Originally appearing in Tennessee Star

Associate Director Reverend Daren Mehl spoke at his local school district upholding the dignity of the children in light of the ‘transgender’ policy the school would pass. Daren spoke of the fact God has made them male and female, and it is harmful to tell kids they might be the other sex. Daren mentioned that the children are not spirits separate of their bodies such that they might have the wrong body and need to be treated differently. They were created by God intentionally as male or female and manipulating children with the transgender religious beliefs is confusing and harmful to them.

Daren Mehl, a father of two Osseo students and a former member of the LGBTQ community, explained in an interview with The Sun why he spoke out against the policy at the school board meeting.

“My motivation was to share my heart for children, which as a Christian, I believe is God’s heart for children, which is that God created us male and female,” Mehl said. “And to know that you were created with value. Instead of valuing the children for who they are, the policy will be teaching children that boys can be girls and girls can be boys.”

Mehl is the president of Voice of the Voiceless, an organization that works to help those who struggle with same-sex attraction. According to the Voice of the Voiceless website, they exist to “defend the rights of former homosexuals, individuals with unwanted same-sex attraction, and their families.”

Mehl said that, as someone who formerly belonged to the LBGTQ community, the mentality behind the policy can actually create depression and suicidal thoughts.

He said, “How horrible is it to think that your body is your enemy.” He also took issue with a specific statement within the policy, requiring the school to designate a “safe staff member.” Mehl said that the statement implies that all of the staff are not safe. While some board and audience members took issue with Mehl’s public comments regarding religion, he responded, “The definitions of the policy are, in a way, religious doctrines, just godless ones.”