The Courage of Two Teens
Inspiring Examples of Speaking The Truth
When you dig into the Bible, you’ll find numerous examples of extraordinary young people who fearlessly spoke truthfully despite difficult circumstances or danger.
Take for instance, Queen Esther, who at the tender age of 15, stood before the mighty King Xerxes, risking her own life to advocate for her people. Knowing she could be killed for approaching the king unsummoned, she bravely advocated for the plight of the Jews. Read the story here.
And who could forget the young King Josiah, a boy monarch who led a nation steeped in idol worship back to the worship of the One True God, Yahweh. His bold vision to publicly read the scriptures helped lead God’s people to repentance. He was only eight years old. Read the story here.
But what about today? Are young people speaking up for themselves against the woke ideologies that are pervasive in our schools, businesses, and media?
Consider the remarkable story that recently unfolded in Springfield, Illinois. Picture a 16-year-old girl entering the locker room at the local YMCA, only to discover two men in the act of undressing after a workout. Troubled by this shocking encounter, she immediately reported the incident to the YMCA staff, hoping for a resolution. However, the response she received was disheartening—she was informed that “nothing could be done.” But this young woman was not one to be silenced.
Taking matters into her own hands, she crafted three signs bearing messages such as "Women's Rights”, "Biological Women Only", and "Safe Sport," which she then displayed within the locker room. Her intention was clear: to raise awareness about the imperative to safeguard the privacy and safety of women. However, instead of commending her for her bravery and addressing the issue, the YMCA chose to silence her voice. They not only removed her from the swim team but also banned her from the facility, absurdly labeling her actions as "hate speech." Let me be clear, my friends: what she did was not hate speech; it was an uncompromising declaration of truth. She will give a press conference on the situation on Thursday, Jul 13, 2023.
And then there’s the courageous action of Liam Morrison, a seventh-grader with conviction. Liam committed what some would consider a "thought crime" by simply wearing a t-shirt that boldly stated, "There are only two genders." For this audacious statement, he was promptly sent home from school, but not before refusing to remove the shirt. The reason cited for his punishment was that other students claimed to feel "uncomfortable" since they believed the statement targeted a "protected class" of individuals.
But Liam refused to back down. In a thoughtful and well-delivered speech he gave before the Middleborough School Committee on April 13, 2023, he challenged the status quo. Speaking to the adults on the committee he posed a poignant question, asking, "Who is this protected class? Are their feelings more important than my rights?"
Liam highlighted the glaring hypocrisy of the situation, noting that he never complained about the presence of pride flags and diversity posters throughout the hallways and classrooms of his school. Why? Because he recognized that others have a right to their beliefs, just as he does.
Take a moment to truly appreciate the astounding boldness shown by this 12-year-old, fearlessly speaking truth in front of his peers, their parents, and the entire school board. It's awe-inspiring to witness this display of conviction and integrity at such a tender age. I must confess, at the age of 12, my primary concern was playing Donkey Kong, blissfully ignorant of the issues in culture.
Liam's story serves as a powerful reminder that many from the younger generation are willing to challenge the status quo and defend their beliefs–even in the face of adversity.
The great Apostle Paul once counseled his protege Timothy, advising him not to let anyone look down on him because of his youth. It's a timeless message that rings just as true today. Not only should we not dismiss or look down on the next generation, we should become their cheerleaders! However, let us not relegate the responsibility of speaking truth solely to the next generation while we remain silent. Instead, let's rally behind these courageous young individuals, adding our voices to the chorus of truth.