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.

Letter To The Editor

The first genocide of the 21st century is well underway—over the past two years 400,000 people have already been murdered, and there are no signs of the slaughter abating. This reprehensible killing is raging in the western region of Sudan called Darfur. Despite the outrage expressed by many leaders, the United Nations has only been able to raise 32% of the $746 million needed to fund operations in the region. The war has now spread to neighboring Chad. More and more people are being unjustly murdered while the world watches and does nothing. We must act now. Please join the fight against genocide by petitioning Congress and the President to act more forcefully to stop the murder of defenseless, innocent human beings. God commands us. Justice demands it. Love propels us.

Hey Peaceniks

Now hear this:

Back home, as the election-year debate over Iraq rages on, I think about
that soldier's sacrifice and recall a final impassioned plea from an Iraqi
general named Aziz: 'Iraqi troops will finish this job; we will kill this
insurgency. But please tell the American people and President Bush that America
cannot withdraw before the Iraqi troops are ready. We can't stand alone yet. We
need more time.'

More Here

Random, Pertinent Fact

The Top 10 Oil Importers To the US

1. Mexico
2. Canada
3. Saudi Arabia (potentially politically unstable)
4. Nigeria (politically unstable)
5. Venezuela (politically unstable)
6. Angola
7. Iraq (politically unstable)
8. Ecuador
9. Brazil
10. Algeria
(HT: FP Passport--you really ought to check out this blog...it's great!)

Meanwhile, the vast oil deposits in the frozen, barren tundra of Alaska cannot be tapped by American oil companies to ease our depedence on foreign oil, because too many folks believe drilling will hurt the environment. Considering the technology used to drill and the fact that there really aren't that many animals let alone trees in the ANWR area, I don't think it's that big of a deal. Drill, says I!

Save Lives?? A Preposterous Idea!

The genocide in Darfur only gets worse. Will the nations that are more than able to put a stop to this genocide do anything? Judging from recent history (Cambodia,Rwanda, Srebrenica, abortion) I won't hold my breath. Click on the link to figure out how you can help stop genocide in Darfur.

In Remembrance

April 19, 1995














11 years later...

If You're Interested

Some Sunday evening reading:

A brief history of foot-washing

An excellent exploration of water conditions in Somalia, and perhaps a precursor to what the larger global community could be facing as fresh drinking water becomes more and more scarce.

Here's an interesting biographical sketch on al-Qaeda #2, Ayman al-Zawahiri

A brief photo essay of Uganda's night children is at Foreign Policy online (for more on this, go to Invisible Children).

Here is an example of why foreign aid just can't only come in the form of money or supplies. It must be undergirded by stipulations to reform society. In the case of Africa, the country does need money. But it also needs free and fair societies ruled by the people and not corrupt regimes. But China doesn't care.

Finally, here's a new blog by Foreign Policy.

Immigration Insanity

Hispanic leaders claim they are protesting for fair treatment of all immigrants. I say: Everyone wants that! Those of us who advocate enforcing American laws on immigration aren't anti-immigrant. We just believe that there is something wrong with breaking the law.

Hispanic leaders claim that illegal immigrants are coming over to America because they want to work and pursue the American dream. I say: Since when was the American dream based in illegality. I want people from all countries to come into America the legal way and provide for their families and pursue the American dream. I don't want people breaking the law and then claiming they just wanted "the dream."

Hispanic leaders call illegal immigrants "undocumented workers." I say: Yeah, they're undocumented alright, but let's not conveniently brush past the fact that they're illegal, and that's the problem.

Hispanic leaders claim the House immigration bill that criminalized illegal immigrants and prohibited charities--including churches--from helping illegals. I say: Yeah, I think the Republicans (once again) shot themselves in the foot with this one. Our problem isn't doing the human thing and helping those that are struggling. Our problem is enforcing border security and immigration laws. It's one thing to make illegal immigration a felonious offense. However, making humanitarian initiatives illegal is absurd and unnecessary. Much of the debate has centered around the charity aspect and not the underpinning problem--breaking border and immigration laws.

Hispanic leaders claim that illegal immigrants do work Americans won't do and so they should be allowed to stay. I say: While it may be true that illegals do some of the hard, dirty work, Americans would do that same work. It's just that Americans believe in being paid at least a minimum wage. Why would a corporation hire an American for $5.15 when they can hire an illegal for $5.00?

Some illegal immigrants say that everyone in North America is American and international borders ought not be enforced (yes, some actually said that in Washingotn DC today). I say: Being an American is a priviledge that should not be cheaply disposed of. There are rights and priviledges of being a citizen of any country. The nation-state is important to maintaining order and civility. America has an obligation to its citizens to maintain strong, healthy, secure borders.

In the end, it's important that America continues to have a diverse citizenry. We ought to continue welcoming immigrants from all across the world. Hispanics are a very important part of America. But, we as a nation founded on law and order cannot reward illegal behavior.















I say: Try becoming legal and getting vaild
Social Security numbers!




















I say: Why not wave the American
flag? After all, don't you love America?
Don't you want to puruse the American
dream?





















I say: Surely you protestors aren't
disrespecting the American flag and
in turn the United States of America?

Rewarding Illegality

Picture this: Mexican family A--looking for a better life so they apply for citizenship in America. Mexican family B--looking for a better life so they sneak across the border with the help of a smuggler called a coyote. The man of the house gets an immediate job doing landscaping and the woman gets a job cleaning houses. Because they're illegal neither one has a Social Security number, but instead go to a man who will supply them with counterfeit numbers. They work, pay their FICA taxes (which they can't take advantage of because they don't have a real Social Security number), send their kids to public schools (which neither parent paid for), and zap our health care system because they aren't insured and must instead rely on government aid. Then the US Congress and President decide they want an easy way out of the whole illegal immigration business and pass what is essentially an amnesty bill. So Mexican family B, because they've evaded they've successfully evaded the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services for five years, gets US citizenship. Meanwhile Mexican family A is still waiting for clearance into America. What would you choose?

To think that the American government would consider rewarding illegal behavior. In fact that's where we are today. We have rules and laws for a reason. Border security and legal immigration must be enforced. We need a border fence. We need mandatory employee verification. We need to secure the country. It's not about discrimination--we welcome with open arms all immigrants. Just do it right!

As for these huge protests...they're ridiculous! It's good that these folks are taking a part of the governing process, but seriously! They are protesting because they want their or their families' illegal behavior rewarded. I think I might be able to take them a little more seriously if they didn't wave the Mexican flag, burn the American flag, and have posters proclaiming "reconquista" of the American West.

Cowardly Democrats

Oklahoma Senator Bernest Cain and the rest of the Oklahoma Democratic party showed just how liberal they really are by allowing seveal anti-abortion bills that were passed by the Republican controlled House to die in committee today. The bills would strengthen Oklahoma's informed consent law and tighten regulation of the morning after pill. Cain stated that he believed that comprehensive abortion laws were passed last year and he considered these bills to be piling on. Unfortunately, comprehensive abortion laws were not passed last year.

I remember sitting in the Senate chamber last year as Sen. Cain--pawn of Planned Parenthood and the rest of the pro-abortion crowd--and several other Democrats ignorantly framed the abortion debate around religion. In fact, the debate is much larger than religious beliefs. It has everything to do with killing humans. Sen. Cain's inaction has allowed much more than just bills to die today.

Judaism, Apartheid, and the Gospel

Ron Sider, in his book Good News and Good Works, tells the story of James, a Jewish student in South Africa, whom he met at a conference at a South African university.

"His passion in life was the struggle against apartheid. Somehow,
hoewever, these devout white Christians had caught his attention. James
and I quickly became friends talking about South African politics hour after
hour. ...[James said] 'God told me that if I would come to this
conference, I would learn something about his Son.'
I looked at James and replied, 'James, I believe that Jesus Christ died on
the cross and rose again for you.'
He paused for a second and then astonished me again, 'I believe all of that
Ron, I really do.' Still he held back. Something obviously was
blocking his acceptance of Christ. After a moment, he said quietly, 'I
don't want to be like those white Christians here. They sing about the
love of Jesus and the joy of heaven, but they don't care about justice in South
Africa. If I become a Christian will I have to give up the
struggle?'"

James later became a Christian. He certainly made a valid point, the lost must see in us a passion for Christ as well as a passion for the poor and the oppressed. Many more neat stories and valid points in Sider's book. And don't be confused, Sider is no liberal, social gospeler. He's very much a Bible believing, conservative Christian. Good stuff!

Ignorance

"I think we have a great need in our own country that should take top priority. We don't live in Africa, we live in America."

To Be A Christian In Afghanistan

A German newspaper offers this profile of one Afghani Christian. Pretty interesting.