A California school teacher has quit his job and left his wife and kids to move into an apartment with an 18-year-old student less than half his age.
The Modesto Bee says the teen's mother, Tammie Powers, has waged a Facebook campaign against the teacher since her daughter moved out of the family's home last week and into a Modesto apartment with 41-year-old James Hooker.
Powers hopes the publicity resulting from the 'James Hooker to Jail Page' will put Hooker in legal jeopardy
Hooker quit his teaching job at Enochs High School last week and left his wife and children, one of them an Enochs student, to live with Enochs senior Jordan Powers.Hooker acknowledges the couple hurt a lot of people, but says they decided to follow their hearts. Jordan said she knew that many people did not understand the nature of the relationship."[He's] my best friend. I mean he's more than just a lover," she said.
The non-theist individual often express religion as foolishness against reason while excusing away some of the more dangerous moral quandaries as 'products of human choice' and therefore not being 'immoral'... after all, who decides on what is moral and not? Surely not God.
This girl is of age, so according to Lady Gaga, she is on the 'right path baby, she was born that way'
Lady Gaga's songs do not go into the repercussions that choices have, like for example the 'predatory nature' some teachers (rarely, as most are hero's) may take with students. The destruction of a family is often not talked about as individuals explore every concept known to mankind to find fulfilment.
On more then one occasion I have been criticized (perhaps fairly) for not offering my opinion on matters, so for the purposes of starting a debate, here it is:
1. God giving us boundaries to live within is not a 'constraint' that is 'against us' or limits the joy of our lives. For example, God says, "Don't steal". That is for our benefit. The boundary is to serve us. Likewise, telling your daughter she may not touch the hot stove may be a crippling law the evil parent forces on their child (according to the curious daughter), but the reality is you love your daughter and desire to protect her: your rule is for her benefit. I believe God loves us and desires to protect us therefore his 'law' is good, for our benefit and to serve us.
2. Operating within the protective boundaries God set out brings life, fulfilment and joy.
3. The degree to which we step outside those protective boundaries often determines the consequences we face. I.E, God says 'be sober minded', we choose to take crazy drugs, think we can fly and test the theory off a 20 storey building. That consequence is different then if I am unloving and selfish towards my wife. Still outside the boundaries, but different consequences.
4. This man's (will only focus on him) actions are outside of God's protective boundaries on many levels (despite how catchy "Born this way" by Lady Gaga is). A few of the consequences are: lost job, destroyed family, deceived teenager being brought into his home and the stigma/stain of credibility on the school (I send my kid to be taught by you, not screwed/swept away).
5. I respect free choice. I am called to love people. I have no influence in their life and cannot try to help either of them directly. Typically, I learn how I can better protect my heart and family by being less selfish and operate with more integrity. I often look at a tragedy and try to understand what is going on, only to learn from it so I don't have to learn the hard way.
Lessons learned:
-the actions of this 'couple' were preceded by a thought. I need to take bad thoughts captive and squash them by talking to loved ones. I need to run to people not from people.
-My choices have the power to destroy a family. Wow. What a sober reminder that I have power within my choice. I desire to choose life: a growing relationship with my wife, kids and friends.