requiring children to take part in such activities as Easter egg hunts.
Dan Harrison's article in the Sydney Morning Herald quoted the Federal opposition's childcare spokeswoman, Sussan Ley, who said the regulations were ''bureaucracy gone completely mad.''
To illustrate the double speak Minister Kate Ellis said: ''The draft regulations do outline provisions which protect children from inappropriate forms of punishment while giving carers scope to impose discipline if required.'' (www.smh.com.au)
What does this mean? You work it out !
Little wonder the nation's courts are so overwhelmed with cases, many of which come from situations as illustrated in the above examples.
Proverbs 10 verses 31-32 describe the speech of the wise and of the wicked, and what immediately follows in Proverbs 11 is worthy of attention: "A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight."
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html