Shushed by the library
A friend of mine (let’s call her Jill) works in a library. As part of her responsibilities, she ran a summer program in the library for local teens, the theme of which was finding success in life. At the conclusion of the program, she invited her boyfriend (he’s her fiancé now, let’s call him John) to talk to the teens about how his Christian faith was important to his success.
Several of the teens wanted to know more about God and the Christian faith and asked John if they could meet with him to learn more. They decided to meet once a week in one of the library’s common rooms, which are open for anyone to use. It was not booked, they just chose to meet at a time when the room was rarely in use.
The library administrators learned about the meetings, and told Jill that they were not allowed to meet there anymore
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Then the library administration told Jill that, not only was the group not allowed to meet at the library, but they didn’t want them meeting anywhere, at all. The rationale was that Jill’s connection to both the library and to John made the relationship between John and the teens inappropriate.
John is still meeting with the teens away from the library.
As Jill and I talked about this situation, we wondered if the library’s reaction would have been the same if they weren’t talking about religious topics. The room was a public one, and teens themselves requested the meetings.
Do you think the library’s actions were appropriate? Does the library have the right to attempt to control activities that happen outside of its premises? Is it simply that anything religious is unfairly excluded from the public square?
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I think that did right thing. The is a public building run by the government. If John is a faithful Christian then he goes to church. He should have invited them to church, what better place to learn about god.
The Library is a public place and we are tax payers. If the room is open to the public then they should let them use the room.If it is a public room then how can you pick and choose whom may use it? Then comes the issue of rights and discrimination against a persons religious beliefs. Since they was not doing nothing illegal and not damaging the property they need a better reason.
Where in the books does it say that Religion can not be talked about? Ask for Library Policy and Procedure given by the governed by the board. They have Relgious books there! I know I have used many Library’s to finish my degree in Theology.
I say good job to the man whom is still meeting with the young men! The Youth needs him and “Hats off to him”
How has times changed but, and yet things remain the same!
They tried to stop Paul from talking and what did he do? He kept telling people about what God has done for us and how we are to live our life’s Christ like! “The perfect example”
If Christians would give more Testimonies on what God is doing in their lives and “Preach the Word” and explain what the meaning of the what The Bible is saying on how we are to live our lives. Then we wouldn’t have jails over crowded and Teens selling drugs. Teens piercing their bodies all over and not respecting themselves and their bodies. Girls having sex with girls or multiple partners.Boys having sex with each other for drugs, money, and pleasure. “The body is the temple” If we don’t stop them who will?
We need to go back to the basics again.
I heard a sermon not long ago how people who come to church. A church that has no A/C, No cushions on the wooden seats. yet people walked miles to be feed the word. Today people complain the chapel is to cold or I was to tired and slept in.Folks back then went to church as a whole family! Now parents send their kids!
As Christians we need to take a stand to a World that is full of sin and not getting better.
I wonder what Paul or John the Baptist would do? Would they have stopped? Would they have moved to another place?
I must say also by his actions which speaks thousands of words. He showed the boys how satan works in the World of today and how “Christ like people should act” He taught the boys and me a lesson that yelling and screaming is not the way to handle the problem. We must act Christ like in everything we say and in everything we do!
I agree that the libary is public place. In the libary you have books on all topics. You should be able to discuss all topics in the libary. As long as it is decent and in order.
I believe that there is coming a great persecution against the christian faith and anyone who claims Jesus. But I do believe it will bring about a revival like we have never seen before in the USA or any where else. Remember that was what first spread the gospel in the book of Acts. Pray for the courage and strength to stand for Jesus! For we will be thegeneration to see His return!
In my opinion, the “shushed by the library” article should be looked at from the context of spiritual warfare that many will not care to admit that it exists. In a culture where Christianity is persecuted under the guise of various “rules”, it is bound to happen.
Constitutional amendments made in certain states in the US prevent one from openly speaking about their Christian faith are an indication of the evil one using the legal apparatus to fight the spread of the gospel.
I beleive the library is a public building supported by our taxes. It should not deter any group meetings especially meetings that are helping our confused teenagers today.I think it was because they do not want Christian teaching anymore.
Unfortunately, our nation is headed in the direction of allowing Christian service to be prohibited in any place. On the other hand, the door is swinging open to others.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/capitolislam.asp
In 1952 President Truman established one day a year as a National Day of
Prayer.
In 1988, President Reagan designated the first Thursday in May of each
year as the National Day of Prayer.
In June 2007, (then) Presidential candidate Barack Obama declared that the
USA was no longer a Christian nation.
This year President Obama, cancelled the 21st annual National Day of
Prayer ceremony at the White House under the rouse of “not wanting to offend
anyone”
THIS WEEK, on September 25, 2009 from 4am until 7pm, a National Day of
Prayer for the Muslim religion will be held on Capitol Hill, beside the White
House. They are expecting over 50,000 Muslims that day in DC.
I guess it doesn’t matter if “Christians” are offended by this event – we
obviously don’t count as “anyone” anymore.
The direction this country is headed should strike fear in the heart of
every Christian. Especially knowing that the Muslim religion believes that if
Christians cannot be converted they should be annihilated
This is not a rumor – Go to the website to confirm this info:
_www.islamoncapitolhill.com_ (http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/)
Pay particular attention to the very bottom of the page:
“OUR TIME HAS COME”
I believe that there is nothing wrong with having religious meetings anywhere at anytime. I live in a apartment building where there is a spare greeting room for those who need to use it, many religious meetings are held there. Some religions that are different from mine, but I don’t mind at all. Some people need guildence whenever there is a chance to recieve it.
they obviously felt uncomfortable that a library-sponsored event became a religious discussion… they were probably afraid of legal repercussions regarding separation of church and state… It is always difficult when we try to talk about faith during work hours. Jill was a representative of the library during work hours, and should perhaps have organised the first meeting with John outside that context so no conflict of interest would exist.