John Stonestreet – Page 34

Hong Kong Parents Struggle for the Hearts and Minds of their Children

Jan 10, 2022John StonestreetChinaChina

Parents, educators, the church, and the state all play essential roles within a society, but when the state goes bad, it can take down every other sphere with it. For example, according to a recent article in The Economist, “A struggle is underway for the hearts and minds of Hong Kong’s children.”

In August, the city’s pro-democracy teacher’s union disbanded, following a government crackdown that had called it “a malignant tumor.” Since then, the curriculum now “educates” children solely on the virtues of the Chinese Communist Party. Speaking out against these changes could lead to life in prison.

As a result, some parents have stopped talking about politics at home, fearing their young children will say the wrong thing at school. Others continue to teach their kids democratic ideas, at risk of government retaliation to themselves or relatives. As a result, tens of thousands of residents are leaving the city altogether.

It’s good that parents are aware enough to be concerned. Unfortunately, too many parents here fail to take seriously the ideas that threaten the hearts and minds in our schools.

Apple Removes Bible and Qur’an from China

Jan 4, 2022John StonestreetChinaBig Tech, China

Two months ago, Apple quietly removed a Quran app and a Bible App from its app store in China at the request of the Chinese Communist Party. Apple claimed in a statement they had to do it because they have to, quote, “obey local laws.”

This is the same 2.8-trillion-dollar company with an “Inclusion and Diversity” initiative that claims, without a sense of irony, to hold a, quote, “long-standing commitment to making… the world more just.” According to its American website, that means hiring a more racially diverse group of employees. That’s great. It’s unclear how that helps the 1.4 billion people living under increasing religious oppression in China.

This is a good reminder. When companies like Apple throw around the word “inclusive,” it’s because they see a profit opportunity. When companies like Apple are happily complicit in outright oppression, it’s because they won’t risk a profit opportunity. If the day comes when American culture gives Apple an ultimatum: either nix the Bible here or lose your profit, we need only look to China to discover what they’d do.

Men in Women’s Jails

Dec 27, 2021John StonestreetTransgenderLGBT, Transgender

*John Stonestreet, Radio Host and Director of the Colson Center*

Washington State now allows convicted male felons who identify as female to move to women’s prisons. No surprise but tragic nonetheless, reports are already emerging of biological males abusing and sexually exploiting female inmates.

One convicted child molester was transferred to a Seattle women’s prison after claiming to be a woman and changing his name. He’s now accused of raping a developmentally disabled female inmate.

A former guard told National Review that this predator was one of six men transferred there during his tenure. Another was also a convicted child molester. And all inmates must do to make the switch is convince an administrative panel they’re transgender.

California passed a similar measure, and already nearly 300 inmates have requested transfers… all men, no women. Now, prisons are reportedly handing out birth control. Ideas have consequences, bad ideas have victims—in this case, victims who can’t escape.