Southern Baptists Boycotting Public Schools!

[CindysGusGus]

The Southern Baptist Convention is considering Boycotting public schools. I live in a very conservative town (Jerry Falwell ring a bell) and I think this may be happening all over the bible belt. I work in a Christian org. so please dont take this the wrong way.
The reason they say they will be boycotting is the lack of God in Public schools. For some reason I thought this was because of the separation between church and state?? I thought, again, this was why there were private schools...so people could worship their God. Again I am Christian but also believe that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and not have someone elses forced upon them. What about the students who are Jewish, etc...does what they believe not matter because the majority of the south is Christian?? What is your opinion on the subject? BTW from what I understand...Jerry's son Jonathan has chose not to partake in this boycott.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

They state that they are boycotting because "lack" of God in public schools? Hmmmm....interesting since it is a known fact that God will NOT be taught in public schools.

Sounds like a ruse to get kids to private schools, at least to me. But I am always the cynic and think they are just trying to up the membership. Maybe they are losing members of the "flock"? This is a way to get them back????

 

[MHopkins2]

Uh, oh darn?

 

[dennis99ss]

Maybe if enough people of belief would actaually put some money where ther mouth is, and put their kids in private schools, we would have a better world.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I think the historical aspects of all religions should be taught in public schools to teach kids respect and understanding of the many different faiths people have.

But I presume that is not what the Southern Baptists are upset about. If they want their god taught in school then they should send their kids to private baptist schools.

 

[CindysGusGus]

I was at my Dtwins school recently for an awards ceremony and they had everyone bow their heads and prayed to God. I really thought that was weird and got a strange look on my face. I just felt bad for the parents there that werent Christian and how alienated they must have felt. Whatever happened to moment of silence?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by CindysGusGus
I was at my Dtwins school recently for an awards ceremony and they had everyone bow their heads and prayed to God. I really thought that was weird and got a strange look on my face. I just felt bad for the parents there that werent Christian and how alienated they must have felt. Whatever happened to moment of silence?

Did they specify which God? I mean, I would think as long as it didn't say pray to Jesus, it would be fine. I would have probably said please take a monet to observe a moment of silence, or pray to god if you so choose.

 

[debster812]

Originally posted by dennis99ss
Maybe if enough people of belief would actaually put some money where ther mouth is, and put their kids in private schools, we would have a better world.

Private Schooling will make the world a better place?

Since when does a student getting a Private School education make the world a better place? Both I and my husband are products of different public schools. We are raising a son who will turn out (I hope) to be a good man. We volunteer, we go to church, we donate to the charities that strike a chord with us (Dana Farber Cancer Inst & and a local battered women's shelter), and I hope, in our own way, are making our little corner of the world a tiny bit better.

Now, I certainly do not argue that there are some problems in the Public School systems, but there are certainly plenty of problems in some private schools as well. Our son will be attending our Public School system (just finishing up Grade 1) unless something drastic changes.

OK--I'm getting off my soapbox know, before I get ALL riled up.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Uh, oh darn?

ITA.

BTW, isn't that what you are supposed to do if you are of the belief that God should be taught in the classroom? I have no problem at all with a church urging it's members to enroll in schools where religion is taught.

It is when they try to change the Public schools to suit their own particular religious doctrine that I get very concerned.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Doesn't surprise me at all... the lines of seperation of church and state has been getting more and more blurry for the SBC for the last 20 years... I saw this coming.

Yet another reason why I'm not SB anymore =)

NOTE-remember that SB churches are autonomous and can choose whether or not to participate, theoretically. =)

 

[southernclass]

Originally posted by dennis99ss
Maybe if enough people of belief would actaually put some money where ther mouth is, and put their kids in private schools, we would have a better world.

Perhaps not everyone who wants the best for their children has the money to do that. I am sure they would if they could but there are many good people who are very poor due to death of a spouse, fire, etc. Should their children suffer for that??

I am a fan of home school, which is what I intend to do when I give birth. My children are with their father and he does an excellent job making sure they grow up in God.

I don't think these people should boycott because that usually just tends to produce the opposite results, I think they should just try home school, it is still free if you attend a public school.

Even God knows that you cannot really concentrate on your class work if you are dancing around praising him. Their is still a practical side to christianity and if you want a successful life, you need balance. You are not going to get good grades if all you ever do is sit in a corner and read your bible. God will only do so much and he expects you to do the rest.

 

[alabamaalan]

I was about to make the same clarification as to the autonomy of local churches.

Also, the statement about public schools is a resolution which is defined on the SBC website as:

Resolutions

A resolution has traditionally been defined as an expression of opinion or concern, as compared to a motion, which calls for action. A resolution is not used to direct an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention to specific action other than to communicate the opinion or concern expressed. Resolutions are passed during the annual Convention meeting.

In other words, it's some delegate wanting to voice an opinion but there is no call to action for SBs to yank their kids out of public schools (that I am aware of)

This is another of those things stated at the convention that gets a lot more coverage in the media then ever even mentioned at a typical SB church.

In my case, my children do attend a Christian private school but that is my choice and did not come from my church. I am Southern Baptist, but since I am a Mason and plan to visit WDW again, I obviously ignore the resolutions as do most members, I suspect.

Here is a story posted from Baptist Press:

Not a lot of support for resolution

 

[Broken8ball]

First.... I am not a Southern Baptist but a historian by training.

There is no "Separation of Church and State" anywhere in the constitution. One of the Bill or Rights states that there shall be no "Official" or "State" religion. Our founders were deeply religious men and the belief in God permeated our early society and govenrment.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, England was a heirarchical society with a tightly entwined religion. The Church Of England was the official church. Wars had been fought within England over theological matters.

The majority of the early settlers were members of disenfranchised religious groups (Puritans in Mass Bay, Quakers in Penn, Catholics under Lord Baltimore etc). By the eve of the revolution, however, those controlling the power in the country were appointees of the King and members of the Church of England. Seating and power at these churches was based on social position.

The heart of the rebellion were the merchants who would never gain power in the old landed aristocratic society of England. These people wanted to do away with the old structure and therefore the old church. If there was no official church, membership and status would not be determined by the old standard.

Take a close look at the way the founders lived, however, and you will see a deeply religious people. They overthrew not God but a staid, repressive political structure. Take a look at the Declaration of Independence: we have inalienable rights given to us by the creator.

In my opinion, the false notion of a separation of church and state is perpetuated by those who wish to destroy any religious belief. The orignal intent of the clause in the constitution was to remove a repressive political structure not end belief. The challenges to the Pledge of Allegience, the arguments in california over the city symbols of the original spanish missions, and the removal of Christmas from the schools are signs of a political agenda to end religious freedom and beliefs.

Moral relativism and multiculturalism cannot exist where religous beliefs also exist. As a Christian, I believe that certain things are wrong. Remove Christianity as a valid belief system by banning it from a place in the creation of laws and many things are now possible.

I don't support a lot of the SBC's agenda but I do agree that kids are taught alot of things in school that directly contradict what they are taught at home and in church. If the schools operated from a position that a god exists, that there are certain beliefs that transcend all religions, and that right and wrong are not relative concepts, our society would be better off.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I am a fan of home school, which is what I intend to do when I give birth. My children are with their father and he does an excellent job making sure they grow up in God.

ah, so is that whole fainting everytime you leave the house illness going to clear up soon?

I couldn't imagine Homeschooling if I was fainting all over the place.

 

[m&m's mom]

southernclass - Clarification request
How can you home school children you haven't even had that are w/ their father now.
I am confused!

 

[southernclass]

[

I don't support a lot of the SBC's agenda but I do agree that kids are taught alot of things in school that directly contradict what they are taught at home and in church. If the schools operated from a position that a god exists, that there are certain beliefs that transcend all religions, and that right and wrong are not relative concepts, our society would be better off. [/B][/QUOTE]

Amen!!!!!!!!!

 

[Crankyshank]

Well now this explains why my MIL was so concerned about how we are planning to educate our unborn children.
She's southern baptist, and works in the public school system, which really makes no sense if she's going to be part of the boycott.
Anyhow, she wasn't relieved to know I plan on sending my future children to Catholic school and then to a Quaker school

 

[mudhen]

I teach in a public school and there is nothing to my knowledge
in our curriculum that "dircetly contridicts" what is taught at
home and in churches.

Separation of church and state doesn't stop kids from praying
in school, heck, they pray everyday...........
especially "test" day.




What it does do is stop me from imposing my religious beliefs
on my students while in the classroom, and that is a good
thing. As a parent, I want my kids to go to school to learn
academic and socially oriented things, they can go to church
and Sunday school to learn religion.

 

[KristaTX]

I am a Christian. My husband graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Our home and property here in Fort Worth is entirely surrounded by the seminary's property. We attend a church (www.mosaicfw.org) that is associated with the Southern Baptist denomination. And I just have to say that I am SICK of hearing a few vocal Christians spread their idiotic ideas and embarrass Christianity as a whole. I read the article here http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=18420 and I am glad to know that it is not the denomination but a small group of malcontents who are proposing this boycott. Where to educate your children is a decision that each family must make for themselves. Trying to pass a resolution is ridiculous.

And just for the record - I am also ashamed about the boycotting of Disney and other "horrible" things by some Christian groups. I wrote a poem last year that is posted on our church website, and I am going to share it here - feel free to ignore it if you like :


May God forgive his people for the status of their lives,
For in place of being lovers we instead just wield our knives.
"The world deserves it," we may say, as we stab them left and right,
Or perhaps ignore them, one and all, to be led in ways of night.

May God forgive his people for hiding from the others,
An embarrassing segregation lies among this band of brothers.
We tuck ourselves away it seems in order to stay clean.
Our own music, movies, books, and schools - do your best to stay unseen.

May God forgive his people for abusing God's green earth,
It seems that nothing physical is thought to have much worth.
We don't care what happens here; do what you want my friend.
Let's dig and chop and burn it up; it won't matter in the end.

May God forgive his people for neglecting any child,
How could we befriend the ones who seem to be so wild?
"Why don't their parents take care of them? It's just so sad," we say.
We wonder just a little while, then continue with our day.

May God forgive his people for abandoning the old,
We see the aged as over and done - all furrowed, brittle, and cold.
Away to the old folks' home they are sent; their wisdom and knowledge in tow.
Afraid that the wrinkles will rub off on us, to visit we don't want to go.

May God forgive his people for not comprehending grace,
We argue, fight, gossip, and lie, and slap him in the face.
If Christ had acted as we do, we'd have known that he was lying.
But he befriended the friendless ones; some of us aren't even trying.

 

[missypie]

I was raised Southern Baptist, but I am now happier as a Presbyterian (we can drink at the Sunday School class Christmas party).

Several points:

1. I don't want my kids' public school teachers teaching them religion. How are they qualified and how do I know that they believe what I want to teach my kids about God?

2. Whose religion gets taught in public schools? I'm down here in the Bible Belt, but I'm sure that there are public schools in this area that are majority non-Christian. If Hindus or Muslims are in the majority, do they get to teach their religion in public school? If a Southern Baptist moves to Salt Lake City, is he okay with the public schools teaching his child the Mormon religion?

3. As our country becomes more and more diverse, I would think that Christians would become more and more in favor of the separation of church and state. What if we meld church and state, then over time our country becomes Muslim majority? Would those Southern Baptists be okay with their great grandaughters having to wear burkas?