One of the big reasons I homeschool is to spare my children the school-yard conversion tactics.
Sometimes this is a difficult discussion to have. Many Christians have a fundamental lack of understanding, as to how their conversion tactics can annoy and offend other people. Many take this and believe that if they as individuals offend you with their attempts, that it must be that YOU are anti-Christian, and not perhaps because they are ham-handed in their delivery.
Not that being delicate is going to make me more receptive to conversion. It will however increase the likelihood that I won't feel totally offended and insulted. Adult Christians rarely get this right. Imagine how children screw this up. But more on that later.
I have friends who are Christian. They are very strong in their faith. There are things that we differ on greatly--faith being one of those things. But what sets them apart from other Christians who annoy me, is that they have the grace to leave my children alone, with respect to attempts to convert. They also leave me alone. They will explain their position with regards to some matters when appropriate. But rarely do I see them having a need to dominate entire discussions with a belligerent faith.
I went to a school, years ago, in an area where even though it was a public school, it wasn't all that unusual to hear regular discussions in class between teachers and students about the upcoming, much anticipated Armageddon!
YIKES!
All the Christian rage was focused on that "ROCK & ROLL MUSIC!" and how if you play it backwards, you could hear occult messages from hell. Then later it was Ouigi Boards and Dungeons and Dragons. Christians always had an excuse for why the world was so screwed up, and it never involved something they were in to. Like tales of cannibals in certain tribal areas, it was always the neighbors who did such reprehensible things, but never "The People"---never "The Christians."
Back to my non-annoying Christian friends. My kids are naturally curious about what makes people tick, and that includes religion. So I let them go to church with this family. I let them ask these friends whatever they want, knowing that the kids and the parents will answer truthfully and genuinely, what they believe and why. This is to me is an extension of social studies.
Just like when my kids hung out with some Buddhist Monks. They had all sorts of questions.
When we go see some friends who are Jewish. They get the Old School version of the Old Testament.
There are lots of lessons transmitted in these talks and tales and in observing these people of faith and interacting with them. And this is done with the mutual understanding that no one is going to try and convert [read insult] anyone else.
That when we are guests in their home or church, we abide by their rules to show respect and gratitude to our hosts for their hospitality and friendship.
But in the schools it's different. Your presence in a school means that some people can choose to utilize your location--you suddenly become--as the courts say, a Captive Audience.
Honestly I don't think that "Audience" really does justice to your position. More like a hostage.
Sure no one is holding a gun to your head, but, it is not unusual for kids of one faith to bully children who are of a minority faith, or an Atheist.
Not going to the same church as everyone else, or not being generally, Christian like everyone else, singles you out.
It makes you different. And not in a good way. I have witnessed this personally, and I have witnessed this with relatives who were of a school age, with children of acquaintances, and years ago, dug up a whole lot of stories about religious minorities being picked on schools.
Then I read this story at Truthout:
http://truth-out.org/...
The 4- to 14- Year-Old Window: Turning Children into Evangelists in the Public School.
This isn't necessarily an issue that is equally distributed throughout the country. I imagine that in Bible belt states, this issue might be more prevalent than in some more progressive areas. However, this story indicates some organization. Not that THAT is anything new either. But still-worthy of note.
When you live in an area where behavior like this happens, it can be quite disturbing. Some years ago, I remember when a See You At the Pole Event happened in a local school. Students participating in this event decided to write down student's names who were Gay [and maybe some unsaved kids] and nail these pieces of paper to a wooden cross propped up on school grounds later. After which students would pray fervently that these people be un-Gay-ified and/or saved by some miraculous holy intervention.
It was down right creepy. But the creep factor was completely lost on the kids. With what appeared to be no adult guidance, or worse, Poor-adult guidance, they couldn't see how disturbing the symbolism of their acts were regarding this event. All that was missing in my mind was a beef's tongue and some iron nails.
Bippity Boppity Boo!
Other kids are singled out for crossing their teachers regarding Intelligent Design and Creationism. That happened to a local girl in an elementary school not too long ago. Apparently she was the subject of angry sermons. I didn't see anything in writing, but still--isn't that enough?
Intelligent Design isn't just about belief in a higher power, it is about proselytizing Christianity in the Science Classroom. No one thus far has said, that I.D. could also represent the awesome creation-powers of Odin, or Ba'al or the Rainbow Serpent. So the unlawful and unethical nature of teaching this in a public school isn't just [only] that it favors religion over non-religion, but that it is promoting one particular religion at that---on the Tax Payer's dime.
Back to the kid in the Science Class--that kid was standing up to a teacher-just so we are clear. I got no word whether there were any other problems after that.
I have come across more than a few stories regarding kids that pissed the choral teacher off over Holiday Programming. Apparently asking if the choir can sing non-religious songs in addition to the usual Christian fare is a cardinal sin in some places.
Some schools will have preachers or churches plan special days for the kids during the school day. Your kid needs a permission slip to go. If you refuse to sign, your kid missed out on the proselytizing, but also the games, pizza, AND they are usually kept in a room at the school, to do busy work. Maybe later the other kids will give them a hard time for not being able to go. If it gets out that mom and dad are the wrong religion or non-religious, best get ready to assume the position.
The story linked to is exactly the kind of crap that was espoused in the 80s and 90s too. It's in large part, one of *THE reasons that our schools are so embroiled in political theater [with a small p].
"Prominently displayed in one CEF booth, in blown up letters, are the words of the renowned nineteenth-century English preacher Charles Spurgeon: “A child of 5, if properly instructed, can as readily believe and be as regenerated as anyone.”"
Reading stuff like this, ruminating in the nostalgia of the bad old days, really sometimes causes me to question what my property taxes are going to?
Often, when I am out in the world or on the internet and I see all these tentacles of the "Culture War" it makes me question whether or not my tolerance and kindness isn't somehow being misinterpreted by some folks as permission to treat me like a door mat.
Do you ever feel that way?
“I used to teach Sunday school. But when I heard that you can go to a public school and share the gospel with kids who have never heard about God, I got really excited!”
Reading comments like this in the story, doesn't bring out the best most, mature aspects of my personality. In fact, I sort of want to set up a Free Fortune Telling Tent right next to the playground.
After all, fair is fair. And Teach both sides and all that bunk!
Not really, but could you imagine? Could you imagine the drama that would ensue if that were to happen? Tarot Cards, Palm Readings, Astrology Charts, Spirit Channeling! We could mix it all up with Spooky Action at a Distance lectures and call it "Science"!
Read more:
What I am reading in this story is that there is a big happy plan to scare kids into religion with discussions of hell and the angst-filled emptiness achieved in the absence of that particular god---read abyss or pit!
And then hand the kid a free bible and tell them that this god wants them to be bible-believing-church-goers right after you give them nightmares about being tossed into a pit with one third of the angels.
And best of all--to do it in a school. Yippee! It will be like a one-stop-shopping experience! All the converts you need located in one handy-dandy building, unable to leave, forbidden from talking back. And you say you are a teacher? You can manipulate their grades, hell why stop there--You can manipulate the entirety of their school experience!
If little Timmy or Sally give you any lip and they happen to fail while being bullied and teased for not going to your church--well that's just how the Christ-Cookie crumbles! Salvation and Relief are only a conversion away!
Ethics? What are those? They flew out the window years ago! Jesus keeps them in a jar of formaldehyde on the mantle next to all those aborted fetuses!
Honestly, I think that CEF and associated churches should be taxed, if they insist on sending missionaries into public schools.
And beyond that...
Yikes on so many levels.
Spiritual hostage taking is such a drag. Any being that has to threaten you with eternal solitude and/or damnation in order to acquire your "love" and devotion is not there for you. And clearly that being really only wants your fear and obedience. Those are two things that should never be conflated with love and devotion.
“Children can reach other kids with the gospel message so easily,” she exclaims.
Yes they can. Bullying in the name of Christ is a great fun game. Just ask the children targeted.
If you get wind of CEF agents in your schools up to no good. I suggest writing a complaint to your local chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State http://au.org
Make sure you document what happens. Include names, dates, times, classes, witnesses, quotes or save those flyers if they pass out stuff.
This crap has got to stop.
Church needs to stay in church.
If not, then they need to be taxed.
Some people out there in the world need to learn that Tolerance of their Beliefs isn't an invitation for them to bully us or our children with those same beliefs!
If you are a Christian, and these accounts bother you, then speak up. Lead by example. Don't be silent, they are taking your name in vain too.
I am and have always been willing to defend and uphold their right to be Christians; to practice their Freedom of Religion. However, that doesn't mean that in doing so, that I give up my personal right to Freedom of Religion, nor my personal civil right to Freedom from Religion.
I am not asking them for anything, that I myself am not willing to give.