Southern Baptists and Public Schools

NPR ran a story on a resolution that will be proposed at this year's Southern Baptist Convention urging Southern Baptists to develop a strategy for pulling their children out of public schools.

While I do see the points made by those in favor of such a move, I can't help but think pulling children out of public schools would be disasterous not only for the children, but also for our country. It is true that public schools are becoming more and more secular as evolution and other secular humanist ideas become more and more entrenched in academia. It is also true that many children are exposed to certain lifestyles and viewpoints in public schools that are counter to Christ exalting living. My answer to both: welcome to the real world!

Christians, especially evangelical Christians cannot sequester themselves from a lost and dying world that needs a witness. I understand that a child's education is very important and philosophies and ideas contrary to God and His revealed Word can be damaging to a child. But my answer is not to take children out of that environment, but for parents to take an active role in educating the child at hime. Plus, let's be honest, public schools are not completely devoid of spirituality. FCA and Young Life have huge participation numbers as children are shown how they can bring their faith to bare in the world. And I would dare say that many, many children who come from lost homes have came to know Christ because of the testimony of a Christian classmate.

I can only imagine what will happen to our Christian children who have been educated in Christian schools when they finally are exposed to the lies of this world. Shock and awe will fill their faces and their minds as they wonder if what they have been taught is true. Even if they know truth, will they know how to engage the culture around them? Furthermore, will public schools become even more secular when Christians pull their children out of them? By doing such a thing, we evangelicals are essentially giving over an entire people group to Satan! I think the best way for Christians to have an impact on our culture is by keeping our children involved in public schools. It is in that dark environment where the light of Christ can shine brightly.

Wow!

My roomie connected me to a profound, challenging, convicting, and possibly life-changing sermon from Reggie McNeal called "Connecting Future Generations To Jesus Christ." Listen to this! It will rock your world!

Marriage Amendment

A federal marriage amendment is going to the full Senate for a vote that will occur in early June. Here's hoping it doesn't pass. I think that the definition of marriage ought to be defined by states. Any federal amendment infringes on the rights of states and thus violates the principles of Federalism. Conservatives should work in their own states to pass marriage protection, and not try to ram something through at the federal level.

On Missing The Point

Newsweek's cover story this week is on AIDS. In a story detailing the prevalance of HIV/AIDS among blacks, writers Claudia Kalb and Andrew Murr totally miss the point when diagnosing the root cause of the spread,

Understanding why HIV has taken hold of black America and how to prevent
its spread has proved to be no less daunting a challenge. The root of the
problems is poverty and the neglect that comes with it--inadequate health care
and a dearth of information about safe sex.

Excuse me? Poverty causes HIV? Tell that to the millions across the world in poverty that don't have the disease. Lack of knowledge concerning safe sex practices causes HIV? How many American students haven't heard about safe sex?!?! It's taught in schools for crying out loud! This has nothing to do with lack of information or lack of resources. I may not be the sharpest tack on the wall, but even I could correctly discern that sex outside of marriage and drug use spreads HIV. If people would stop engaging in these practices, I'm willing to guarantee HIV would be almost a non-issue in the world. I believe the woeful ignorance of these reporters is exactly the problem with global HIV/AIDS policy. The Bush administration has made a great stride in recognizing that the only way to successfully combat further spread of the disease is through abstinence and committing $15 billion to promote it. At the same time, they recognize that people will not want to follow such a policy, so condoms are provided. This is smart policy, and we should encourage more of this type of common-sense policymaking.

The Vital Africa

Helping Africa is not just about do-goodery. Helping Africa is also about American national security. It is vital that America ensures that stability exists on the African continent. For additional thoughts on this, check out this post, Why All of Africa Is In America's Interest. Then consider whether it is important for American citizens to call on our leaders to take an even more active and resourceful look at America's Africa policy. Roman scholar Pliny the Elder had it right when he said, "There is always something new out of Africa." My we ensure that that something new is freedom, peace, and hope.

Entitlement Nation

George Will wrote a great column in last week's Newsweek in which he briefly touched on the effect that entitlements have had on our country. For example, before 1977, no snowstorm had ever been declared a national disaster. However, today it is a rare feat indeed when a snowstorm, or any other storm doesn't garner the title of "emergency." The reason for the increase in emergency distinctions is because we as nation expect to not have these problems, or at the very least, believe we are entitled to safety and little inconvenience when natural disasters occur. Will explains much more fully, so check it out. One of his best lines: "A poll shows that approval of the job Congress is doing has plunged to just 22 percent. On wonders: who are those 22 percent?"

Bitterly Satirical

Geographically Illiterate

Apparently young Americans are geogrpahically illiterate, specifically world geography. Many couldn't point to Iraq or Indonesia on a map or detail which country had a major earthquake in October 2005 (Pakistan). Geography, as this survey demands, must be more thoroughly taught in elementary and highschools.