So I had no attention of talking about religion again. However, on my home Friday I hear on WFRN (the local Christian station in my town) about a pastor who received a written warning that cited “unlawful use of land,” ordering them to either “stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit." What were they doing, you ask? Having a dinner and small bible study in the pastor's home. The radio reported 15 people were attendance. It's not like they was a huge crowd, making noise, blocking traffic. They also were not preaching or forcing others to listen to their viewpoints. It was a small peaceful gathering on private property.
The station brought up the point of why the bible study? They didn't break up the scout meeting down the street or the sewing circle across town. What really got me was that I was on my home from getting supplies for my daughters b-day party. We were expecting at least 15 people. Were we going to get ordered to shut down.
No...the only reason they were ordered to shut down was because they were studying the bible and talking about God. The government officical who ordered the citation and remains anonymous is ordering them to shut down or file for a permit that costs thousands of dollars. In other words, if this guy (or girl) had it his way, we would all have to have permit to pray or read the bible. So now we have to carry our driver's license, credit cards, student ID's and our prayer card with us.
To read more on this issue check out this link. http://www.therealestatebloggers.com/2009/05/29/zoning-laws-run-amok-home-bible-study-banned-without-permit-in-san-diego/
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Jesus crucified again?
After reading David Isaacson's article, "Where Personal and Professional Collide," I became very curious about the religious aspect. He mentions a librarian who lost her job because she wore a necklace of a cross. (She sued and won!!). I am a Christian and put God first in my life. I also strongly believe in the 1st Amendment. As a future librarian I have struggled with this. They are lots of material out there I don't support or condone. However, while on the job it is not my place to refuse this material to others.
However, those same people who say they support the 1st Amendment, get all upset when God is involved. The East Vally Tribune recently printed an article about a 7th grade girl who got in trouble for having a picture of Jesus on her notebook. After a student complained she was sent to the office and told not to return to school with the photo. Her outraged mother sought the help of the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative think tank. The principal gave in and let the photo back in after a public backlash.
Now a bill is the process of being passed that will eliminate this type of discrimination. Rep. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa, attempts to bring together a series of state laws and court decisions banning censorship in schools based on religion. HB 2357 would bar all forms of religious discrimination in schools and would specify that students are allowed to wear religious clothing, jewelry and apparel on campus. The House passed the bill, passing it on to Senate.
The young ladies mother says, "Freedom of speech doesn’t stop when you enter the school gates."
It takes people like this who are not afraid to stand up for what the Constitution says is right. If we all sit back and do nothing, we will soon not be able to do anything with out getting the governments permission first.
As a Christian and an American I am very upset by the fact that we constantly being told how tolerant we need to be to everyone. I agree with this completely. America should be home to all races, religions, etc. However, every time I hear this, I turn around and Jesus is being taken out of something. We aren't supposed to pray in God's name, we can't pray in public, Bible's are disappearing in public places. Why are we supposed to be tolerant to everyone except Jesus? For the 1st Amendment to work the way it is supposed to, no religion should be singled out!!
Isaacson, David. (2004). "Where Personal and Professional Collide." Library Journal, 129 (4): 50. (Academic Search Premier).
Manget, Sean. (9 May 2009). "Bill Bans Religious Censorship in Schools." EastValleyTribune.com. Accessed 21 May 2009 from http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/139010.
However, those same people who say they support the 1st Amendment, get all upset when God is involved. The East Vally Tribune recently printed an article about a 7th grade girl who got in trouble for having a picture of Jesus on her notebook. After a student complained she was sent to the office and told not to return to school with the photo. Her outraged mother sought the help of the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative think tank. The principal gave in and let the photo back in after a public backlash.
Now a bill is the process of being passed that will eliminate this type of discrimination. Rep. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa, attempts to bring together a series of state laws and court decisions banning censorship in schools based on religion. HB 2357 would bar all forms of religious discrimination in schools and would specify that students are allowed to wear religious clothing, jewelry and apparel on campus. The House passed the bill, passing it on to Senate.
The young ladies mother says, "Freedom of speech doesn’t stop when you enter the school gates."
It takes people like this who are not afraid to stand up for what the Constitution says is right. If we all sit back and do nothing, we will soon not be able to do anything with out getting the governments permission first.
As a Christian and an American I am very upset by the fact that we constantly being told how tolerant we need to be to everyone. I agree with this completely. America should be home to all races, religions, etc. However, every time I hear this, I turn around and Jesus is being taken out of something. We aren't supposed to pray in God's name, we can't pray in public, Bible's are disappearing in public places. Why are we supposed to be tolerant to everyone except Jesus? For the 1st Amendment to work the way it is supposed to, no religion should be singled out!!
Isaacson, David. (2004). "Where Personal and Professional Collide." Library Journal, 129 (4): 50. (Academic Search Premier).
Manget, Sean. (9 May 2009). "Bill Bans Religious Censorship in Schools." EastValleyTribune.com. Accessed 21 May 2009 from http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/139010.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)