“Let’s go look at the books.”
This suggestion from my sister is what drew us from the clothing aisles to the book section of our local Walmart. While she did her thing (aka started talking about Christian mystery novels), I glanced over the YA section.
Nestled between preschool board books and Harry Potter sat a fictional novel about the one and only Simon Spier. What made this boy special? He’s hiding a big secret… he’s gay.
It’s Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda.
You are still you, Simon. You are still the same son who I love to tease and who your father depends on for just about everything. And you’re the same brother who always compliments his sister on her food, even when it sucks. You get to exhale now, Simon. You get to be more you than you have been in… in a very long time. You deserve everything you want.
-Love, Simon.
Okay, guys. Let’s talk.
This book is written at a 2-5 grade reading level.
When I picked it up in Walmart, I was thinking, “Yeah, this is definitely not a book written for adults.”
A book celebrating two boys falling in love and attempting to turn it into a beautiful, wonderful thing is sitting in Walmart. For kids.
Let’s first look at the title. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda.
I’ll be totally honest, I did not know what the term “homo sapien” meant. Here it is:
“A superficial, judgmental, spiteful resource devouring critter whose vast brainpower goes mostly unused. Most members of this species have a strong herd mentality. Unfortunately, the loudest members of this species have more influence over the herd than the most intelligent. In all likelihood, it will have the distinction of being a species with one of the shortest periods of survival in the history of the planet.”
I had to read that twice. Wow.
This book’s mere title is implying that you’re either:
A. pro-LGBT
B. Embracing an agenda that is superficial, judgmental, spiteful, and stupid.
I have to say, folks, with everything I hear about LGBT representation being “positive” and “loving,” this does not cut it.
Let’s not forget this is written for kids.
You cannot say that this book’s first vibe isn’t aggressive. You can’t say that kids aren’t being bullied to accept and embrace the LGBT agenda.
I’ll just say this: I’m not going to be bullied into silence or celebration by the LGBT community.
This is wrong. I know I’m inviting the hate comments by saying this, but homosexuality is wrong.
The God that created every one of us and is the very reason we are alive and here today is against homosexuality. (Romans 1:26-28, 1 Timothy 1:8-10, 1 Corinthians 7:2, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.)
Therefore, I can’t jump on the bandwagon and wave a rainbow flag.
I promise I don’t hate anyone, and I would never treat someone badly for being LGBT. That would definitely be wrong of me.
However, I do want to stand firm in my beliefs.
We are an unpopular voice, but those who still believe in God-honoring relationships need to stand up.
Young, impressionable kids are at jeopardy. They are being pressured (to put it lightly) to be an ally or participant of LGBT rights. They aren’t hearing that there’s a God out there who has a strict plan and specific reason for romantic relationships between a man and a woman.
It’s all about feelings. It’s all about emotions.
Love, Simon tells people that they deserve everything they want. That happiness trumps holiness by a long shot. Who’s talking about being holy anyway? Feeling good is WAY more important.
Simon,
You are leading people astray.
Thanks for reading this post, and I hope you have a great night!
oh wow, a book like that in the kid section…that breaks my heart.
Wonderfully written post, girly! ❤ 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! Have a great night!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely agree!! I will never wake the rainbow flag! I 100% support God and His PERFECTLY designed relationships!! Keep up the great work Melani, keep speaking your beliefs, and not fearing what other people may say!! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Abigail!! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t say I agree homosexuality is morally wrong in itself, but I will say the LGBT community has become militant, strident and pushy in their agenda and are mostly made up of radical liberals! Having to insert themselves into everything, and undermine traditional marriage by making it less politically correct does get to me! To me, two adults in a relationship of either sex is none of my business on a moral level in of itself, but when it’s pushed on me or others, and affects children, such as same sex parents, I do speak up! Gay parents are like one single parent, as they can’t give the perspective of the opposite sex to raise well rounded children. That’s my largest beef with the gay community, is their denial over what’s best for raising kids such as two opposite sex parents! Being gay should not be a political platform, but a private personal choice. However, most just use it to push a liberal agenda and insert themselves into the traditional family and don’t allow any criticism by others! THAT’S what I don’t like about much of the LGBT community, their more militant aspects. I don’t mind if someone is gay, I only mind when it is pushed onto everyone else!
https://aladyofreason.wordpress.com/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Have a wonderful night! 💞
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so sad. I was writing a post similar to this about Target and their new LGBTQ section. It’s so sad, and so wrong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting, Kaitlyn. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, Melani! I completely agree with you. Kids these days can get so confused with all of the political agendas being pushed on them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! ❤️ Have a great night!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so upset! That should not be pushed on kids. I will never ever promote the rainbow flag or celebrate something that doesn’t Honor God. It also breaks my heart that whenever I see a rainbow now, I’m upset not smiling bc of the reminder of Gods promise. Wonderful post Melani! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Victoria! Have a wonderful night!
LikeLike
This is sickening and heartbreaking. It’s not judgmental for us to point it out when God calls it an abomination.
God bless you, Meli for your courage. Great post, as always!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Alli! I miss you very much! ❤️
LikeLike
ENJOYED THE BOOK AND LOVED THE COVER, CHINA
LikeLike
I hope you have a great day, China. Thanks for stopping by my blog. : )
LikeLike
It’s so sad that these books are intended for kids! This is definitely not Gods method for doing things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Hannah! Have a wonderful day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t get what you’re on about. Two people falling in love IS beautiful, regardless of gender.
Why do gay people offend you so much anyway?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand how you believe that love is beautiful regardless of gender. For me personally, I believe what the Bible says about homosexuality being immoral and an abomination. So as a Christian, I see same-sex relationships not as beautiful, but as a sin.
I wouldn’t say that gay people “offend” me necessarily, I just see it as wrong when their agenda is pushed in the media or on children.
Have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Disappointed to see something like that in the 2nd grade reading aisle at Walmart. We should be allowing children time to grow, mature, and then make decisions, not push a decision on them at an early age. Their minds still have to form and mold. The LGBTQ+ community is trying to reach younger and younger generations for their agenda and it’s not right. That’s not “awareness” or “promoting,” it’s an agenda. If a businessman wouldn’t waste his time promoting something to a five year old, why are they?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Zella! Taking advantage of a young child’s gullibility, naivety, or trust is totally wrong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post Mel! You’ve got guts, girl, and don’t ever change from that. 😉
LikeLike
Haha, thanks, Sarah! Have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Preach it, sister! Thanks for tackling the tough stuff.
LikeLike
Thanks girl. 😆 Have a great day!
LikeLike
Wow, I had no idea that this book was targeted toward young children. I thought it was only written for young adults considering the content of the book. That’s really sad. You’re a brave woman. Keep speaking out for the truth.
LikeLike
Thank you so much. ❤️ Have a wonderful day!
LikeLike
I definitely agree that book is aggressive & makes you feel like you have to choose “accept or be evil”. • http://www.youtube.com/emilyryann
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for visiting! ❤️
LikeLike
Hi Melani! I totally agree with you – and I cannot believe that this is supposed to be a kids’ book! I have a question for you, though: Some of my friends who call themselves Christian still support the LGBT+ community, and they wanted to watch the Love, Simon movie. We ended not watching it because me and my other friend who don’t support that said we didn’t want to, but I found it hard to tell them that I don’t support it. How do I tell them that without ruining our friendship and also what evidence can I give that the Bible doesn’t support it? Thank you and wonderful post again!
LikeLike
Hey Lydia! Those are great questions. It’s definitely hard to stand up for what you believe in amongst your friends. The problem I see is that the word “Christian” literally means follower of Christ. Not that you believe in Him, but that he is your Lord and Savior! Therefore I don’t see how someone who says they are a Christian can support an agenda that is called an abomination in the Bible. It doesn’t make sense. You either follow God’s word or you don’t! : D (I left some verses in the post- feel free to email me if you’d like to further discuss! melani.reflections@gmail.com.)
I would just say be courageous in your faith and if you lose friends for it, then you know they aren’t the friends for you anyway. Have a wonderful day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen, Melani! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kellyn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, girl . . . All I can say is PREACH. ❤
LikeLike
Aw, thanks, SG. ❤️ Miss you!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve seen this book in the card catalog at the library where I work (thankfully my branch doesn’t have a copy), and it looks awful. Sadly, though, this is pretty standard subject matter for YA books (as is YA books having a 5th grade reading level). What’s worse are the juvenile fiction books about gay and trans people. There’s a book about a transgender 9-year-old in the juvenile section at my branch. I don’t even have the words to express how much this saddens and sickens me. The average child is getting this stuff thrown at him or her from every direction. There are plenty of kids who wonder if they’re gay or trans who never would have had it enter their minds if it wasn’t shoved at them by schools and entertainment, etc.
LikeLike
Great job, Melani! I definitely agree.
Recently, my family went to the library and I saw a book in the children’s section about the LGBT community. (it looked like a picture book, and was most likely targeting an even younger audience than the book you talked about in this post.) Very sad. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right there with you, Liz. There’s a picture book called “Heather has Two Mommies” in my library. That broke my heart. What our babies are being exposed to! Very sickening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww…. yeah, definitely agree!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The whole term “Homo-sapiens” has been upsetting me as well with the popularity of this movie/book. I can’t stand how people are saying “Either you think homosexuality is great or hate us”, especially since the voting is done to make homosexuality legal, simply disagreeing is NOT hurting them. What I’m getting from the message of this movie is that these people claim to be against bullying people for what they believe/who they are but in reality are doing that to others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought it was just me noticing that anti-bullying/bullying thing! So glad others see it the same way. So sorry it’s happening, though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice post as always!
What was your source for the term “homo sapiens”? Because that’s actually just the Latin species name for human, I don’t know where the definition you listed would have come from.
LikeLike
Great article Melani!!
You can visit my blog to learn more about LGBT history.
LikeLike
Melani, I admire you so much! This was a superb blog post! Thank you so much for writing it. ❤
LikeLike
AGHHHH thank you for this I needed someone to voice my thoughts on this movie -_-
LikeLike