The ACLU Battles Gideon Bibles
My thinking on this has gone 180 degrees from years ago. I used to be a very devout Catholic. Then, as I grew older, I started questioning the beliefs and practices of the Church and the Pope. I also questioned all other religions, too. The clincher has been the unrelenting violence perpetrated by radical Islam across the globe. These "religious" zealots will blow themselves up or behead you if you don't acquiesce to their perverted brand of worship.
Where's the linkage? It's the old "draw the line in the sand" issue. A similar battle to the Gideon Bibles is fought every year in a lot of public schools across the country at Christmas time. The Christians want a Nativity scene on school property, either inside or outside on the grounds. Jews don't like it, as they don't believe in Christ being the Son of God. And that was just between those two organized religions. Now we can add a growing third party to the fray: the Muslims.
I have no problem with peace-loving Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, or atheists. What I do disdain is the increasingly heavy-handed tactics used by some of the particular sects.
So why, after being a life-long opponent of the ACLU, do I finally agree with them? It's quite simple. If Gideon or any other version of Christian bible is allowed in public schools, then we have to allow the Quran to be distributed. Then the Torah. And any other religious teachings in print. Enough is enough.
A recently deceased, wise-old friend of mine once echoed an old adage: "Organized religion gives God a bad name". True enough. Houses of worship and homes are ideal for the practice of religion. "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's". Let's not allow religious factions to Balkanize the United States, whacking each other over the head in the name of God.
Peace.
Published by Robert Douglas
Retired from the Air Force Medical Service, Vietnam Veteran, father of 2 children, grandfather of five girls, the ideal husband and a graduate of the Long Ridge Writers Group and AWAI Copywriter Courses. Fo... View profile
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29 Comments
Post a CommentAs the Olde Saying goes: "There's No Compassion in Business & No Business in Compassion"... & this "Rings True, where Public Buildings exist.".. for individuals of Any Age... (when the Building & the Purpose, of a Location...is Financially Supported by Federal / National / State / County...Government Funds... the Government, then "has the Right to Control activities, within that Realm"... just
because they Financially Support it... but, then... it is the Money from the Taxpayer's that is being spent on the Public Facilities, too...
If anyone can Separate the Two, the Compassion & the Business... then there is More Success... for anyone in Life.
(Think on this: The Prisons & Jails, have the Right to Practice a Choice of Religion & these are Financially Supported by the U.S.
Government... so, IS IT STILL "CONSTITUTIONAL" FOR STUDENTS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION CENTERS, TO BE "DENIED THE RIGHT TO
PRACTICE *THEIR CHOICE* OF SPIRITUALITY... CHRISTIAN OR NOT... " ???????
"Public" means, tha
It is a shame to see that many Christians are not willing to take a stand for anything. If we don't stand by the Gideons and most importantly along side of "The Word of God" the ACLU will take more of our rights. The purpose of the public school is to educate our children. If the Gideons wish to hand out bibles to 5th grade children, as they have done for decades, this should be allowed. Our kids should be given the chance to read the bible, if they choose. This is a basic right we have as Americans. As someone else stated if this continues other religions should be able to hand out items. That would be ok, this is America. God's word will stand up to ANY TEST or comparison. Children should have the chance to learn about everything in public school as long it is age appropriate. As for the separation of church and state, the govt. shall not establish a religion is what is said, but we should give the chance for kids to choose to read about it if they wish.
Great read. I am one for the separation of church and state. I would consider schools to be part of the state. Religion is a choice and should not be forced upon the susceptibility of the young. I have my faith and I am deplored by knocks on my door or rather I was until I took a cow skull painted it and stuck sage in its nostrils. Now they stay away leaving me with my personal pipe and my prayers to the creator. People need to learn respect for other religions and cultures.
"Organized religion gives God a bad name." I couldn't agree more.
Nice argument. I like your logic.
Well written article. I agree with you. As far as the ACLU it is one of those necessary evils, however, the ACLU has forgotten what the A stands for in their acronym: The AMERICAN Civil Liberties Union. When the ACLU defends illegal immigrants, they are forgetting who they represent - Americans!
I always thought the Gideon bibles were a big waste of paper. I mean, what can you do with them? You can't read them, the text is too small. The paper is to thin to use as scratch paper (like if you wanted to write over it in red ink). And the pages are too small to use to line your bird cage. Some years, I only had to walk past the Gideons and say no thanks. Other years, they'd drop a bible on top of my school books, even if I was running past them. I think they're a large part of why a lot of people don't like Christians, they're just too pushy.
Excellent article. Very well-written and informative. Very good job!
Mr Beck and Ms Beachy: please don't communicate via PM. You'll reduce my potential PVs! LOL
Miss Beachy, Jesus was not always silent, correct you are, but look at who he rebuked: the people who thought they were right with God, doing what He wanted them to do. That is exactly what I am doing: rebuking my fellow Christians who think they are doing God a service when in actuality they are bringing a reproach to the name of Christ by their conduct and only making the world's negative attitude towards Christians and the one they claim to serve worse. (If you wish to discuss this further, we may communicate via private messages. Praying for you.)
This is not necessarily addressed to everyone else. Andrew, Jesus was NOT always silent. There is a time and a place to stand up for what you believe. Jesus openly rebuked the Pharisees. He threw over the tables in the temple. Let not your faith be silent...if you remain silent, how will the light of Christ ever show? I agree there is no need to defend every single little thing. but if you will stand for nothing, you will fall for anything. it's not entirely as you say, Andrew; most of it boils down to defending against groups who would just as soon as ruin peace and bring about hatred as terrorists would bomb a building. it's about radicals and how it hurts more than it helps. please look back in the New Testament to see the many other examples in which Jesus was the complete opposite of silent.