Posted on 07/08/2005 6:49:24 AM PDT by summer
TALLAHASSEE — Just before Father's Day, Gov. Jeb Bush announced that he wanted every public school in Florida to host a Christian-based program designed to increase fathers' participation in their children's lives.
The program, All Pro Dad, combines a biblical foundation with the draw of popular professional athletes to promote the belief that "the father is the head of the household" and that men should rely on God to help them be better parents and keep their marriages intact. It also encourages Bible reading.
"This is a really great program," Bush said at a news conference last month, though he did not make any reference to the project's Christian foundation. "The response of this program has been a success, and I hope it expands throughout the entire state to every school in every school district."
But critics say the program, which has a direct link on the Florida Department of Education Web site, clearly has Christian overtones and is part of a national effort by evangelicals who view public schools as recruiting fields.
An official state Web site should not be linked to such an organization, said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Lynn said the link violates the First Amendment, which prohibits government from establishing a state religion and at the same time prohibits government from interfering with religious practices.
"This has a very clear religious message, so that's wrong and that should be stopped immediately," Lynn said from his office in Washington. "This is an overtly fundamentalist Christian worldview that's being promoted."
Program popular in Tampa area
The All Pro Dad program is used in about 60 locations in 20 states, including a dozen Tampa Bay-area public schools. Monthly breakfast meetings are held in school cafeterias or nearby Chick-fil-A restaurants. There are no active chapters in Palm Beach, Martin or St. Lucie counties.
Last month, however, Florida K-12 public schools Chancellor Jim Warford touted the program to the state's 67 school superintendents.
"I encourage you to go to:
www.allprodad.com
to get a free introductory DVD about the program and how you can get fathers more involved in your schools," Warford wrote in a June 17 memo. The memo does not include information about the program's religious orientation.
Department of Education officials defended the state's endorsement of the Christian-based program, but otherwise referred queries about All Pro Dad to Volunteer Florida, a Bush-appointed nonprofit agency charged with faith and community outreach.
"It's appropriate for the Department of Education to endorse programs that encourage parents to be involved in their children's lives. We would support any program that would encourage that," department spokeswoman Melanie Etters said. "The fact is that a lot of the people that participate in the All Pro Dads are NFL stars and they reach out to some populations that the Department of Education wouldn't attract."
Etters said the department "welcomes other programs" that would promote parental involvement in their children's lives.
But Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said Bush and the department's endorsement of the program is indicative of the governor's disregard for the state constitution, which prohibits spending state money, directly or indirectly, on religious programs.
"It may be a wonderful program, but a program that encourages Bible reading and strengthening your relationship with God is not the kind of program that should be sponsored by the public schools, nor should it be the kind of program that is organized and facilitated by the public schools," Simon said.
"From vouchers, from faith-based initiatives, to the nation's first faith-based prisons, this governor has a blind spot when it comes to the constitutional requirement on separation of church and state. He's completely uncritical. He doesn't believe that reading the Bible and strengthening your relationship with God is a faith-based message."
The Florida Supreme Court is now considering whether Bush's 6-year-old Opportunity Scholarship Program is constitutional. The program gives vouchers for students at failing schools to attend private schools, including religious schools.
Two lower courts have struck down the voucher program, declaring it violated the constitutional provision barring state tax dollars from being spent on religious institutions.
The All Pro Dad curriculum was created by Family First, a Tampa-based nonprofit "research and educational organization," according to founder and President Mark Merrill. It is being promoted throughout the nation, in part with the help of fast-food chain Chick-fil-A, whose founder, S. Truett Cathy, is a Southern Baptist. Merrill was tapped by Bush, a Catholic, to serve on Volunteer Florida's 25-member board.
Mulrennan Middle School in Valrico, east of Tampa, promotes All Pro Dad on its school marquee and in newsletters. The school also advertises the program on its radio and television stations, said assistant principal Matthew Diprima, who organizes the monthly meetings.
"This is something the school supports, and this is something that's fostered by the school," Diprima said.
He said the Mulrennan group meets at a neighborhood Chick-fil-A, which donates materials to the children who participate. The group uses the All Pro Dad Web site to choose topics for discussion.
Included on the Web site are tips for fathers, including "Ten Ways to be a Better Dad" and "How to Save Your Marriage."
Father called 'head coach' of family
One of the marriage-saving lessons, written by All Pro Dad Director Bryan Davis, coaches men to pray with their wives.
"God has joined you and your wife together. He is the Author of love and marital harmony. Deepening your relationship with Him is the key and foundation of a successful marriage. If you haven't cracked open a Bible in a while, start. Find I Corinthians 13 and give it a read. It's the perfect blueprint for your marriage," Davis advises.
A video introduction by Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, All Pro Dad's national spokesman, lays the groundwork for good parenting by establishing the father as the "head coach" of the family.
"That's the biblical way it's set up. Mom and Dad directing the family together, with the dad being the head of the household," Dungy instructs participants. "Now that doesn't always happen... but that's the ideal way and the best way, and that's the way we're going to function the best."
But the group's president last week did not directly answer several questions about the Bible's role in the All Pro Dad resources.
"Isn't that self-evident?" Merrill said. "A lot of the principles contained in the Old and New Testaments really are superior principles for raising children and for living."
I understand your concern. I think your support for government involvement is misguided.
It's the inner-city schools who most often have fathers who don't. That's why young men need to be trained to be good fathers.
True. Private groups will succeed or not without force based "solutions".
You must know there's no such thing as separation of church and state in the Constitution.
I know what the first amendment says.
That theory was written by Thomas Jefferson to a pastor in a letter.
Correct. And his opinion was a good explanation of an excellent idea.
Our earliest schools were formed by Christians, colleges as well.
Correct. All private.
The early schoolbooks were full of references to God.
No reason not to be.
We've come a long way from that, sadly.
It is sad indeed.
Sarcasm as a literary device to make a point. But it's moot. Carry on.
I would love to see the abolition of government schools.
Yes, when you said conservatives are partly 'kindred spirits' with liberals. Moderates in both parties have made Democrats and Republicans somewhat of kindred spirits, but not Liberals and Conservatives.
Conservatives are a minority subset of Republicans.... Actually, true conservatives are quite separate from any political party and are only interested in them in as much as they advance conservative principles. A real conservative will work for the election of any conservative person irrespective of affiliation.
Conservatives are by in large supportive of the Republican party but do support some third party efforts. They are definitely not Democrats. Conservatives work within the Republican party, but sometimes go elsewhere out of frustration.
And conservatives are consistant....Ummm, not in the way you suggest.
Yes, they are consistant to their values, maybe not your values, but still consistant.
They value God...Many conservatives on this forum are atheists. So, that seems to be incorrect as stated.
Many? I don't think so. There may be a few exceptions to the rule, but even those still value religious principles.
family....Many liberals value families as well.
Two men and a goat?
and liberty....I have met many on this forum who are uninterested in liberty. They value order more. They value "group interests" more when it comes to many subjects.
Certainly, that is because conservatives tend to value God and family above liberty. That does not mean they are uninterested in liberty, just they tend to put God and family above liberty. When you have competing values, they tend to have to make tradeoffs, but that is not being inconsistant. It is just a more complex value system then just viewing everything in terms of liberty.
Our schools were different when we were growing up. It wasn't all PC and sex education (i.e., homosexuality is goood, try it!) and political crap. I'm all for homeschooling and private, christian schools but private schools are expensive. Our church has one and even though it's cheaper than most, it's still costly. And some people are not cut out for homeschooling. My grandsons have suffered terribly from being homeschooled. My ex-daughter-in-law was not disciplined and they learned very little. All are having terrible times in school. I wish life could be as it was back when I was young, but it never will be again.
No I didn't. They are in some ways and I'm not confused about it.
Moderates in both parties have made Democrats and Republicans somewhat of kindred spirits, but not Liberals and Conservatives.
I disagree. Conservatives and liberals both advocate government force be used to achieve their respective goals. In that way, they are kindred spirits. Is George Bush conservative?
But how many of us can or would address the problem? I don't like government schools any more than any other conservative here. I don't like government interfering with my life in any way, but it's going to and will continue to do so unless we have a full-blown revolution.
In addition to your innaccuracy about the "crowning" comment (or do we call it "sarcasm") I had noticed how you had engaged in personal comments even though innaccurately denying it well before post #83 summed it up.
My husband was a good man, but an alcoholic. It ruined his life and harmed his children. I was harmed as well, but I'm stubborn and kept moving forward. I try not to think of the past but it does rear its ugly head now and then. I've tried hard not to have hatred or resentment toward him. He died an alcoholic and it was a real time of grief for me. I always loved him but it was hard to put up with that kind of life. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Going to church and getting involved there was my salvation. My children went as well, although none of them attend church regularly now.
True, but how they evolved was predictable.
but private schools are expensive
Actually, they are less expensive than government schools. By quite a bit I might add. (don't confuse being forced to pay for your children's education twice as being expensive. If you only had to pay for it once, you would see the difference.
If you have a comment on the topic, make it, otherwise, this personal nonsense is boring. Goodbye 'til then.
We need a full blown revolution. But it need not be violent.
It happened in the former USSR. It can happen here. But it will not happen if conservatives keep signing on to "programs". They are surrendering without even realizing it.
I don't like to meander all over the landscape. I've pointed out two areas in which you have been wrong.
You need to visit more threads. There doesn't seem to be any consensus on what a conservative is.
Many? I don't think so. There may be a few exceptions to the rule, but even those still value religious principles.
I'll ping you to the threads. You have much to learn about the different kinds of conservatives. I can assure you, you will have your hands full with the atheists here.
Two men and a goat?
A flip comment. Are you saying you don't know there are many liberals who value families? (They may be misguided in how to approach them)
Certainly, that is because conservatives tend to value God and family above liberty.
Again, you seem to think conservatism has something to do with religion. You are incorrect. Many conservatives are religious, but that is not the same as needing to be religious to be conservative.
I'm not the topic. It is listed at the top of the page. Comment on it if you have anything to add. Otherwise, it's just noise.
Yes, I have seen alcoholism ruin many a life. It's one reason why I have never touched it (though I don't care if others do socially). Yes, the Church can be a haven. It has been for me at times too in my darkest moments.
I don't know what I would do without Christ and my church family and, of course, my beloved husband/nurturer (the second one, that is). I've had a tough few years healthwise but they've all kept me going. Love, Mxxx
No...but Jeb Bush is. And you were wrong concerning him.
Also, you were extremely wrong when you claimed not to have engaged in personal attacks. So it's quite laughable when you accuse others of becoming personal.
I can see by your methods of debate that you are a person who itches to have the last word. So I will let you have it.
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