Boycott Target, Save the World?

Disclaimer: This blog post is not written in support of transgendered persons rights to use any restroom they choose. I do not support that idea at all, but that is a topic for another day. This post is written through the lens of seeing the inconsistencies of parents who want to protect their kids from pedophiles and predators, and yet are unwilling to do so on all fronts.

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When I was four, I was molested in my own back yard. On more than one occasion. And, again when I was five. And, six. And, seven.

When I was five, I was molested by a student at the public school I went to. Again, more than once.

When I was six, I was molested by a different student at the public school I went to.

When I was 13, a man more than ten years older than me who went to my church asked me if I wanted to run to McDonald's with him for a Mcflurry before church started. I naively accepted. Instead, he drove me to a local cemetery and crossed more lines than I care to admit.

When I was 21, I was sexually assaulted by a man I was dating whom I had no intention of being intimate with.

Maybe you're asking how one person can be taken advantage of that many times in their life?

Easy.

Parents look away. They give kids freedom to "be kids", and assume that nothing bad could ever happen in this "Leave It to Beaver" world we live in.

Wrong.

My husband has a similar story to mine.

And, so do millions of people across the world, some who recover by God's grace, and others who carry on the pattern and abuse because they've been abused. Or, just because sin. People, young and old, become predators for a host of reasons.

But, now, all of a sudden, parents, conservatives, and evangelicals everywhere are scared to death and boycotting because transgender people are *officially* allowed to be in public restrooms across the country.

Hmmmm...

Maybe I'm more aware of the facts and vulnerabilities because I've become a statistic on more than one occasion. But, I won't let my children go to sleepovers, public/private school, or public restrooms by themselves because I've seen the reality too many times. I've been accused of being a prude and a helicopter parent on more than one occasion. So be it. Not for fear, but for knowledge. There are wolves among us seeking out their prey. A quick Google search will tell you that statistically speaking, a child is more likely to get molested by a close friend or family member, including minor siblings or someone in their own peer group. The same goes for adults. You are more likely to be raped by someone you know or someone you are dating than by a complete stranger, namely one who cross dresses and thinks he's a female.

If you truly want to protect yourselves and your children, be vigilant all day every day because you know that there is evil in this world. Not because transgenders are now allowed and some creep may sneak in under the guise of being transgender and sneak a peek at you or your children. Transgenders have been going to their respective restrooms long before they were publicly welcomed by Target, and no one was loading their shotguns then. Don't pretend your homophobia is really some plight to protect your kids. If you want to protect your kids, THEN PROTECT THEM. Guard their bodies, and their minds, and their hearts. Guard them from the television and the computer and cell phone where they can get sucked into a pornography addiction that can wreak havoc on their young minds just as much as being sexually assaulted can. Provide supervision even in "safe" environments. But, boycotting Target won't deter a pedophile or an aggressive curious teenager or child from having their way with your son or daughter while you aren't watching. I, personally, don't shop at Target for other reasons. Their advertisements of half dressed women are just not something I want to expose my husband or sons to. Target hasn't been a "family" store for a very long time, but now you're offended because it taunts your temptation to hate, and you're giving in.

Your hatred of them for being transgender is just as foul.

Christians have to wake up and see themselves in others. People are lost, separated from God, far and wide. And, you're complaining about the bathroom policy of a store that has been trying to rip apart gender roles and biblical family values for years.

Unless you are willing to reach out to that transgender person and love them, and build a relationship with them, and boldly share Christ with them, then back off. Stop spotlighting sins that you find offensive. The most loving thing you can do for a lost person is share the gospel with them and pray for their salvation and let the Holy Spirit do his work if he so chooses. But, you're not going to save the world by not going to Target.