My name is Ethel Hermenau, and I am a Galloway School Board member however, I am not representing the Galloway School Board or Liberty in Prosperity in my opinions. I am speaking as a grandmother, mother and a citizen.
There is an old saying: “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.”
In a court of law, ignorance is not an excuse. And in life, what we choose not to know can sometimes hurt us more than we realize.
We live in a time when information is everywhere. At any given moment, we can be inundated with articles, videos, social media posts, opinions, headlines, and claims—all competing for our attention and asking us to believe them. But just because something is repeated, shared, or presented confidently does not make it true. That is why we must be careful about what we accept as fact.
When you see something on social media, ask yourself: What are the facts behind this claim? Where did this information come from? Is there another side to the story? Have I taken the time to understand it before forming an opinion? Because the information we choose to believe will ultimately shape the opinions we hold—and those opinions shape the way we see the world and the people around us.
A truly well-rounded person is not someone who thinks they already know everything. A well-rounded person is someone who is willing to ask questions.
Questions are not a sign of weakness or ignorance. Quite the opposite. Questions are how we seek understanding. They force us to slow down, look beyond the surface, and sometimes even challenge what we thought we knew.
I often think about Jesus and something that always intrigued me in the Bible: Why did Jesus ask so many questions? After all, He already knew the answers.
When He questioned His disciples, the Pharisees, or the people He encountered, He wasn’t asking because He needed information. He was asking for their benefit—and for the benefit of everyone listening. His questions made people think.
They revealed what was in their hearts. They exposed assumptions. They challenged people to examine what they believed and, perhaps most importantly, to recognize what they did not understand.
The Pharisees have always fascinated me for this very reason. They were leaders. They were educated in the law. They were supposed to understand Scripture, understand God’s commandments, and recognize what God expected of His people.
And yet, again and again, Jesus questioned them.
Perhaps there is a lesson in that for all of us.
Knowing a great deal of information does not necessarily mean we understand the truth. Being confident does not mean being correct. And sometimes the people who believe they know the most are the very people who need to stop, listen, and ask a few more questions.
We don’t have to believe everything we hear.
We don’t have to reject everything we hear.
We simply need to be willing to seek the truth.
In a world overflowing with information, wisdom is knowing that not everything deserves to be believed—and humility is being willing to ask, “Is this really true?”
Because sometimes, what you don’t know can hurt you.
And sometimes, the most important thing you can do is simply ask a question.
The passage you are looking for is Mark 11:27‑33 (also found in Luke 20:1‑8 and Matthew 21:23‑27), where the chief priests, scribes, and elders confront Jesus about the source of His authority.
Passage (Mark 11:27‑33, NIV)
27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him.
28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’
32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things”
The people entrusted to lead were supposed to shepherd their flocks, protect them, and guide them toward truth. Yet too often, pride blinded them. Instead of helping people who were hurting, they condemned them—accusing them of sin rather than reaching out to help them heal.
And then there was Jesus.
The Son of God stood directly in front of them. He spoke with authority, healed the sick, restored the broken, and performed miracle after miracle. Yet they dismissed Him because His authority threatened theirs.
Jesus asked questions—not because He needed the answers, but because His questions revealed hearts, challenged assumptions, and helped others see the truth more clearly.
There is a lesson for us today:
Do not blindly accept the status quo simply because someone in authority tells you it is right. Titles do not guarantee wisdom. Confidence does not guarantee truth. And leadership does not make someone infallible. Ask questions. Seek facts. Examine what you are being told. And never stop seeking truth.
When it comes to our children and our families, we cannot afford to be silent or simply look the other way!
Before I share what, I have been wanting to share, I pray:
“Jesus, give me wisdom. Guide my words. Help me speak truth with courage and grace. Open eyes, soften hearts, and give me discernment to recognize truth from what is false or misleading. Help me use my voice to protect children, support families, and bring light and truth to our public schools.”
I do not claim to have all the answers.
But I am willing to ask the questions.
And sometimes, asking the right questions or hearing the truth that comes out of another person’s heart, is where the journey toward truth begins.
The reason for this article below:
AUGUST 10, 2026 — GALLOWAY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
If you care about the future of the school system in New Jersey which ultimately effects the parents, grandparents and most notably, the children, and what is happening in our schools, PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO. (About 1;15 mins in public comment starts)
https://www.youtube.com/live/R65ST1AqY7U
There are clearly opposing views on our Board, and I continue to be amazed at how differently people can interpret the very same policies. That is exactly why I ask questions. A LOT of questions.
During this meeting, Board President Mr. Gentile, whom I respect, strongly criticized the NJ Family Policy Center (about 1:49 minutes into meeting), I respectfully disagree with his position.
But here is what I want everyone to understand:
If we are going to talk about outside organizations influencing our schools, then LET’S TALK ABOUT ALL OF THEM.
Who is lobbying our legislators?
Who is receiving taxpayer funding?
Who is influencing curriculum?
Who is providing educational materials?
And who is shaping what our children are being taught?I believe parents deserve TRANSPARENCY—not selective outrage.
There are organizations such as Planned Parenthood and Garden State Equality whose advocacy and involvement in education deserve the same scrutiny and questions.
This isn’t about left or right. It is about our children.
Don’t blindly believe me.
Don’t blindly believe the Board.
Don’t blindly believe social media.READ. RESEARCH. ASK QUESTIONS. FOLLOW THE FACTS.
Because once we stop asking questions, we stop seeking truth.
Our children’s education is too important for silence.
Parents need to PAY ATTENTION.
And we need to get INVOLVED.The time to ask questions is NOW—not after the decisions have already been made.
Below is information on two other organizations that affect today’s schools and politics comparing it to the NJ Family Policy Center. (information provided by the NJ Family Policy Center below).
Garden State Equality, Planned Parenthood Action Fund & NJ Family Policy Center
At a Glance
🏛️ LOBBYING & POLICY ADVOCACY
Garden State Equality (GSE)
- A statewide LGBTQ+ civil-rights advocacy organization.
- Engages in legislative advocacy, lobbying, grassroots organizing and legal advocacy.
- Has been involved in legislation affecting LGBTQ+ curriculum, student protections and anti-bullying policies.
- Also advocates before local school boards and government agencies.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ (PPAFNJ)
- The political and advocacy arm associated with Planned Parenthood in New Jersey.
- Engages in lobbying, legislative advocacy and grassroots organizing.
- Advocates for reproductive-health policies, contraception access and abortion rights.
- Supports New Jersey’s comprehensive health and sex-education standards.
New Jersey Family Policy Center (NJFPC)
- A parental-rights and family-policy advocacy organization.
- Opposes or challenges policies it believes reduce parental involvement or local control.
- Uses parent mobilization, school-board advocacy and legal challenges.
- Generally takes positions opposing or questioning some progressive education policies.
📚 CURRICULUM & SCHOOLS
Garden State Equality
- Supported New Jersey’s LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum legislation.
- Advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in school policies and curriculum.
- Provides or supports training related to anti-bullying and LGBTQ+ issues.
- Advocates for protections for transgender and LGBTQ+ students.
Planned Parenthood
- Provides sex-education programming and educator resources.
- Topics can include HIV/AIDS, contraception, healthy relationships, consent and LGBTQ+ issues.
- Supports New Jersey’s Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards.
- Works with educators and organizations on health-education resources.
NJ Family Policy Center
- Questions portions of New Jersey’s comprehensive sex-education and gender-related policies.
- Advocates for greater parental involvement and local control.
- Challenges certain state policies through advocacy and, in some cases, legal action.
🎯 HOW THEY INFLUENCE EDUCATION
| Organization | Primary Approach | School Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Equality | Lobbying, legislation, advocacy, training | LGBTQ+ inclusion, student protections, anti-bullying |
| Planned Parenthood Action Fund | Lobbying, advocacy, education resources | Comprehensive health & sex education |
| NJ Family Policy Center | Parent advocacy, school-board engagement, legal challenges | Parental rights, local control, opposition to certain mandates |
KEY POINT
These organizations use different methods and advocate for very different policy positions:
- GSE: LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion
- Planned Parenthood: reproductive health and comprehensive sex education
- NJFPC: parental rights, traditional family policy and local control
The important distinction for a school board is that outside organizations can influence education in several ways — through legislation, state standards, training, curriculum resources, advocacy, litigation and direct engagement with local school districts.
💰 GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Garden State Equality
- $6+ million reported in New Jersey state funding in recent years.
- Its educational nonprofit reported approximately $3 million in FY2025 revenue.
- Additional private and foundation funding.
Planned Parenthood
- FY2023: NJ Planned Parenthood affiliates billed approximately $6.9 million to NJ FamilyCare.
- $1.4M state
- $5.4M federal
- $5.45M FY2024 family-planning grant to Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central & Southern NJ.
- Approximately $6.04M approved in FY2025 for upgrades at 15 Planned Parenthood facilities.
- Important: These government funds go to health-care affiliates for eligible services—not to the Action Fund for lobbying.
NJ Family Policy Center
- Approximately $124,000 revenue in 2023 and $181,000 in 2024.
- Primarily privately funded.
- No comparable state or federal government funding identified.
🔎 BOTTOM LINE
- GSE: Policy advocacy + LGBTQ+ education influence + $6M+ reported state funding.
- Planned Parenthood: Sex education + reproductive-health advocacy + millions in state/federal health-care funding.
- NJFPC: Parental-rights advocacy + school-board mobilization + small, primarily private budget.
The important distinction: Receiving government funding does not mean those government dollars can legally be used for lobbying. The funding should be separated into government-funded services, private funding, and lobbying/advocacy activities.
�� Key Takeaways
Garden State Equality is the only group receiving multimillion dollar direct state
funding.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund NJ operates with large internal movement
funding, and Planned Parenthood health centers benefit from tens of millions in state
appropriations.
NJFPC operates on under $200K/year, with no state funding, making it financially
A CALL TO PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS
What threatens one school board member’s understanding of education may be exactly what causes another to stop, listen, and ask questions. That is why we must be willing to question—even when the answers make us uncomfortable.
We have lost touch with what is happening in our schools. Curriculum, standards, policies and training are changing quickly, and outside organizations are influencing education through legislation, advocacy, curriculum resources and training. We need to know who is influencing our schools, what they are advocating for, and how those decisions affect our children.
I am grateful for organizations such as the NJ Family Policy Center and the Pacific Justice Institute, which provide resources and legal assistance to parents, teachers and school board members. And I haven’t even touched on the NJEA—that conversation deserves one of its own.
But ultimately, parents and grandparents must get involved.
Read the curriculum. Read the policies. Ask questions. Find the original sources. Don’t simply accept what someone tells you—research it for yourself.
As Christians, we should be especially careful not to become so certain of what we believe that we stop seeking truth. The Pharisees were so certain of their understanding that they failed to recognize the truth standing directly in front of them.
Let us seek wisdom before judgment and truth before allegiance.
Our children are depending on us to pay attention.
This is not a call to fear. It is a call to wake up.
Ask questions. Get informed. Get involved.Our children’s education is too important to leave to someone else.
And for those of us who believe, we have something greater than any policy, organization, political party, or human leader to guide us. Jew and Christian alike, we have a roadmap to Truth. His name is Jesus. May we have the humility to seek Him, the courage to ask the difficult questions, and the wisdom to recognize truth when it is standing right in front of us. Jesus “the Greatest Teacher that ever lived and lives today”! Amen!
