RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

    There seems to be a lot of confusion about how much religion can be in the public schools.  There are a lot more freedoms than sometimes thought.  The Christian Educators' Association, Inc. has tried to get the word out.  Here is true-false test.  See how you do.  The answers are below.  Don't cheat.  It's like school!  (1) Students can pray before and after the school day, at recess and lunch, but not at other times.  T   F   (2) A teacher is allowed to use the Bible as a refrence source in the classroom.  T  F   (3)  The school board may pray before or after the scool board meeting.   T   F   (4) Students may leave the classrooom and school grounds during the school day for religious/moral training.  T  F  (5)  A music teacher does not have to include religious music if he or she doesn't want to.  T  F  (6) The  school may decide to allow non-curricuilum clubs to meet after school on school grounds and not allow a religious cllub to meet on school grounds after school.  T  F  (7) In l963, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that prayer was not allowed in public schools.  T  F  (8) Science teachers can teach evolution, but are not allowed to discuss the bibilical account of creation.  T  F (9) It is illegal for students or teachers to evangelize their peers.  T  F  (10) A teacher may withold the portion of his or her union dues that funds a union's political stances that are in conflict with the teacher's religious views  T  F     Answers:  (1) False (2) True (3) True (4) True (5) False (6) False (7) False (8) False (9) False (10) True

How did you do?  Surprised at all?  What do you think?

HOW OLD IS TOO OLD?

  Just read in the WESTERN RECORDER about Duncan Smith who celebreated his 100th birthday on July 1.  He has been a long-time pastor in Western Kentucky.  Just this month he preached a sermon at the West Providence Batist Church.  He used James 4:13-16 and it sounds like a terrific message, "What is Your Life?"  He said that a person has six lives-- what the world knows of you, what your friends know of you, what your family knows of you, what your church knows about you, what you know about you, and what God knows about you.  Interesting and to the point!  Retiring is sort of a modern invention, isn't it?  Can you think of Simon Peter, Apostle Paul, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Billy Graham, or Mother Theresa retiring?  How does one know when he or she is too old?  What do you think?

"Don't Ask,Don't Tell!"

  The Southern Baptist Convention is battlling President Obama's administration's efforts to repeal the, "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy.  The policy had banned openly gay members from serving in the military.  Chaplains, both active and retired, have been asked to weigh in on the issue.  SBC chaplains may have some clout.  When combined with evangelical groups, they make up over 1,000 chaplains.  The total of faith groups serving as chaplains as of March of this year according to the Department of defense:  Southern Baptist Convention 448, Roman Catholic 252, Assemblies of God 119, United Methodist 110, Seventh-Day Adventists 43, Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints 37, Orthodox 25, Islam 10, Judaism 21, and Buddhist 1.
   So what do you think?

Atheists are Uniting!

   Marie and I live in Lousiville when I was attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  So I know the location of a new billboard along Interstate 65 near the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center.  The billboard reads:  DON'T BELIVE IN GOD?  YOU ARE NOT ALONE. It was placed there by the Louisville Coalition of Reason which is a part of a national organization, United Coalition of Reason.  Atheists are getting active about sharing their views these days.
    I wonder what should be the attidude and response of believers?  Even though avowed atheists make up only about 4% of the population, their positions deserve a response.  For one thing, the question on the billboard can send believers seeking for truth. There is never any reason for Christians to shy away from the truth whether it is in theology, science or philosophy.  To the question, "Is there a God?, there are so-called rational "proofs" such as the ontological argument, cosmological argument, teleological argument, moral argument, and the historical argument.  And of course there is the argument of an experience with God.  Stuart Hamblin, gospel song writer/singer of another generation, was sitting in a plane by a man who professed, "I do not believe in God."  "That's sad," Hamblin responded, "I just spoke with him this morning."
    Second, the question can also help us know how to respond.  It does no good to get angry with atheists or anyone!  I Peter 3:15 says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with GENTLENESS and RESPECT."  Atheists have every right to express their thoughts.  In America, we have the freedom of religion--- even the freedom not to believe. We need to express concern and love and not hate.  Atheists are often people who have been hurt, disappointed, or disallusioned.  They need us more than anyone.
     What do you think?

pets in heaven

New book out by Franciscan Friar Jack Wintz, WILL I SEE MY DOG IN HEAVEN?  A question I have been asked sometimes by members!  The author thinks you WILL see your dog in heaven.  No surprise  with these Franciscans.  The local Episcopal church always has an annual blessing for pets of all kinds and sizes.  I thought about taking our former cocker spaniel, Kramer, to be blessed in hopes that he would quit trying to ride our cat.  The author relies on the Genesis account to provide evidence there is a wonderful harmony  for both humans and animals.  He also sees the Gspel message as having saving impact on the entire human family.  What do you think?  I know I draw the line with cats!     Pastor Cox