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The ACLU Battles Gideon Bibles

By Bob P., published Apr 13, 2007
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The ACLU has been involved with a number of States and their school districts over the distribution of Gideon Bibles. Injunctions have been served preventing this while the courts sort out this sticky subject. While I respect the right to practice your particular religion, I am also weary of the tactics employed by so-called religious groups in general.

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.

The ACLU Battles Gideon Bibles

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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.

Posted on 10/15/2007 at 10:10:00 AM

 
The ACLU wants nothing but Socialism in the U.S. To support them, is to undermine everything that makes this country great. Without organized religion, this country, as we know it, wouldn't exist. Our foundation is built upon the morals taught by loving and wise religions. I think all students should read the Bible as well as the other holy books so they can see, for themselves, that all religions are not alike and so they can make their own decisions about what to believe. Spiritual ignorance isn't acceptable, it leads to asinine beliefs based on fallacies.

Posted on 04/19/2007 at 7:04:00 PM

 
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.

Posted on 04/18/2007 at 1:04:00 AM

 
"Organized religion gives God a bad name." I couldn't agree more. Nice argument. I like your logic.

Posted on 04/17/2007 at 11:04:00 AM

 
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!

Posted on 04/16/2007 at 9:04:00 PM

 
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.

Posted on 04/16/2007 at 6:04:00 PM

 
Excellent article. Very well-written and informative. Very good job!

Posted on 04/16/2007 at 12:04:00 PM

 
Mr Beck and Ms Beachy: please don't communicate via PM. You'll reduce my potential PVs! LOL

Posted on 04/16/2007 at 12:04:00 PM

 
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.)

Posted on 04/16/2007 at 10:04:00 AM

 
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.

Posted on 04/15/2007 at 7:04:00 PM

 
To all the Christians posting on this thing, can we all please be quiet? I am a Christian as well, but to be frank: Jesus does not need us to defend Him from the Big Bad ACLU or atheists or anyone else. Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, scorned, and utterly slandered when He was here on earth even though He didn't do anything wrong and yet He didn't retaliate or even defend Himself against the outrageous, hateful things that people were saying about Him. (Things haven't changed. People still slander Him.) He promised us that people would say the same things about us as they said about Him, (see Miss Rocco's comment) so why are you are trying to defend yourself? Jesus doesn't need any lawyers and neither do Christians. Please follow the example of the one you claim to serve and be silent.

Posted on 04/15/2007 at 4:04:00 PM

 
First of all... I think the ACLU is just as dangerous as a terrorists... okay, I said it... burn me at the stake, but they are not to be trusted. They back anyone who does wrong, they defame anyone who tries to do the right thing. If they put as much effort in supporting good and as they do supporting the negative and wrong-doers, maybe their credibility would be higher. I am proud to be a Christian, and I am also determined to not allow individuals of other Faiths demean me or my religion. Regardless of ones faith, NO ONE has the right to slander another, or demand that "Christians" do not have the right to be Christian... It is difficult being a Christian, we have enough trouble keeping ourselves from sinning, now we have to concern ourselves with how others want to do us in? Guess it is not any different than when we were tossed into the ring and had to fight the lions. If someone of another faith does not understand the Christian Faith, realize the importance of the Christian Sym

Posted on 04/15/2007 at 3:04:00 PM

 
"AND that the name of JESUS is SO POWERFUL, they are trying thier hardest to get rid of it totally. Everywhere they go the name of JESUS is LOUD and CLEAR and it drives them crazy. I LOVE it!! Just PROVES HIS POWER!!!" As a lover and Believer of Christ, I'd like to apologize for this person's comment. I completely understand that some people question or do not believe in the God that I know. I don't see you as running from something you don't want to face. You simply have questions and have yet to see answers when it comes to Jesus Christ. Tell, ya' what - I promise NOT to assume you're all running from the obvious, if you promise NOT to assume we all have a religious corncob shoved up our ars's! Deal? :)

Posted on 04/15/2007 at 7:04:00 AM

 
Hmm well they are now teaching the Quaran in schools, yet ban the Holy Bible? They teach evolution in science (which is a belief) so why not allow the teaching of devine creation. It is a belief as well. They are just proving not only the end is near, (HELLO) AND that the name of JESUS is SO POWERFUL, they are trying thier hardest to get rid of it totally. Everywhere they go the name of JESUS is LOUD and CLEAR and it drives them crazy. I LOVE it!! Just PROVES HIS POWER!!! :)

Posted on 04/15/2007 at 2:04:00 AM

 
(continued)...I know it is a touchy issue, but I really do think the ACLU goes too far most of the time and sticks their nose where it doesn't belong and often stirs up more trouble than it says it is preventing.

Posted on 04/14/2007 at 6:04:00 PM

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