It seems that Danielle Mathis, in her letter to the editor of July 5, would condemn all students who make a mistake, and the Alternative School along with them, for offering students a second chance. I, for one, find that appalling.

We're talking here about eighth graders, children trying in their own misguided ways to be grown-ups. Ms. Mathis would have us banish children who behaved “immorally.” Perhaps we could just brand them with the scarlet “F” and shun them from the community at large? How ridiculous.

Ms. Mathis, before you sit in judgment of these children or their families, I suggest you recognize that no one person or faith has cornered the market on morality. I am not a Christian, yet I raise my children to be honest and ethical, and accept that they will make mistakes (as do we all), and when they do, I try to hate the behavior but not the child.

Furthermore, though I am no scholar of Jesus, I think I know enough of the Bible to answer the question, “What would Jesus do?” in this situation? I know Jesus was not a gay-basher, he did not pray pompously and publicly and, most importantly, he did not condemn the “fornicators.” In fact, when a woman caught in the very act of adultery was brought to him for judgment, he suggested that the one without sin should cast the first stone. When all the embarrassed, self-righteous people had crept away, Jesus turned to the “scarlet” woman and said, “Neither do I condemn thee” (John 8:11).

For once, I applaud the common sense and decency shown by this board in not condemning these students, and for giving these and other children another chance.

Meg Harris

Peachtree City

Back to Opinion Home Page | Back to the top of the page