Security on hand as Ontario school board set to vote on Gideon Bible ban
Extra security will be on hand when a public school board in southern Ontario takes a final vote tonight on whether to ban free handouts of Gideon Bibles.
Based on previous votes, Bluewater District trustees are expected to put an end to the handouts to Grade 5 students by barring distribution of all non-instructional religious materials.
The issue has sparked heated emotions, with some trustees receiving threats and hate mail.
The local chapter of Gideons International in Canada and some church elders have distanced themselves from those who accuse trustees of unCanadian and unChristian behaviour....
Dear Pastor Holden, While I am not Canadian and cannot speak on bahlf of the gov't schools in Ontario, I must tell you that it has been my experience that even if you attempt to make a change on the school board, it will be resisted and perhaps a waste of your time and resources. Your efforts would probably be much better spent building up your local home school efforts and families. Also, I am encouraged to know that some in your area are angry over this; I don't condone violence and hope you can channel the community anger into something constructive. Please keep us posted. You are in my prayers.
I am a Pastor in the local Bluewater region who was involved in leading the Evangelical community to request the school board allow the two draft policies (for and against religious materials distribution) to go through a system review. I am discouraged by the tactics of those who have threatened certain members of the board, and we have publicly made that know and apologized. They were in no way a part of our campaign for honesty, integrity and proper procedure. However, the board's tactics of ignoring the voice of the public majority and their own policies for procedure in reviewing/setting policy as mandated by their own bylaws and the Ministry of education was purely unethical as they themselves became the bully. Their conduct was appalling, especially when they condemned the voice of the public for being bullies. They proved to be undemocratic in their behaviour, even at the stern warning of fellow trustees. They have now created deeper distrust between them and parents. Their conduct will not be forgotten as we will endeavour to keep this before the public and move towards a mass change within the board at the next election.
I served on our local gov't school board during the mid 1990s to early 2000 and this over reaction by the administrators doesn't surprise me at all. In fact, I will say it's par for the course. Christian parents, please remove your children from gov't schools. They hate your God and they really don't like you, either.
Char wrote: My parents work for Bluewater. My mother is completely horrified that there have been death threats, temper tantrums and all sorts of rude and nasty behavior from those claiming to be Christians, over this. Every time anyone around me hears about the hate mail and abuse involved, the first thing out of their mouth is "well I hope it's not coming from the Christian side!" and then there is this great shock when the reply is "it is..." ... and right now so-called Christians are now stooping lower than anyone else. It's frightening to think of the damage done and you can only pray that people are able to see that no true Christian could ever excuse such behavior.
Excellent comment.
Sadly, distribution of Bibles in schools is near pointless as they wont be opened and read if "Christians" conduct themselves with such self-rightoeus, hypocritical, murderous hearts.
Same often applies to these forums too. Lord have mercy.
I feel that all Christians should pray on this disturbing issue and at the same time take a stand against this wicked ban from Satan. They have an opportunity to speak against this today when it is time to vote. As Christians, we should always speak out against sin. Always. But with love. The whole world watches Christians closely, ready to condemn because they are wicked. Christians are not perfect and do sin at times but we do not make a lifestyle of sinning--we continue to live the way Jesus wants us to live. Regardless of the outcome of this Bluewater district, Christians should respect their decision but still find ways to take a stand firmly but lovingly.
"Ban proponents argue distribution of the Bibles has no place in a secular school system, and that it potentially violates human rights"
Regardless of who is involved and how emotions are running high on this the fact of Canada's very "Liberal" conviction is a factor in many recent decisions. But Canada is not alone in this it is western-world wide the question has to be addressed by Christians everywhere. We observe a vivid and unusually large and growing attack on Biblical doctrine and values, the most obvious being the moral decline to validate the homosexual practice. The removal of Bible's, like the stopping of prayers, is simply symptomatic of the battle which is increasing in all spheres of Christian involvement with society and its institutions. This latest Canadian affair is also to be observed in other countries such as UK and the US, especially active in schools obviously trying to reach the next generation and eliminate all Christian teaching from future society.
The conflict has always existed and it is with Satan and sin, and it should be remembered is a spiritual battle. In recent times we have perceived an increase in combativeness and open hostility to all things Christian. And we are not finished yet.
But God gives us the victory in Christ. 1Cor 15:57
My parents work for Bluewater. My mother is completely horrified that there have been death threats, temper tantrums and all sorts of rude and nasty behavior from those claiming to be Christians, over this. Every time anyone around me hears about the hate mail and abuse involved, the first thing out of their mouth is "well I hope it's not coming from the Christian side!" and then there is this great shock when the reply is "it is..." People are always watching and closely observing people claiming to be Christians. Even in the lunch room, there are snickers if somebody claiming to be a Christian screws up just once and curses or is cruel, it's the big news of the hour. Any other colleague, swearing or being tough on others is accepted if not expected "oh that's just her personality type...." It's funny the standards are higher among those who are watching, for Christians than for other peers; and right now so-called Christians are now stooping lower than anyone else. It's frightening to think of the damage done and you can only pray that people are able to see that no true Christian could ever excuse such behavior.
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