Secular Group Demands Gideons Stop 'Proselytizing' to Children in Public Schools
Most parents would object to adult strangers coming into their children's school grounds to give something to their children. But what if that “something” is a Bible?
Freedom from Religion Foundation has sent a letter to the superintendent of DeSoto public schools in Mississippi to demand that the school district stop allowing the Gideons, probably best known for leaving Bibles in hotel rooms, to pass out Bibles in public schools. At the heart of the matter is a debate about how religion is perceived and what constitutes an acceptable expression of speech.
FFRF not only claims that Gideon International is wrongfully targeting children without parental permission, it also accuses the Gideons of being “religious predators,” preying on unsuspecting youth....
The Founding Fathers worked hard to build a wall between Church and State, q.v., Reply to Danbury Baptist Association, just so children wouldn't be coming home with Scriptures that their parents didn't want them exposed to.
I pointed out awhile back I bought a Bible that was given to children in a Methodist Church, and it was obvious this kid had no respect for the Bible.
1 Corinthians 13 11 When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.---NASB
Bill Grimes wrote: Couldn't disagree more, Jim. If you worked oversees in a Muslim country, your kid might actually come home with the Muslim Scripture. So why shouldn't we!?
Exactly my point Bill. The only counter to indoctrination with error is to give the children good Christian literature and help them to read it, even a Children's Bible with pictures would do. I've never forgotten the Ladybird books I read as a youngster...most thrilling!
Jim Lincoln wrote: Ah, but as I have often pointed out, and too bad a person who I suppose is an atheist has to do say this, and she really shouldn't have to, excerpt from article. What is interesting is that the Gideons give out either the AV or NKJV, which should make 90% of the Christian parents unhappy, "AV only" types will be in an uproar and any Bible other then the AV, and the "Just about anything but the AV" types will be somewhat irritated they have something else to take the paper recyclers if their kids get an AV. Fifth grade is still too young for a person to comprehend the Bible, something that the Gideons should realize.
Bibles should be passed out to adults only.
Couldn't disagree more, Jim. If you worked oversees in a Muslim country, your kid might actually come home with the Muslim Scripture. So why shouldn't we!?
John, U.K., why yes, it sounds like the Gideons are doing some intelligent, as long as it's the NIV of 1984, or earlier.
When it comes to explaining religion just giving a Bible to a child, is thoughtless at best and irreverent at worse. As with Jews, when Christmas or Easter comes up the importance of them should be explained to children by their parents and pastors. Just like the Jews explain passover to their children.
Exodus 12 26 "And it will come about when your children will say to you, 'What does this rite mean to you?' 27 that you shall say, 'It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.'" And the people bowed low and worshiped.---NASB
Quite right, the government did put in "God We Trust," on our money, which is the god most Americans worship.
The quotation I took from the article in my first comment still covers the situation, and 11th and 12th grade is as soon as Bibles should be given to children -- who will respect the Word of God.
It seems interesting that "God" is forged on our currency, engraved on historical buildings in Washington, recognition even given to God at the opening sessions of the Supreme Court of the United States and yet Bibles are forbidden from our classrooms? Where is this "separation of Church and State" that is always brought up? Is it engraved in stone in Washington? On some memorial? It's not in the Constitution, nor the Declaration of Independence. Where is the document that proclaims bibles can not be distributed in public schools? Would there be an outcry by this organization if an Imam gave out the Koran at a public school? Why is Christianity the headstone of the United States of America? Why not Mormonism or Jehovah Witnesses? The Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses were started in the 1800's after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Only because a few, brave, noble, praying, bible reading, God fearing, Christian men were willing to sacrifice everything they owned, even their own lives if necessary, was this great country started. So when they start saying "stop giving out bibles", "stop praying", "stop worshipping your Jesus", follow the example of Daniel, open your windows and give prayer and praise to the living God who gives breathe to the just and the unjust.
jpw wrote: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35 /[QUOTE]No indeed, the Christian who is a proven son, chastened of the Father, will not be separated from the love of the true Christ. He is our Way, our Truth, our Life. His children fear sin and offending their Father and Elder Brother more then tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword. They may be delivered from or delivered by them, no matter, their eternal inheritance is sure and more durable. Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35
jpw wrote: ..other countries who go outside of their churches and share the gospel is it that they are persecuted more or that they are actually the ones living their faith and most Christians in America do not follow Christ but the prosperity bell?
Most professing Christians, I may grant you that, but those who endure to the end shall be saved. Endure? Yes, their Father's rod. see Heb.12 and Amos 3:1-8
freedom to stay within your walls and listen to stories of the persecuted in other countries who go outside of their churches and share the gospel.
is it that they are persecuted more or that they are actually the ones living their faith and most Christians in America do not follow Christ but the prosperity bell?
wonder what'll happen when they face tribulation......lose hope? endure in the love of Christ? And who will pray for those who face persecution in America? When from the pulpits will there be an address to those who have held to their faith instead of compromising to make good with the world?
Jim Lincoln wrote: What is interesting is that the Gideons give out either the AV or NKJV, which should make 90% of the Christian parents unhappy, "AV only" types will be in an uproar and any Bible other then the AV, and the "Just about anything but the AV" types will be somewhat irritated they have something else to take the paper recyclers if their kids get an AV.
The Gideons give out the NIV in the UK, Jim. I hope that makes you smile, as you sound as if you need cheering up.
Jesus is the Way
Amen to your comment. If children are not encouraged to believe the Bible is God's word at an early age, and given perhaps a Gospel or New Testament, you can be sure the enemy of souls will provide them with literature which will damage them for life. Sure, it's happening already.
Able people have not realize kids needs to be saved too. If a person is serving a god that can only help the adult and not the kids something is wrong with that picture. The holy bible is what every person should read and obey the words in the text than you will see how better you and your kids will be mind body and soul. Those people are just trying to help your child and you know your child help and a little reading from the bible can solve the problems you and your kids face on every day life and the most important thing is to pray in Jesus name. There is power in his name only! Before you judge try it for yourself I dare you, I know their will be a change. May the good lord Jesus bless everyone that reads this comment
Ah, but as I have often pointed out, and too bad a person who I suppose is an atheist has to do say this, and she really shouldn't have to,
A.L. Gaylor wrote: Imagine if your kid came home from school with a Quran and said imams came to his or her school and gave them out....They’d be livid...Children are a captive audience and religion should be the parent’s role – not a stranger’s.
excerpt from article.
What is interesting is that the Gideons give out either the AV or NKJV, which should make 90% of the Christian parents unhappy, "AV only" types will be in an uproar and any Bible other then the AV, and the "Just about anything but the AV" types will be somewhat irritated they have something else to take the paper recyclers if their kids get an AV.
Fifth grade is still too young for a person to comprehend the Bible, something that the Gideons should realize.
NASB wrote: Matthew 7 6 "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Does not surprise me. We are at a time where you can talk about your faith as long as it says many ways to heaven. Remember the cross is foolishness to the unsaved. Remember people don't want to hear they are sinners and going to hell unless they repent from their ways. I must say I remember as a boy in school the Gideons came to schools once a year and we could all get a bible and then eventually we had to get a permission form then the Gideons were no longer coming to our schools. Now this is Canada its not Germany or Russia or even çhina. Its coming to the point where its not politically correct to say Jesus only. Our great leader lol stephen harper gives more rights to Islamic faith than to Christians God Save our Nations may our leaders repent and turn to you.
Pastor Greg Locke | 6/26/2008
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