A former teacher and student at Citipointe Christian College say school’s religious dogma left them scarred

Former students and teachers at a Queensland Christian college engaged in a crisis over a potentially illegal parent contract that specifies homosexuality and transgender pupils will not be permitted to say their time there left them with long-term mental health difficulties.

“As a 13-year-old, you believe that the adults in your life tell the truth and that you are the owner of that truth.” I had a feeling there was something wrong with me. “I believed I had to hide this now, I had to keep it a secret.”

Dan confided in a priest in Year 12 after becoming increasingly perplexed and ashamed as the years passed and was met with a “terrible reaction.”

Advertisement

“I was referred to one of the church’s pastors, who put me through prayer counseling, but it was effectively conversion therapy, which aimed to encourage me to convert straight and stop being attracted to males.” I had to adjust my behavior in a variety of ways, and I was aware that I was being watched.”

In his 30s and out gay, Dan describes his religious education at the institution as a continuous process of “undoing.”

“Things that were supposed to create my education instead attacked the core of who I was, causing me trauma and harm.” That was intended to be a learning environment.”

“You can’t truly ever get rid of those ideas and sentiments; Also, you just have to learn to work around them and live with them.” Counselors and therapists can be consulted, but the damage has already been done. You must find a way to move on without allowing it to impact your future relationships negatively.”

Citipointe Christian College is mired in a controversy over a new contract and sent to parents just days before the start of the new academic year. The Pentecostal Christian Church’s beliefs are taught.

Parents were given a week to sign the new contract, which some legal experts believe violates anti-discrimination legislation in Queensland.

According to Terry

Terry says he’s connected with several former Citipointe kids and staff. And all of whom struggle with a deep sense of humiliation.

“I understand what you’re going through. You’re in pain because you don’t feel respected, you’re ashamed, and you’re guilty. “A sinner who is unable to be forgiven.”

Terry and Dan anticipate a mixed response from the school community to the contract. “Parents can say, ‘I want my child to go to this school because it aligns with our views. Also, but the children don’t have much of a voice,” he explained.

On Monday, supporters and members of the LGBTIQ+ community gathered outside the school to show solidarity.

According to SBS

According to SBS News, the paper has been characterized. Also, as overtly homophobic and transphobic. It is also comparing homosexual and bisexual actions to bestiality and pedophilia.

In addition, the contract stipulated that the school will only recognize a student’s gender assigned at birth, not their gender identity.

“The College believes that when God created each individual, he gave them their gender, male or female, in his divine love and wisdom. As a result, the College recognizes a person’s biological sex at birth and requires gender-neutral behaviors.

In just two days, a petition on Change.org has gathered over 70,000 signatures to show Citipointe that “we will not stand for such obvious transphobia or homophobia.”

Dan says he’s not surprised by the contract because religious ideas significantly influenced the school. Still, he’s nonetheless concerned about the harm religious doctrine presented as education does young people. It’s harmful on several levels. There is a pervasive fear of human sexual nature. That kind of teaching is awful.”

Terry (an alias) worked at the school for eight years. He claims he is still paying the price for his upbringing’s Christian ideals. Also, he claims it denied him his genuine self. “Growing up in Queensland in the 1980s, being gay felt like an enormous humiliation, a basic disdain for who you are.”

Claims of Terry

Terry claims he had a sense of belonging and had a positive time there.

He had a nervous breakdown and, for the first time, told a psychiatrist that he was gay. It made him realize the harm he’d caused himself by hiding his actual nature for so long. While he has accepted himself, he admits that he is still dealing with challenges.

“Right now, I’m taking antidepressants and anxiety medications. When you don’t live truly for a long time, you pay a price. The decision to be straight was the most difficult I’ve ever made, and it’s ultimately unsustainable.”