Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

xchrom

(108,903 posts)
Sat Jun 28, 2014, 04:52 AM Jun 2014

Right-Wing Christian Group Tried to Convert This City's Kids — But They're Fighting Back

http://www.alternet.org/belief/right-wing-christian-group-tried-convert-citys-kids-theyre-fighting-back



In past summers, Child Evangelism Fellowship has targeted children in Boston, Denver, Chicago, Little Rock, Salt Lake City, and the Twin Cities for conversion to their brand of biblical fundamentalism. This summer they chose Portland, Oregon. It may have been a mistake.

Some child advocates argue that proselytizing children for religious conversion is immoral. By contrast, Child Evangelism Fellowship boldly proclaims what they see as a God-given mission:

"Child Evangelism Fellowship® is a Bible-centered worldwide organization composed of born-again believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living."

One of their key tools is an after-school program called the Good News Club, which takes place in public grade schools across the country. Good News Clubs mix snacks, games, art projects and stories with upbeat moral lessons and the theology of blood sacrifice. In a case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Child Evangelism Fellowship argued that they were entitled to operate in public schools because they are running a social and moral enrichment program akin to Scouting.

Much to the dismay of church-state watchdogs, a majority of the Court agreed, but to call Good News Clubs moral enrichment by secular standards or to liken it to Scouting, is a stretch. Despite evangelical influences in the Boy Scouts, scouting programs to a large degree emphasize virtues that are prized across both secular and religious wisdom traditions. Good News Clubs teach dark, divisive and potentially traumatic doctrines that are unique to fundamentalist forms of Christianity.
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Right-Wing Christian Group Tried to Convert This City's Kids — But They're Fighting Back (Original Post) xchrom Jun 2014 OP
I totally love living in Portland, OR dballance Jun 2014 #1
Isn't Portland overrun with new age stuff? cbayer Jun 2014 #3
LOL, You've been watching too much Portlandia dballance Jun 2014 #5
I don't know much about Portland, but I love the show. cbayer Jun 2014 #9
Portland is a city just like other cities skepticscott Jun 2014 #7
Thanks for this n/t intaglio Jun 2014 #2
I'm guessing that they target kids from underprivileged neighborhoods where options cbayer Jun 2014 #4
I'd bet you are correct. dballance Jun 2014 #6
Nothing wrong with this edhopper Jun 2014 #8
 

dballance

(5,756 posts)
5. LOL, You've been watching too much Portlandia
Sat Jun 28, 2014, 10:35 AM
Jun 2014

Portland is one of the most unique melting pots in which I've ever lived. I must say that.

The Portlandia series does a great job of satirizing us. It satirizes some of the things that are most true about us. You have to remember it is satire though. Not real life for the average Portlander.

Most of us here in Portland live a very typical, boring life. Devoid of most new age things and rooted in the reality of the present. We're pretty average Americans on the whole. Okay, we do have a little flair.

We're not really overrun with new age stuff. Though I can't say for sure that would be a bad thing.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
9. I don't know much about Portland, but I love the show.
Sat Jun 28, 2014, 10:49 AM
Jun 2014

I thought the episode with the mayor was particularly hilarious. I've always pictured it as the place where all the hippies landed after the 70's.

What is the situation with religion like there? Are there more nonbelievers than one might find in other cities?

I'm not saying anything bad about new age stuff, except to challenge your statement about Portland being more into science than mythology. I suspect, but could be wrong, that there is just as much "mythology" as one finds elsewhere, it's just in a different package.

 

skepticscott

(13,029 posts)
7. Portland is a city just like other cities
Sat Jun 28, 2014, 10:40 AM
Jun 2014

How typical of you to broadbrush what you know nothing about, based on pop culture stereotypes.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
4. I'm guessing that they target kids from underprivileged neighborhoods where options
Sat Jun 28, 2014, 07:49 AM
Jun 2014

for summer camps may be scarce.

I hope that the group formed to oppose them is able to offer some alternatives.

 

dballance

(5,756 posts)
6. I'd bet you are correct.
Sat Jun 28, 2014, 10:38 AM
Jun 2014

People in the most vulnerable of situations are usually "ripe for the picking" as they say.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»Right-Wing Christian Grou...