Two articles touching on Christian evangelism have caught my eye recently.
First, from his Livejournal, Cahwyguy points to an article at jewsonfirst.org on a couple of lawsuits against the Indian River, DE schools for a bit too much co-mingling of Christianity and public education. The entire article is worth a read.
Many of the church-and-state lawsuits against municipal entities which I’ve been aware of previously have seemed to me to be best resolved by the plaintiff growing a thicker skin. However, some of the allegations in this suit, if true, are clearly beyond the thick-skinned expectation. For example:
When Jane Doe complained that her non-Christian son “Jordan Doe” was left alone when his classmates went to Bible Club meetings, district staff insisted that Jordan should attend the club regardless of his religion.[.]
I’m not an advocate of “keeping religion out of schools”, mind you. I just have a problem with government employees advocating a particular religion (or a particular flavor of a religion) over other faiths/agnosticism/atheism.
Also seen while surfing: a New York Times article on the erection of an adaptation of the Statue of Liberty in Memphis:
As the congregation of the World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church looked on and its pastor, Apostle Alton R. Williams, presided, a brown shroud much like a burqa was pulled away to reveal a giant statue of [Lady Liberty], but with the Ten Commandments under one arm and “Jehovah” inscribed on her crown.
And in place of a torch, she held aloft a large gold cross, as if to ward off the pawnshops, the car dealerships and the discount furniture outlets at the busy corner of Kirby Parkway and Winchester that is her home. A single tear graced her cheek.
I’ve seen many folks online comment on the ostentatiousness of the display and the ethics of blending nationalism with religion. However, a different pair of thoughts strike me:
- How much did that 72 foot statue cost?
- While the congregation is certainly within its rights to spend money to make such a dramatic expression of faith and opinion.I wonder if there wouldn’t have been a better use for those resources, like combating poverty and illness.