Obamarama 2008 Government Schools

The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism.But under the name of 'liberalism'they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program...--Norman Thomas(Six-Time Socialist Candidate for President)I am writing this assuming that you, Dear Reader, have been around Afterthoughts for a while. There is too much context that goes into a discussion on education, something I have neither the time nor inclination to recreate for the purpose of this post. If you need some context, or just a brief context refresher course, allow me to give you a few links.-Why We Homeschool is perhaps my most comprehensive post concerning our family's spiritual reasons for homeschooling. For us, homeschooling is primarily a religious act, though please note that our religion encompasses all of life, and so we are not make a sacred/secular dichotomy when we say this.-My comments in Why We Homeschool further explain that we are not jaded public school students. However, one reason why it was easy for me to embrace homeschooing was that I realized that "every formative educational experience that I can remember having" took place within a family or church environment.-Why We Don't Charter School {Part V} was a discussion on homeschooling as a political act, an economic act, an act of liberty. I explained the socialistic nature of government schools in general, and how far we have come from the days of Davy Crockett and respect for the Rule of Law. Government education, when funded at the federal level, is technically unconstitutional.There are more links, but these are the best sources of context for this current discussion.There are many different educational approaches covered in Obama's Position Paper on K-12 Education. I will not be able to discuss all of it. I believe lots of it isn't much of Anything New. However, I will bring up what I believe to be the biggest weaknesses, one positive, and the looming threats to homeschoolers.ZERO TO FIVE EDUCATIONYesterday, I discussed socialism's undermining of the nuclear family. As we see here, everything is connected.How young should a child leave home? How young should a child be when they are forsaken by their parents for many hours every day? How does a family remain intact when every activity necessarily separates their lives emotionally, geographically, and socially? These are just a few questions I have when the idea of preschool is raised.Obama's plan for this area can be boiled down to this: he will pour lots of federal money into early childhood education, and he will encourage every state to replicate Illinois' Preschool for All program.Many folks will point out that Preschool for All, like many Universal Preschool proposals, are voluntary. All I can say is "so is kindergarten". And yet, we are the only family I know of that chooses to opt out. And, actually, we feel quite obligated to do kindergarten at home. In our area, the only socially accepable reason to keep a child out of kindergarten is if you have a boy who is immature. And even then it is expected that he will begin his schooling "in kindergarten", only a year later than his peers.So my prediction is that Preschool for All will become what it says: preschool for every child. Or, more accurately, children leaving home at younger and younger ages. The separation of the family. The elimination of any potential Shema-like relationship with even our youngest members.And I think we mustn't be fooled. Though many politicians claim there is research supporting these sorts of programs, I have yet to read an actual study. {If you know of one, please email me a link.} This is really an attempt to legitimize daycare. To keep women unencumbered by their children so that they can go into the "real world" like a man does.Obama's paper says:Though parents remain the first teachers for our children, an increasing number of infants and toddlers spend significant parts of their day with caretakers other than their parents.Two observations: {1} Is anyone else disturbed that the children are referred to as "our" children instead of the parents' children? This was how Hitler referred to children when he outlawed homeschooling in the Reich. {2} Obama is failing to deal with the root issue. The problem here is not the lack of preschool, but that parents are parting with their children "in the first place". Reasons vary. Selfishness and economic hardship are probably the top two.If Obama wants to build a better America, he should formulate policies that support God's design for family. This would include building an American in which families can spend more time together, not less. Where children remain at home for more years, not fewer. Where the pressures on families are lessened, not increased. Preschool, especially cheap or free preschool, is supposed to make us feel better about leaving our children. But I don't think we should be leaving them at all."SUPPORT" FOR PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDRENObama's paper says:Proven benefits of these types of programs include improved women's prenatal health, a reduction in childhood injuries, FEWER UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES, increased involvement of fathers and INCREASED MATERNAL EMPLOYMENT, reduced use of welfare and food stamps, and increased children's school readiness.Before I analyze the parts I highlighted in the above sentence, I find it important to note that I do "not" think Obama is all bad. I do not think he is a evil man with evil intentions. What I "do" think is that is worldview is completely different from that of traditional Christianity. His programs, therefore, seek "benefits" that I do not consider benefits.In the above sentence, I highlighted the idea that Obama's parent education would benefit sociey by reducing the number of unintended pregnancies and increasing the level of maternal employment. We are not told "how" Obama's plan would reduce pregnancy, but my guess, after reading many of his statements, is that abortion would be considered a useful tool in accomplishing this goal. Also, since "maternal employment" is beneficial, we see how this form of education dovetails nicely with the Preschool for All program.In essence, all of the early education for the family is focused on separating the members from one another. We encourage women to have fewer children, get a job, and leave the children the "do" have with a state employee who is trained to encourage those children to grow up...and do the same.MONEY, MONEYAt this point, a lot of the plan goes into the financial aspects of training and recruiting teachers. There will be lots of government money flowing not just into the schools, but into the teachers themselves. They will be given scholarships. They will be given higher pay. And even higher pay if they work in schools that no one wants to work in.To some extent, I can't say that this is a bad idea. One of the reasons there are so few men employed by the schools is due to the low pay. There is no way for a man to fully provide for his family at the lower end of the payscale. If a man becomes a teacher while he is single, he might be able to move up the ranks a bit before taking a wife and bearing children. But a man in his early thirties would be highly unlikely to consider a move into the education industry.I suppose I consider this important for two reasons: {1} Even though I didn't have one of those ideal teachers in my experience, the type that you remember for the rest of your life {or so they say}, I can say with certainty that "every male teacher I had but two outshined every single female teacher". Part of this might have been from their inherent ability to better control the classroom. My other guess was that they were more logical in their explanations of the subjects--I only remember being confused when under the instruction of female teachers.Granted, this is completely subjective, but There You Go.The number {2} reason is so much more imporant: In a world where men are vilified daily, and where women are encouraged to scorn them, there isn't much better method for combatting such hateful ideology than to have good male teachers in the schools.This includes Christian schools, who could also stand to pay their teachers more.SCIENCE AND MATHObama's plan wants to increase American competency in science and math. For instance,Obama will also support state efforts to make science education a priority at the pre-K level.The Obama campaign is making a "huge" assumption: starting earlier necessarily leads to greater competency. But many would say the opposite is true. RAND Corporation, for example, has a paper on their website discussing the "benefits of delaying kindergarten altogether". These benefits reportedly do not fade over time, and are "greater for disadvantaged children"."Delaying" kindergarten is associated with "higher math scores". The RAND paper goes on, however, to explain the real reasons our society does what it does:While delaying kindergarten has a positive cognitive effect for all children, it can also have a negative economic effect on families by imposing additional childcare costs for families whose children are forced to stay out of school for another year.So the delay benefits the "children", but not the "mothers", who are encouraged to work rather than raise children. Therefore, we will sacrifice math scores in the name of cheap childcare.It is my personal belief that math and science are best saved for a more mature mind. This is based on a number of research papers I have read, none of which I have time to explain here. My purpose in stating this is only to point out that the Obama point of view is not the only point of view, nor is it necessarily even an "accurate" point of view.SCHOOL-FAMILY CONTRACTSThe Obama plan says:The Obama plan will encourage schools and parents to work together to establish a school-family contract laying out expectations for student attendance, behavior, and homework.{1} This undermines the father as head of his home. Now he must work "with "the school in setting expectations for his own child. Of course, this is a benefit of homeschooling, but most children are public schooled. Here is another instance of the destruction of traditional family structures. {2} Ask this family how they feel about giving the schools this level of control. In essence, the schools killed their child.JOSIAH SAYSSi emailed me a little sentence from Obama's website concerning education:From the moment our children step into a classroom, the single most important factor in determining their achievement is their teacher.I have already told you that, in my own experience, this statement is false. But I thought Si's observations, trying to analyze this statement through a biblical lense, was very astute:What about personal initiative? Parental influence is foundation, right? {Deut. 6:7-9 gives parents full rights and responsibilities to educate children; Prov. 9:10 speaks of true understanding; Prov. 1 is an education from father to son.}Taken to its logical conclusion, I would say that the State is "attempting to replace the father" in many areas. Education is only one.And, by the way, this started with Bush the "Republican conservative," not Obama.WHERE IS THE HOMESCHOOL?My biggest concern after reading this paper is that "homeschooling doesn't fit." This paper basically spells out the implementing of an educational system that has no room for parent-directed education that takes place in the more poetic environment of the home. There is no room for the child who would benefit from delaying math until eight, or even ten years of age.And that concerns me. Folks who believe in the public school system have occasionally said that homeschoolers are "abandoning "the public schools. That they will "fail" if we are not there.When I see a worldview that views education through the lens of an institution, I get concerned.Very concerned.UNDERMINING THE RULE OF LAWThe Constitution makes no room for the President to be involved in the education of individual children. The Founders would be appalled. We need a President who recognizes God's design for society--a President who begins not by referring to "our children," as if children were community property, but by referring to "your children" and "my children," children who belong "to a family."I will leave you with a couple quotes from Ron Paul, who is the biggest contrast to the above that I can think of:The federal government does not own our children. Yet we act as if it does by letting it decide when, how, and what our children will learn. {source}AndReturning control of education to parents is the centerpiece of my education agenda...I will veto any legislation that creates national standards or national testing for home school parents or students. I also believe that, as long as No Child Left Behind remains law, it must include the protections for home schoolers included in sec. 9506 {enshrining home schoolers' rights} and 9527 {guaranteeing no national curriculum}. Federal monies must never be used to undermine the rights of homeschooling parents. I will use the bully pulpit of the Presidency to encourage a culture of educational freedom throughout the nation. {source}

Zambian Teachers Chieftainess Flee In Fear Of Witchcraft

Above: 'Chamfwiti' (The Tree of Witches) in Chitope Village, Luangwa Valley, Zambia. Previous to 1952, the bodies of executed wizards and witches were dumped into the hollow tree. Left: A traditional healer from the Tonga, Zambia

allafrica - Pupils at Lunyike Basic School in Chipata have not been learning for two weeks because teachers have allegedly fled fearing witchcraft.

Eight teachers have so far been reported to have requested for immediate transfers following reports of witchcraft.

Lunyike Parent Teachers Association (PTA) vice chairperson, Atron Zulu confirmed that all the teachers at the school had left.

And the Ministry of Education said it was doing everything possible to normalise the situation at the school situated in Paramount Chief Mpezeni's area.

Chipata District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Kezias Lungu said his office had sent a new head teacher and deputy to the school.

He explained that his office was also trying to convince some teachers to move to the school.

Mr Lungu explained that it had not been easy to transfer teachers to the school because of the alleged reports of witchcraft in the area.

In another development, the PTA at Cronje Basic School in Chipata District has locked up the office of the deputy headteacher.

Cronje Basic School PTA chairperson, Maiko Mawelela, confirmed the development yesterday the PTA closed the office for the deputy headteacher on Wednesday last week because they wanted her to explain how finances paid by pupils for the electrification exercise was spent while the head teacher was on leave.

The PTA accused the deputy headteacher of refusing to cooperate with other members of staff adding that she has no regard for the PTA committee.

A check on Tuesday by a Times reporter found the office of the deputy headteacher at the Reformed Church in Zambia run school completely locked.

And school headteacher, Steve Mwale, who also acknowledged the closure of the deputy headteachers' office, said he was not aware of the decision made by the PTA to close the office.

And when contacted for a comment, RCZ, education board secretary, Chuluchaminga Nkhata, said he was not aware of the incident.

Zambian Chieftainess Flees Palace

lusakatimes - Chieftainess Kalaba of Mansa district in Luapula Province has fled her palace for fear of being bewitched by her subjects. And several teachers at Lupende basic school in the same chiefdom have also threatened to flee the school due to what they called incessant nightmares caused by wizards.

This came to light on Sunday when Luapula Province minister Dr Boniface Kawimbe and Mansa District Commissioner Major Chibwe Nsakasha visited the rural school.

Major Nsakasha confirmed to ZANIS that it is true chieftainess Kalaba had fled the palace due to concerns of witchcraft. The DC said the traditional ruler is living in Senama compound and she intends to move to Mano near Chipili in Mwense district.

Villagers interviewed said chieftainess Kalaba had decided not to return to her palace after fleeing because every time she attempted to do so, she fell seriously ill.

Meanwhile, teachers at Lupende Basic were found to have packed their household goods in readiness to leave the school.

Parents Teachers Association Chairperson Royd Kasapo said teachers feared for their lives due to alleged witchcraft in which both unmarried and married female teachers were sexually abused while in their sleep.

Mr Kasapo said male teachers whose wives were allegedly being used by wizards equally claimed to have been bewitched, a condition that has made them incapable of consummating their marriage responsibilities.

He disclosed that the PTA, headmen and the chieftainess had decided to bring a witch finder on March 1 this year who named five old men, including a retired headmaster at the school to be in possession of charms that enabled them to abuse women in their sleep.

The PTA chairperson said the retired headmaster, a named old man and other wizards were exorcised of their charms and have since bolted from Lupende.

The deputy head teacher Afya Mwaba narrated to Dr Kawimbe how on several occasions she experienced nightmares where she was being abused.

Ms Mwaba said the relatives of the wizards have declared to continue tormenting the teachers publicly telling them that what they were experiencing in the night will continue because the charms they have were a family inheritance.

Luapula Province Minister appealed to the headmen and parents in the community to help resolve the problems teachers are facing.

Dr Kawimbe said Government has very few teachers and if the seven teachers at Lupende abandoned the school, it will be closed and the community will continue to remain backwards.

NOTE: here is an excellent site that explains witchcraft and satanism in Zambia...Lon

"ATTENTION, ALL CITIZENS OF CALIFORNIA!

- 'Attention, all citizens of California!'.....he should also put out a smog alert. I thought he was going to barf up a lung! Lon

Zambian Teachers, Chieftainess Flee in Fear of Witchcraft

Origin: alchemy-and-alchemists.blogspot.com

Hinduism Summit In Chicago On 5 June 2010

The Meeting for Hindu Stimulation, a nonprofit, tax confer, evolving Hindu connection in USA (www.HinduAwakening.org).is organizing the first ever HINDUISM Peak (Hindu Dharma Sabha) in the Significant Chicago Approach. This get-together soul be said by the Meeting FOR HINDU Stimulation (FHA) with take from unambiguous Hindu and spiritual organizations. The Hinduism Peak aims to exhort an understanding about the unmatched science in back Hinduism concepts and practices, and hand over practical way on living Hinduism open describing of Holy mantras, speeches by Hindu leaders, a salubrious circus of posters, books and spiritual products

The Hinduism Peak soul be said on

Nija Vaishakh Krushna Ashtami,

5112 ((Saturday, 5 June 2010)

at Hindu Memorial Of Basin Province,

Chicago, IL, USA.

It is unloading blessings and take from Hindus forcefully the world,

the in mint condition while the blessings from

Jagadguru Sri Shankaracharya Swami Jayendra Saraswati of Kanchi Kamkoti Peeth,

P.P. Pande Maharaj of Sanatan Sanstha.

H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of The Art of Inhabit Foundation and

Swami Sarvadevananda from Vedanta Camaraderie of Southern California, Hollywood Memorial

The fasten less than leads to the in mint condition item about this event:

http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/events/event.php?id=81

This soul be a free, interactive get-together for role who is odd in understanding, living or preserving Hinduism. It soul in addition be webcast survive from FHA website.

The Women Living Well Book Club Chapter 5 Never Walk Alone

Welcome back to the Women Living Well Book Club!

CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION

Image via Sally Clarkson

In Chapter 5, I list the 4 ways I have found community, accountability and friendship within the church.

1. WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDIES - raise your hand if you have been in a women's Bible study!

Women's Bible Studies are not all created equally. Depending on the leader, the book choice and the group that attends - experiences can vary. For me personally, this has been a huge piece of the puzzle of my spiritual growth and connection with other Christian women. I LOVE Women's Bible Studies and highly recommend you join one or start one in your home or at your church!

HEBREWS 10:24 SAYS, "AND LET US CONSIDER HOW WE MAY SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS."

2. MENTORSHIP/DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY - When I was in 9th grade I was mentored/discipled for the very first time. I talk about this mentor named Holly in my book. Holly and I met - one on one - on a weekly basis for 2 years when I was in high school. Holly was only 2 years older than me - but she had a huge influence in my life. She held me accountable for my daily Bible reading and walk with God and she listened, counseled and befriended me. When she left my high school youth group, to attend the Moody Bible Institute - it wasn't long until I followed in my mentors footsteps and joined her on her dorm floor as a student too!

Holly took the time to invest in me. Who can you invest in? You are never too young! And now she is a missionary in the Ukraine {she continues to inspire me through her life} and the last time she was home on furlough - our kids played together - here are some pictures below.

3. TITUS 2 WORSHOPS - CONNECTING WITH OLDER WOMEN - If you are a young woman, the Bible says we NEED older women and if you are older- the Bible says you need to be with the younger women. We need each other. We need your wisdom, insight, leadership and example. Young ones - if you don't have an older woman to learn off of - pray for one.

PROVERBS 27:17 SAYS "AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, SO ONE MAN SHARPENS ANOTHER"."

4. GOOD MORNING GIRLS - (THE BACKGROUND STORY) When I started the very first Good Morning Girls Group at my home church (which was previously titled the '6AM Club') in 2007 - it was all about accountability. I knew I needed accountability for my daily quiet times and that is just what Good Morning Girls provided for me. This sweet group of 5 ladies emailed each other every.single.day for years and years.

But little did we know that our little group of 5 would one day in August of 2009 - turn into 120 Good Morning Girls here on Women Living Well! These groups kept on multiplying and multiplying, to the point that I was at 600 women and I needed some on-line help to manage it all.

This winter, GMG enrolled 13,000 women in our on-line Bible Study - Praise God!
"TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GOOD RETURN FOR THEIR WORK: IF ONE FALLS DOWN, HIS FRIEND CAN HELP HIM UP. BUT PITY THE MAN WHO FALLS AND HAS NO ONE TO HELP HIM UP!" ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10

LET'S DISCUSS:

Here's a - very brief - 1 minute video of my closing thoughts on this section of the book - "Your Walk with God".

(if you are reading this in the feed - click here to view the video)

1.) Tell Us About A Bible Study You Have been Involved In Or A Mentor Or A Titus 2 Woman In Your Life, That You Have Connected With On A Spiritual Level. How Did That Affect Your Spiritual Growth?

2.) Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (posted Above), How Can You Apply This In Your Life?

FOR EXTRA DISCUSSION GO TO THE FORUM AND CLICK ON THE THREAD THAT SAYS "CHAPTER 5

Walk with the King,

"COURTNEY"

You just finished reading The Women Living Well Book Club - Chapter 5 {Never Walk Alone}! Consider leaving a comment!

Click here to download the *FREE* ebook titled >>> "THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN - ONE VIRTUE AT A TIME.">WOMEN LIVING WELL COMPANION STUDY GUIDE.

The World Core Curriculum An Occult Influence In Schools Today

PROPHECY SIGN: THE COMING GLOBAL CONVERGENCE - THE ONE WORLD GOVERNANCE, ECONOMY, RELIGION

The Illuminati, the Bilderbergs, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Trilateral Commission, the Club of Rome, the New Agers. All groups that have been associated with the coming New World Order, and the global one world governance system.

You may think it all to be nothing but conspiracy, but there are groups that are dedicated to bringing about this new global order, or a new consciousness as they like to call it. From new school curriculum that is designed to indoctrinate children to love the idea of this new order, to new agers such as Barbara Marx Hubbard who are preaching to the masses of the coming global consciousness change. Groups are pushing the concept of global government like never before, and at the same time are working feverishly to rid the world of biblical Christianity and the morality that goes with the faith in an Almighty God.

"THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TAKE THEIR STAND AND THE RULERS GATHER TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS ANOINTED ONE.' ACTS 4:26 NIV"

THE WORLD CORE CURRICULUM: AN OCCULT INFLUENCE IN SCHOOLS TODAY?"The World Core Curriculum (WCC) is a document written by Robert Muller, former assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, which sets forth principles to govern the world's education programmes. The underlying worldview of the WCC is based on the teachings of Alice Bailey that came from her spirit guide, Djwhal Khul. IT IS DESIGNED TO INDOCTRINATE CHILDREN INTO THE CONCEPT OF GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP, FOR A FORTHCOMING NEW WORLD ORDER AND A ONE WORLD, NEW AGE, PANTHEISTIC RELIGION WITH A BELIEF THAT ALL IS ONE AND GOD IS IN EVERYTHING. "http://suite101.com/article/the-world-core-curriculum-an-occult-influence-in-schools-today-a363648

The Brits Are Coming

Picture: Northern Baptist Seminary's New President

The Board of Trustees of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary has released the following press release:

On March 7, 2008, in a meeting characterized by a profound sense of God's leading, the Board of Trustees of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary unanimously elected the Rev Dr. Alistair Brown the Seminary's tenth President.

Dr. Brown currently serves as the General Director of the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS) with its World Mission headquarters in Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK. The General Director is the CEO. BMS is responsible for 160 mid and long term mission workers and 200 plus supported partner workers (indigenous personnel). The Society has a staff of 70 with an annual budget of 14.4 million dollars.

After a short career in journalism, Dr Brown sensed a call to ministry and studied at the University of Edinburgh, gaining a BA with Merit, a BD Honours degree in New Testament Language, Literature and Theology, and a PhD with a thesis that examined metaphors of baptism in the Pauline literature. Later, while serving with BMS, he gained an MBA from The Open University.

Dr. Brown has told friends for years that the only thing that could ever pull him away from his current role is preparing people for ministry. As he pondered the possibility of becoming Northern's president he wrote, "Walking by faith never ends, so exploring this role is part of my faith journey. Christ is more real and more precious now than ever before, and my determination to know and do his will controls all my decisions.... With every breath and every act I seek to serve Jesus and always will." In responding to Northern's call he quoted the language of Northern's prospectus seeking a new president, "The next leader of Northern will come because following Jesus offers no other choice."

The Chair of Northern's Board and chair of the search, Ted Rodgers, stated, "We are profoundly grateful to God for guiding us to Alistair Brown. Dr. Brown is a proven effective and visionary leader with the skills and breadth and depth of experience necessary to lead Northern as she approaches her second century of preparing congregational leaders."

In his letter to the Board of Trustees of March 7, 2008 Dr. Brown stated, "It's said that nothing ever takes God by surprise. I agree. But God certainly takes us by surprise. God holds me, as he holds Northern in his firm grasp, and that's all we need.... Right now we may be a little surprised at what God is doing. I look forward to the surprise turning into wonder and gratitude as we see God accomplish far more than we can imagine."

I welcome the new president to Northern Baptist Seminary. May his tenure with us be a blessing to our institution.

Claude Mariottini

Professor of Old Testament

Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: Alistair Brown, Northern Baptist Seminary

Credit: wiccalessons.blogspot.com

He Was A Practicing Witch

Wiccan altar puts teacher, officials at odds By LEE ROOD o lrood@dmreg.com o March 2, 2010GUTHRIE CENTER, IA. - A high school senior's desire to build a Wiccan altar in shop class has forced a community debate about free expression.Dale Halferty, who has taught industrial arts at Guthrie Center High School for three years, was placed on paid leave Monday after he acknowledged to district officials that he told the student he could not build the altar in class. "THIS IS NOT A BEEF THAT I HAVE WITH THE DISTRICT. IT'S NOT ME AGAINST THEM," said Halferty, who has been an educator for much of the past 20 years. "But this kid was practicing his religion during class time, and I don't agree."Halferty said he previously told another student he could not build a cross in shop class because he believes in the separation of church and state. "I DON'T WANT ANY RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN THE SHOP," he said.His viewpoint: "WE AS CHRISTIANS DON'T GET TO HAVE OUR SAY DURING SCHOOL TIME, SO WHY SHOULD HE?" School officials say Christians actually do get to express themselves in the same way. More than one school policy, as well as state and federal law, prohibit discrimination against students who express religious beliefs through school assignments.Superintendent Steve Smith and Principal Garold Thomas said they placed Halferty on leave while they conferred with the school's attorney to decide what to do.Both Smith and Thomas said the incident has become emotional for the high school's 185 students: Almost 70 signed a petition late last week saying they didn't want witchcraft practiced at the school. "I THINK IT'S FEAR BASED ON SOME OF THE OLD IDEAS PEOPLE HAD ABOUT WITCHCRAFT," Smith said. "It's fear and a lack of knowledge about the unknown."Neither Smith nor school officials identified the student at the center of the controversy, and the boy's father declined a request made through Thomas to be interviewed.Smith acknowledged that some people have expressed fears about satanism or sacrifices.He said they too could use some educating: Though Wicca is often subject to such myths, it is nonviolent and based on a shared reverence for the Earth and all living things. Halferty was sent home for the first time Friday and told to think about what he was doing.He said he had no beef with the student or his project - until the student told him he was a practicing witch."I said, 'Ah, you're kidding, right?'"When the student said he wasn't, Halferty told him he could work on his project - a table that would become the altar - provided he kept religious materials at home.However, he said, the student kept returning to class with a book of witchcraft. Halferty said he thought about it, and decided allowing the student to make the altar "was wrong on every level.""It scares me. I'm a Christian," he said. "This witchcraft stuff - it's terrible for our kids. It takes kids away from what they know, and leads them to a dark and violent life. We spend millions of tax dollars trying to save kids from that."But Smith said school policies prohibit teachers from denying students access to varying points of view without just cause, and prohibit employees from denying students participation in activities on the grounds of race or religion. The U.S. Department of Education has written guidelines for public school districts to ensure students' First Amendment rights are protected.Ben Stone, executive director of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union, said the clash appears to be a simple case of religious discrimination. All students, he said, have the right to religious freedom and to be treated equally in school.Stone said: "The teacher may have good intentions. It's a learning process. But he needs to respect that students can exercise their religious viewpoints within the context of an assignment." SEE Suggested ebooks:Anonymous - The Laws For WitchesAnonymous - The Lawes Against WitchesKeywords: aleister crowley satan chakras and meditation mr aleister crowley the necronomicon spellbook enochian table easy astral travel crowley thelema paganism gods

Should Public Schools Rent To Religious Groups

Earlier this month, 44 people were arrested while protesting a ban which would bar religious groups from conducting worship services in New York's public schools. 68 congregations will be effected by the ban, but a majority, if not all, of these congregations are Christian. Led by their pastors the protestors chanted "Freedom of Worship!" They discussed their congregations' community service record to clarify their charitable nature. New York's Department of Education responded they were "concerned about having any school in this diverse City identified with one particular religious belief or practice."

Did these public schools, and by extension the government, expose students to the religious ideas or activities which occurred there after hours? Some pastors claim to have no interaction with students and others admit they interact with students only after hours in the form of tutoring or other charity for students of all beliefs. While not explicitly stated in the article, it seems during the school week there are no signs of the religious organization within the school. As any exposure to these congregations in voluntary, I do not understand how the school would become identified with one religious belief.

Considering the constitutionality of this ban seems fair as protestors were chanting for "Freedom of Worship!" This ban doesn't circumscribe these congregations' religious freedom as they are still free to believe what they wish, practice their religion and to rent another building to worship in. The First Amendment guards against laws "respecting an establishment of religion" which includes "connoted sponsorship, financial support, and active involvement of the sovereign in religious activity." Allowing these congregations to meet does not violate the first amendment. However, these congregant's religious freedoms aren't being infringed either.

Secondly, they argue that when they are barred from meeting in public schools they can no longer help the community, which can be argued is a tenet of their religion. I have read multiple descriptions of this ban which is described as either a ban against religious groups meeting on public property or specifically banning religious worship in public school buildings after hours. If the latter is true, these groups will still be able to rent public schools, and the ban will not affect their ability to use the school as a base for their charity work. If it is the former, their capacity to quickly and efficiently reach those in need, especially students, may be hampered although their charity would not necessarily have to end.

An article describing the same case in 2005, discusses a judgment in favor of the congregations. However in this earlier article, the discomfort of New York City's citizens towards churches occupying schools even after hours is more obvious. Does the government attempt to steer clear of religious groups since their mere presence is enough to make some constituents uncomfortable? Unless there are extenuating circumstances, it seems fair that all groups should be able to rent public spaces. The situation in New York illustrates that the government views religious and secular groups as separate and different entities. If these congregations are paying rent, not influencing students who attend the school during normal hours, and enriching the community why should they not be allowed to meet at schools?

Dr Robert Webber An Obituary

The following obituary was published in Northern Seminary's Web page:

Northern Mourns the Death of Dr. Robert Webber

April 30th, 2007

Northern Seminary is saddened by the loss of Myers Chair of Ministry, Dr. Robert E. Webber, who died Friday April 27 at age 73 at his home in Sawyer, Michigan, after an eight-month struggle with pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Webber's work and witness have impacted the evangelical world by bringing worship and ministry back to their historical Christian roots as established by the early church. Because of his influence through the publication of significant works like The Complete Library of Christian Worship, his Ancient-Future Series (The Divine Embrace, Ancient-Future Time, Ancient-Future Evangelism and Ancient-Future Faith), the "Chicago Call" in 1977 and more recently "The Call to an Ancient-Evangelical Future" in 2006, the church and a generation of pastors have been encouraged to challenge old assumptions about what constitutes an effective Christian witness in today's postmodern culture.

"Robert Webber influenced many thousands of Christian leaders through his speaking and writing," said Dr. Charles Hambrick-Stowe, Dean of the Seminary and Professor of Christian History. "Two qualities are at the heart of his teaching ministry - authenticity and accessibility. Northern Seminary students were blessed by these qualities in the classroom, in informal conversations on and off campus, and in times of prayer. We on the faculty were constantly blessed by his wisdom, his humor, and the no-nonsense way he brought the gospel to bear on everyday circumstances. We are grateful to have enjoyed Bob's presence among us these last seven years, which he described as the best years of his teaching career."

Dr. Webber was born in the Congo to Baptist missionary parents, and was raised in the Philadelphia area. Webber's educational path was denominationally diverse and unique-a BA from Bob Jones University (Greenville, NC); a BD at Reformed Episcopal Seminary; a ThM at Covenant Seminary (Presbyterian Church in America) and a ThD at Concordia Seminary (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod).

He began his teaching career at Covenant College in 1960; Covenant Seminary in 1965; and then spent 32 years teaching at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL) beginning in 1968 as Professor of Theology. In 1998, Webber founded the Institute for Worship Studies (now the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies) in Florida, which is a Masters and Doctorate level graduate school focused on the study of the theological, biblical, historical, sociological and missiological foundations of Christian worship. Webber retired from Wheaton in 2000 and was named Professor Emeritus upon his retirement. Also in 2000, Webber was appointed Myers Chair of Ministry at Northern Seminary and stated in his inaugural address, "Northern's commitment to develop a new kind of seminary education to prepare men and women for ministry in a postmodern world, is visionary and compelling. It's a great honor to be a part of this cutting-edge vision!"

Webber leaves behind a wife, Joanne, four children, John (Isabel), Alexandra (Jack), Stefany (Tom), and Jeremy (Susie), seven grandchildren, and a rich legacy of friends, colleagues and students.

Memorial services will be held in the Chicago area (details to follow) and at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park, FL on Friday, June 15 at 7 p.m., during the June session of the Institute for Worship Studies. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Robert E. Webber Center for an Ancient Evangelical Future, c/o Northern Seminary, 660 E. Butterfield Rd. Lombard, IL 60148 or the Robert E. Webber Endowment Fund at the Institute for Worship Studies, 151 Kingsley Ave. Orange Park, FL 32073.

Northern Seminary will be erecting a Memorial page on our website to honor Robert E. Webber through the thoughts, comments and memories of his friends, students and colleagues. If you would like to submit a thought or comment for this page, please go to: Webber Memorial Page Tribute.

P. S. For more information visit www.seminary.edu

Claude Mariottini

Professor of Old Testament

Northern Baptist Seminary

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Groups Protest Muslim Prayers At Toronto Public School

GROUPS Admonish MUSLIM PRAYERS AT TORONTO Native Educate

Snap Inside TO Monitor THIS NEW Get trapped in From CITYTV, Toronto - Snap Inside TO GO TO THE CITYTV WEBSITE AND Speech ON THE Supporting QUESTION: DO YOU Ponder MUSLIM PRAYERS Necessity BE Official IN SCHOOL?

Guaranteed faith-based groups protested detached the Toronto Region Educate Board's foundation Monday from end to end Muslim prayers plunder place in a Toronto school.

For three years, hundreds of students sustain been praying in the buffet at Valley Take Crux Educate during their breakfast hour. The school doesn't run or pay for the service.

TDSB more of tuition Chris Spence thought the discovery to lever the prayer sessions was made in viewers with the school community.

The service is operated by members of the Valley Take community, and was un-opposed by parents of other students at the school before Ron Banerjee, claiming to haul a group called the Canadian Hindu Advocacy, began petulant faster this appointment.

"When you sustain 400 students coming in and out of class...it's lucky difficult," thought Banerjee, who traditional Monday's protest. "It's unjust. It raises stacks of questions in provisos of 'Why are Muslims unaided existence decriminalized to do this?' This is part of the Islam-ification of partaker."

Members of the Jewish Defence Interest group of Canada and the Christian Bequest Brand equally took part in the protest.

80 per cent of Valley Take students are Muslim, and the school began the Friday services to deposit students from alone classes to pray at a nearby mosque.

The TDSB fortified the sessions, saying it's frankly awkward to dwelling the sanctimonious beliefs of its several Muslim students, as mandated by the Ontario Possible Job Series.

It thought the problem is not one about religion in schools but about sanctimonious household.

"We sustain a in the main Muslim inhabitants in the partisan massiveness, so the parents were asking for a space anywhere we can set free for Friday prayers," board trustee, Shaun Chen before told CityNews.

Banerjee doesn't buy it.

"If they hope to dwelling the Muslim students, they get a one hour breakfast break, the mosque is five minutes sideways, they can ethical speak in confidence them to charge a breakfast and during your one-hour break go off to the mosque."

In the meantime, Canada's prevalent Hindu group, Canadian Hindu Earn, says the views of the Canadian Hindu Advocacy are not agent of mainstream Hindus.

Way us your sentence or clarification to xzone@xzoneradiotv.com

Ft Public Svcs Librarian Columbia Univ Ny

PUBLIC SERVICES LIBRARIAN, COLUMBIA UNIV/BURKE LIBRARY - NY

Columbia University Libraries/Information Services seeks an experienced professional to serve as Public Services Librarian for The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary. This position is located in Morningside, NY.

Reporting to the Director, the Public Services Librarian will develop and coordinate access, instructional, and research support services, expanding access to and usage of the Burke Library's rich research collections and information resources. For more information about the Burke Library, see http://library.columbia.edu/burke.

The responsibilities of this position include the development and implementation of instructional and other educational programming, such as orientations, workshops, course-related instruction, online guides, etc. The Public Services Librarian serves as the coordinator of access services and manages circulation, course reserves, interlibrary loan, and document delivery services for the library. The position will supervise one support staff member and several student assistants. The Public Services Librarian also leads the Burke Library's outreach activities, including events, exhibitions, its website and social media presence. The Public Services Librarian will collaborate with colleagues from across the Columbia University Libraries/Information Services (including the Assessment Coordinator and the Communications Coordinator), the Center for Digital Research and Scholarship, and the Center for New Media Teaching and Learning to plan and recommend new service programs. The position will also participate on Libraries-wide task forces and working groups.

The Burke Library is world renown, containing rich collections for theological study and research with holdings of over 700,000 items including unique and special materials. The Burke Library maintains its commitment to the needs of both teaching and research, serving the faculty, students, and staff of Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University, the New York Theological Seminary, as well as a wide spectrum of national and international scholars and researchers. Union Theological Seminary in New York City prepares students in professional and research degree programs for leadership in the church, academy, and society. For more information about UTS, see http://www.utsnyc.edu.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

-An accredited MLS or an advanced degree in a relevant subject area or an equivalent combination of education and experience

-Effective supervisory skills

-Strong organizational and project management skills

-Excellent oral and written communications skills

-Successful experience working effectively with faculty, students, and other staff in a collaborative environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

-2-3 years experience in an academic library environment, preferably supporting theological education

-An advanced degree in theology or religion

-Evidence of effective teaching

-Demonstrated technical proficiency and interest in using new technologies to enhance support for teaching, learning, and research

-Working knowledge of one or more languages used in theological and religious studies research (e.g., Hebrew, Greek, Latin, German, French, Spanish)

For complete details, see: https://academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1385061597371 (Sources: Indeed.com, ARL.org)