The New After-School Activity: Evangelism (Freeper kid photo in NYT for article)

The New York Slimes ^ | December 15, 2002 | TIM TOWNSEND

[VRWC_minion]

Just found out my child who is in this had his picture taken and is in the Sunday Edition of NYT. Don't know if its a group shot or by himself but would appreciate of a fellow freeper might be willing to mail me a copy.

[VRWC_minion]

Can a kindergartner tell the difference between math class and religious instruction if they take place in the same classroom, just minutes after the school day is over?

[VRWC_minion]

Schools do have a legal right to exclude controversial groups because of safety concerns if their presence at the school would be disruptive and dangerous.)

[Drango]

Dr. G. Davis Gammon, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Yale Child Study Center said that children have little judgment of their own at 5, 6, 7.

"Heather has two Mommies" is perferctly OK to teach 'em however...

[VRWC_minion]

"A little Bible teaching wouldn't hurt," Ms. Kerr said. "It beats being home in front of the T.V."

[gridlock]

bump

[VRWC_minion]

Similarly, can a 8-year-old make the important individual decision to commit to a belief system and pledge his or her life to Jesus?

Maybe not but they can sure sin.

[RobRoy]

>>Can a kindergartner tell the difference between math class and religious instruction if they take place in the same classroom, just minutes after the school day is over? <<

Yes, what exactly are they trying to communicate with that remark? Do they think the public school is more credible than the religious instruction. The assumption the statement makes is chilling.

[RobRoy]

>>Maybe not but they can sure sin.<<

I disagree. Just like you need to be a conscious human being to feel "pain," you have to reach an age of accountability for any actions to be considered "sin." I believe it is 12 for jews (hence barmitzva), but I'm no expert on the subject.

Here's a question: Is a nine year old that has never accepted Christ damned?

[Sonny M]

Considering how math is taught today, probably not. Heck, considering how much schools today suck, they probably don't know if they're in social studies, math or english (or espanol). Most of these kids though, from what I read, are there because there parents want them there, which is okay with me. I think the good news club is a good thing for the kids, if the parents are supportive. My only concern is about what happens if another group say a Nation of Islam group of some kind of weird pagan group or satanist group tries to do the same thing. There is a provision about the schools having a right to disbar or not allow any group that may be controversial and/or dangerous, but thats usually something that goes to the courts and I have absolutley no faith in our court system with its judicial activism. I remember a case years ago, with a muslim family killing one of there children because one of the kids hadn't converted anyone to Islam in school. I can't recall the year but I know it was in the early 90's. I do fear an Islamic group using the school. I would like to hear from Freepers about what they think is the best solution.

[VRWC_minion]

Here's a question: Is a nine year old that has never accepted Christ damned?

Talk about a loaded theoligical question. My personal belief is that God gives all a fair chance to choose to be with him for eternity. He might accomplish it by giving a written exam, an oral exam or he might devine what you would have answered had you taken the test.

As for sinning and accountability, I think you have the two concepts mixed as one when they are separate. Anyone that has raised a child certainly knows that children know what they are doing. I believe that Judaism holds the parents responsible until they become "adults".

[Denver Ditdat]

I do fear an Islamic group using the school. I would like to hear from Freepers about what they think is the best solution.

Allowing Christians to gather for religious instruction while denying it to Muslims is going to be a tough, if not impossible, concept to sell. Cue up the "Government establishment of religion!" news clips here, add an ACLU lawyer or two, and it will be a slam-dunk in court. The ruling will be for all religions in school or none at all.

Bet on #2.

[LiteKeeper]

bump

[Quix]

GREAT POINT.

And if the liberal hogwash was true about mindless young children, then they would NOT be bothering to indoctrinate them with homosexuality so early.

The hypocritical, duplicitous, manipulative, power obsessed . . . are at it again! No surprise. Sigh.

[flyervet]

I don't care how much you think public schools have downhill in the last several years, this is progress. When I was a lad, anyone who willingly stayed after school to go to church would have had the snot beaten out of them, profoundly and regularly.

[EdReform]

"Public schools should have the right to deny access to sectarian groups that seek to convert young children," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.

Well Mr Lynn, then groups such as GLSEN should be denied access, too.

[VRWC_minion]

Allowing Christians to gather for religious instruction while denying it to Muslims is going to be a tough

If the school is open it has to be open to all groups on the same terms. I know the town that this articles is based on fairly well and I don't think anyone would object to a Muslim group.

I also don't think anyone would attend either.

[VRWC_minion]

When I was a lad, anyone who willingly stayed after school to go to church would have had the snot beaten out of them, profoundly and regularly

This school is only up to 2 grade. And oh yes, they just enacted speciall bully rules that could kick in if you feel threatened. I can't wait to see how they administer this one.

[VRWC_minion]

Well Mr Lynn, then groups such as GLSEN should be denied access, too.

The real irony is of the four schools in town, there is no other school that attempts to avid any mention of God in all they do. Their "winter festival" last year had exactly 0, nada, zilch Christian songs while we were treated to Kwanza and Muslim and some tortured Jewish song.

About 10 years ago a teacher in this school made my daughter put her early reader's bible that she brought for free time reading in her back pack because "such books were not allowed in school".

I have no doubt that some God hating atheist who couldn't stand this class called on the reporrters in NY to do a story on it.

[Sonny M]

How did you do that color thing with the quote? I honestly have no knowledge what so ever with HTML.