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Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Tracts in School and Workplace



Hello

Comments from Wayne (wayneb36301@yahoo.com):


Your Christian Rights
  • A swim coach in Colorado was denied permission to teach swimming lessons after being accused of using "offensive language" -sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  • A Vietnam combat veteran and evangelical Christian in New Jersey was fired from his job as an honor guardsman at a veterans memorial cemetery for saying "God bless you and this family.
  • A public school student in Virginia was told he could not distribute religious tracts in the school lunchroom.
On a daily basis, the religious liberties of believers are assaulted in the United States of America. A major source of conflict in our time is the right of religious expression. There remains much confusion between civil authorities, legal experts and Christian citizens about what legal rights exist. While this resource cannot address everything pertaining to free religious liberty, it attempts to update and give insights on contemporary issues relating to religious freedom of expression-and especially to tract distribution.
Historic Background Since its formation, the Constitution of the United States has had 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments, called the Bill of Rights, were passed by Congress on September 25, 1789. The First Amendment, or Article 1, conveys freedom of religion to all American citizens. It states:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
From these rights granted in the First Amendment, one clearly sees that Congress is NOT to:
1. establish a state religion or prohibit the exercise of religion 2. abridge freedom of speech 3. abridge the freedom of the press 4. abridge the right of citizens to peaceably assemble 5. abridge the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States insures that government will not limit or interfere with freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom to redress the government for grievances when any of the above have been limited or restricted. The First Amendment forbids religious activity sponsored by the government but protects religious activities initiated by private individuals. The constitutions of all 50 states join the United States Constitution in protecting free speech and religious freedom.
Your Rights Regarding Distribution of Christian Tracts
The distribution of free religious literature is protected by the First Amendment. When you give away gospel tracts in public places-streets, sidewalks and parks-you are engaged in a form of speech and publication protected by the United States Constitution and civil rights laws. When you speak with someone about the gospel while in a public place, you enjoy constitutional protection. As long as you are giving away your literature for free and you aren't panhandling for donations, you are engaging in the most protected form of speech. 1. You have the right to distribute tracts in public areas such as sidewalks, streets, parks, public transportation stations such as airports, bus stations and train stations. Additional public areas include government owned stadiums, convention centers, and federal and state owned tourist attractions such as the Washington Monument and the Statue of Liberty. 2. You have the right-on your own property or in your own home-to distribute any type of Christian literature. For example, you may give tracts to trick or treaters coming to your home on Halloween. 3. Students have the right to distribute religious literature to classmates on school property. Suggestions for tract distribution: 1. Do not force anyone to take a tract. 2. Do not block or constrain another person's movement in order to give them a tract. 3. Students should wait until between classes or after school hours to distribute Christian literature to other students and teachers. 4. Public school teachers should meet with students outside of school hours to give out tracts, witness or answer questions about spiritual issues. 5. On your own property or in your own home, you have every right to distribute any type of Christian literature. 6. If approached by a police officer or anyone questioning your right of religious free expression, be polite. Explain to them you are exercising your First Amendment rights to free speech. 7. You should not be required to seek permission or submit applications to exercise First Amendment rights. 8. Realize that private property owners have the right to limit First Amendment activities on their property.
SPECIFICS: Public Schools No one is better equipped and positioned to shine the light of the gospel into America's public schools than the students who are compelled by law to attend those schools. Although teachers, administrators, parents, and pastors can all pray for the success of students seeking to live out their faiths while in school, it is the student whose religious expression enjoys full constitutional protections during the school day.

The following is a list of the activities that today are legally permissible for Christian students in public schools: 1. Students may distribute Christian literature to fellow students or teachers on school grounds between classes or after school hours. 2. Students may express themselves in prayer. In every state they are free to personally pray before a meal, a sporting event, or a test. 3. Students may read the Bible or other devotional material during free-reading times or study halls. 4. Students may use notebooks, pencils, and other material with religious logos or sayings, including Bible verses. 5. Christian messages on T-shirts, other clothing, or jewelry may be worn unless there is a school uniform requirement. 6. Students may write book reports, present speeches, prepare show-and-tell displays, or do artwork using religious themes, if such assignments follow the teacher's instructions. 7. Religious viewpoints may be shared as part of general class discussions when appropriate to the topic. 8. Equal access to school newspapers must be given to Christian students the same as to students with a non-Christian point of view. 9. Students may sing religious music in a general concert program; such music is not devotional in a concert setting but has general historical and cultural value. 10. Students may gather on their own time for devotions before or after the school day. 11. Bible clubs may meet (if voluntary and student-initiated) on public secondary school premises during non-instructional time if other non-curriculum related student groups are also permitted to do so. 12. A student may speak of God and may offer a prayer in a nonsectarian and non-proselytizing way in a student address at graduation -anywhere in this country.

IN ADDITION: Anyone can have direct access to public school students on the sidewalk areas that abut school property. You may not be prevented from witnessing or distributing tracts on public sidewalks outside schools, as long as the free-speech activity remains orderly, the noise level does not exceed appropriate limits, and there is no interference with the educational activity of the school. The Workplace 1. There is no law stating that the workplace must be a religion-free zone. 2. Employers may run their companies in accordance with godly standards. 3. Employers may offer and participate in voluntary chapel services and prayer meetings. 4. Employees may share their faith with other workers during breaks or free time. 5. Employers should not force anyone to participate in religious activities against their will. 6. Employers and employees should not ridicule others for their beliefs. 7. Employees should not share their faith during work time as this is taking away time that is to be devoted to work. 8. Employees should use discernment in sharing their faith. If witnessing becomes disruptive to others at work, seek opportunities outside the work environment to do so. The Supreme Court of the United States recognizes that free distribution of literature is a form of expression protected by the Constitution of the United States. The constitutional value of leaflets and pamphlets is not lessened by the fact that they address matters of religion. In fact, this form of religious activity occupies the same high estate under the First Amendment as do worship in the churches and preaching from the pulpits. Additional Assistance and Resources: If you believe your right of free religious expression has been infringed, or you have questions about your legal rights to share your Christian faith, contact: Alliance Defense Fund, 15333 North Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, 800-TELL-ADF, http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/ Christian Law Association, P.O. Box 4010, Seminole, FL 33775, 727-399-8300, http://www.christianlaw.org%20/The American Center For Law and Justice, P.O. Box 64429, Virginia Beach, VA 23467, 757-226-2489, http://www.aclj.org/ The Rutherford Institute, P. O. Box 7482, Charlottesville, VA 22906-7482, 434-978-3888, http://www.rutherford.org%20/
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Wayne Brooks
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Monday, September 26, 2005

The judgement of God????

In the wake of Katrina I just found out that my wife had some distant relatives in N.O during Katrina.
Their daughter begged them to leave but they refused.
Last week they found the elderly couples bodies in their home located behind the leavy.
Althrough they were not close to us but they were to other members of our family and therefore we felt the pain

I saw Mario Murillo on TBN the other day and he spoke on weather 911 or Katrina was the judgement of God. He said that he always has someone coming up to him saying their preacher was told by God that judgement was coming and that all these disaters was coming.
He staed that this was false preaching and that these diasters was not God' judgement on the US.

1. When God judges a city He sends a prophet to warn them. These preachers that think God told them would have been sent to the streets of NY & NO and not a talk show.

2. When God judges a city He gets the inacent out first. In New Orleans the crime bosses got out first in their new cars and left the inacent behind.

3. When God judges a city there is nothing left. It is complete.

When asked were God was during 911, Mario replies that He is were we told Him to go. Out of our schools, out of our courthouse and lout of our lives. Do not blame 911 on God. If you do you are agreeing with the terriorst.
He said that the local government of NO knew they needed a new leavy. They decided that they needed new casinos more. Don't blame God on their mistakes.

These disaters have opened up opertunities for the church to reach out . If that is what it take to get the church to act more like Jesus than so-be-it.

Something to think about.

Another interesting point is that he said that Fema did a worst case study back in 2001 (I think) so see what the worst disaters the US could have to do the most damage. Are you ready for this? There results were:

1. A terriorest atack
2. Hurracaine in New Orleans
3. Earthquake in San Fransico.

By the way the answer to all this is for us to repentent of our and our nations sins and pray for our leaders.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

The Hell You Say

I posted this on the Ekklesia discusion board and thought it would go good here. And posted here Wednesday, September 14, 2005 originally.


Have you heard this one?
A Conservative Evangelical,
A Roman Catholic,
A Liberal Theologian
And a Rocker all died and wound up in hell.
The devil approached them and asked the first. "Well what about it, Boy?"
The CE replied,"Well I screwed up somewhere, not much I can do now".
Then he asked the RC, "How about you"?
He replied," Well I'm not to worried about it, I have someone prying me out of here".
The 'Ol serpent turned to the third and smirked," How about you"
By which the LT answered, "Hey, this is just a metaphor, I'm not really here".
Then before he could turn to the last, the Rocker yell'd, "Where's the party? Let's rock and Roll!!"

Here are some thoughts and some of my beliefs on the subject. Through not educated I do know a little on the subject. But not as much as I do not know.
There is more I can share. But I think I'll stretch it out. This subject could go on for awhile.

Now some people see hell as funny, a place that either does not exist or a place were all the "bad boys" will go to an eternal party with the devil. Although I am not a theologian, but I would like to share some insight on this issue.
Some say that the Bible doesn't have much to say on the subject. I did a study using just my Bible and a Strongs Concordance. This is what I have found.
In the Old Testament the word for Hell was "Sheol" in Hebrew, This meant the grave, hell or Hades. It was a place for the spirits of the dead to be keep until the resurrection of Christ. It was divided into two parts. The lower and the Bosom of Abraham. This is illustrated by Jesus in the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man. Lazarus went to the BOA. It was part of Heaven but a person was not in the presence of God. That would not be able to happen until Christ's Sacrifice. The lower part was for those you cared not for God or the things of God. Although it is uncertain what the defining line was but the book of Hebrews states that "Faith" is the key to all the mysteries of God. Weather there is torment in the lower part, Jesus says yes. He spoke on the subject of hell more than any other.
Some my say that God is love and would not send his creation to such a place. I say he loves His creation so much that He came and gave Himself for their sins so that they would not have to go.
Hell was made for the devil and his angels. Those who go, chose to do so. Another misconception is the devil sits on a throne ruling over hell and his armies. The truth is he is just wondering around like an imp causing trouble. He is not in hell yet, but he will go there at the end. He does not wish to go, but he figures if he must, he will take as many with him as possible.
The New Testament hell is called by Jesus "Gehenna" in the Greek. He uses a word that is used as the trash heap outside of Jerusalem in the Valley of Hinnom that burns day and night. There was not a name for the hell of eternal torment yet so Jesus used a word that would conjure up images of suffering and torment. Where the "worm never dies"
When Christ died and buried He went to Hades to proclaim freedom for the captives. And when He ascended to Heaven He took the faithful dead with Him. Doing away with the grave and Hades. The lower part was left to hold the non-believers until judgement day.
Jesus saw all this and loved His creation enough to warn them of it. And to pay the price for deliverance.
At the end there will be judgement for all and those not found in the Book of Life will be cast into Hell or "Tauros" the fiery pit that burns forever. I see this as so. When the last resurrection comes all people will receive an eternal body. Just like Christ had after His resurrection. It will never die and it is not held back by natural barriers. The ones believing on Christ and became born-again will go to the Presence of God were their spirits have already gone. The non-believers will be cast into Hell which I can easily see as the liquid fire in the center of the earth. There they are put with their immortal bodies that feel all the pain of fire and the feeling of drowning in liquid fire without someplace to put their feet.
Again people dwell on how cruel this sounds. But what is cruel is Christ leaving Heaven to go through a human life like us, just to be rejected tormented and cruelly killed so that we can be delivered from this punishment. Then for those He saved believe that they have been saved from a metaphor or that they are save from just going to a place that is absent of the presence of God.
That's it for now. I hope to get some feed back. That Is how I learn.

If you want the Bible references, just ask.