Political naughtiness in Sunday School

This Sunday, the topic in Gospel Doctrine was on good old Jonah, who got the call from God to go to Ninevah (not Nivea, which makes my face feel smooth and soft).

The teacher was trying hard to give a reason why Jonah might not want to go to Ninevah, and maybe I shouldn't have been so snarky, but I couldn't help myself.

Teacher:  So, let's put this in a modern context.  What if you had been called to preach to someplace full of darkness, like Amsterdam.  Why wouldn't you want to go to a place like Amsterdam?

Me:  Free health care!

Teacher:  Um – no.

Me:   Dikes that actually work because they don't think that all big government projects are bad!

Teacher:  No, that's not it either.

Me:  Art?

Teacher:  I was looking for rampant drug use and sexuality.  Look, let's try somewhere else.  What if you had been called to preach in Iraq.  How do you think they'd treat you?

Me:  I know this one!  They'd welcome us as liberators!

Teacher:  …

My Lovely Wife:  John – be good.

Me:  Yes, dear. 

 If he'd have said "Vegas", I'd have been with him.   I understand the point he was trying to make, but it bothers me when perfectly fine European cities are considered dens of evil and iniquity.  Yes, they have programs that deal with sex and drug use differently.  But as long as they are actually implementing what Jesus talked about – feeding the hungry, tending to the homeless, then the other stuff I might not care for – but I won't think bad of them for at least focusing on the important stuff.

Of course, that's just my opinion – I could be wrong.