Posted on 07/23/2014 11:09:55 AM PDT by Faith Presses On
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- An evangelical Christian group plans to try to convert children as young as 5 at Portland apartment pools, public parks and dozens of other gathering spots this summer -- a campaign that's got some residents upset.
They've banded together in recent weeks to warn parents about the Child Evangelism Fellowship's Good News Club, buying a full-page ad in the local alternative weekly to highlight the group's tactics.
"They pretend to be a mainstream Christian Bible study when in fact they're a very old school fundamentalist sect," said Kaye Schmitt, an organizer with Protect Portland Children, which takes issue with the group's message and the way it's delivering it.
CEF says Protect Portland Children is a shadow group run by atheists who seek to dismantle Christian outreach. The group said its methods are above reproach.
"Children are easy to manipulate, we all know that," said CEF's vice president Moises Esteves. "We don't use any of the schemes and high-pressure tactics that we're accused of. Nothing could be further from the truth."
Esteves' group decided to hold its annual summer mission program in Portland because of the area's irreligious leanings.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
I’m sorry, I don’t approve. It sounds a bit predatory to me to target young children for programming of belief at a public venue like a swimming pool.
Planned Parenthood, ACORN, Democrat Party, Communist Party, National Education Association, National Teachers Association, HHS, HEW (whatever they called now), and all the rest. You know what? just add anything ‘government’ related to that.
"They pretend to be a mainstream Christian Bible study when in fact they're a very old school fundamentalist sect," said Kaye Schmitt, an organizer with Protect Portland Children, which takes issue with the group's message and the way it's delivering it.
No wonder the headline makes the Christians sound creepy. PPC is in Portland!
Return to the Old Path.
They have to compete directly with the pedophiles.
Not the way to do it - if anything, it’s a big turn-off.
Just because a reporter and an atheist group says this groups tactics are predatory, doesn’t mean they are. It means the reporter wants a knee jerk reaction from people reading the article and they got just what they wanted.
Groups have been doing this for years by inviting these kids to church functions or to Vacation Bible Schools. Sometimes they get the children to come, sometimes not. The real target is to get the parents to come to church to see their children do a skit or a play, or sing a song as a group, then the Pastor preaches to the visitors. That is the reality.
“I’m sorry, I don’t approve.”
Good News Clubs were the norm not that many years ago...
http://www.cefonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=13&Itemid=100049
Approach me, and I’ll politely tell you whether or not I’m interested. Approach my kids at that age, and I’ll just about anyone to get lost.
Maybe the reality is different than in the article, and the approach is to the parents, maybe not. But then my reaction would be more tolerant.
Mom and Dad should already be leading them. Speaking of God, Jesus, and spiritual things is not targeting or programming.
If their very own parrents deny Christ and the Supreme Court has banned the Bible from the classroom, then it becomes the responsibility of Child Evangelism Fellowship’s Good News Club to Save these children from the oppressive Godlessness of their family and public schools.
It is not only the right of the Child Evangelism Fellowship’s Good News Club under the First Amendment to save these children, but it is their responsibility as Christians.
I hope their Mission catches on across America and even more children are saved.
I don’t care what their message is, you don’t engage children in anything without the parent’s permission. Or at least knowledge.
You actually believe the stuff coming from the “alternative” paper?
This is meant as pure hate mongering propaganda and you fell for it.
I have a feeling what side you are on.
I disagree, when it is done by strangers who are much older and in a presumed position of grown-up authority. The parents should have a strong say in what their kids are exposed to when they are young, IMHO. I don't buy into a blanket exemption for anyone to that, even if they think they are bringing news of good works.
But then, I didn't notice this was posted to the Religion forum, where I post relatively rarely. No offense meant here... I'll take my opinions to News and Politics.
Agreed.
Secular Message: All expressions of love are equal, even if those expressions are by someone outside your family and might seem unusual. You can be secure that someone, somehow, someway “loves” you!
Christian Message: Jesus loves you and would not want you to be afraid, feel threatened or suffer any pain associated with His love for you.
You take the word of the leftist propagandists.
Are you naïve, or is it you have issues with Christianity and side with the anti-Christians?
“I don’t care what their message is, you don’t engage children in anything without the parent’s permission. Or at least knowledge.”
If their parents won’t and the Child Evangelism Fellowship’s Good News Club can’t, who will lead these children to Christ?
No need to be snarky. Tell me what you really mean--use private mail if you'd like.
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