[Vision2020] For Heaven's Sake, Stop Preying on Little Kids

Thu Sep 24 12:05:26 PDT 2009

I have tremendous interest in kids coming to know Jesus Christ and his teachings.  This, however, isn't the way to do it, and I hope this ministry, which I imagine is not in any way connected to Christ Church or NSA, takes a big step back and reassess its approach to evangelism.  

There are sincere, if misguided, believers who dearly love children, Christ, and the Gospel.  Unfortunately, most of us have taught our kids to not take balloons, candy, etc., from strangers -- strangers who often, and perversely, use the "it's from/about Jesus" line to lure little ones.  Obviously that's not happening here, but I'd really like to see the Church taking into account what we've taught our children and respecting it by not approaching them without parental understanding and approval of the message behind the engagement.  Acts of "corporate kindness" to children, in the form of vacation Bible schools, support for public schools and teachers, donations of clothes and supplies for kids, and ministry to the poor and hurting parents in Moscow (as well as to the affluent and secure) is a much better way to affect families with the Gospel of Christ.  

Which really ought to seem evident . . .

Keely
www.keely-prevailingwinds.com

> Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:49:48 -0700
> From: thansen at moscow.com
> To: vision2020 at moscow.com
> Subject: [Vision2020] For Heaven's Sake, Stop Preying on Little Kids
> 
> Courtesy of today's (September 24, 2009) Moscow-Pullman Daily News with
> special thanks to William Brock and "Sarah".
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------
> 
> HIS VIEW: For Heaven's sake, stop preying on little kids
> By William Brock
> 
> Pssst, evangelists, could I have a word with you, please? Pay attention,
> because this is important.
> 
> Leave the little kids alone!
> 
> In case you missed it, I'll repeat the message. Leave the little kids alone!
> 
> My warning is prompted by a steady drumbeat of incidents, and the latest
> thump occurred Saturday at the Moscow Farmers Market. A friend of mine,
> whom I'll call "Sarah," was there with her daughter and a little friend.
> 
> The girls were enjoying themselves on the play structure in Friendship
> Square when Sarah's attention was diverted momentarily. When she respotted
> them, the girls were near a door to the bathrooms in New Saint Andrews
> College.
> 
> The girls, ages 4 and 5, were accepting balloons - pink, no less - from a
> 50ish-year-old woman. The girls had eyes only for the balloons, but the
> woman was bending close to speak to them. As Sarah approached, she heard
> balloon lady declare, " and then you'll be saved."
> 
> Sarah is among the most mild-mannered and reasonable people I know, but
> this incident overloaded her civility circuits. I can't say if flames shot
> out her ears, but she let balloon lady know in unambiguous terms that she
> was wildly out of bounds.
> 
> Amen, sister.
> 
> In fact, peddling big ideas about spirituality to little kids isn't simply
> out of bounds, it's creepy. And using balloons and ice cream to lure them
> in is a little bit sleazy. You read that right: creepy and sleazy.
> 
> Local evangelists may think their $22 weekly outlay for balloons, ice
> cream and Dora stickers qualifies them as philanthropists, but they are
> wrong. Plenty of child molesters spend more than that, but they don't try
> to pass themselves off as do-gooders.
> 
> Like rats to a granary, there's no shortage of people who want to nibble
> at the minds of succulent children when Mommy and Daddy aren't looking.
> This is why a lot of people in Moscow and Pullman are revolted by
> evangelists who target elementary and preschool kids.
> 
> Why? Because if you want to talk with young children about anything more
> sophisticated than finger painting, then you need to talk with their
> parents. Period.
> 
> Why? Because parents, or their surrogates, are the ones who feed and
> shelter and nurture these children. Parents are the ones who buckle them
> into car seats. If you are interested in "saving" or "protecting" a child,
> then all roads lead to Mom or Dad.
> 
> This holds true if you're talking about swimming in the river, riding a
> bike without a helmet or that pesky matter of eternal damnation. When I
> tell my 3-year-old to look both ways before crossing the street, I don't
> want her to reply, "I don't need to, Dad, because the balloon lady says
> I'll be saved."
> 
> Regular readers will recall my last column, framed in mild and
> conciliatory terms, was about this very topic. As I did then, I'll repeat
> now that I am not criticizing religion. I'm genuinely happy for members of
> the flock who have found spiritual faith.
> 
> But faith isn't the issue here. The issue is predatory behavior toward
> children. Those of you who think such behavior is OK need to step forward
> and identify yourselves to the police.
> 
> In case you're not sure, here's a hint: It is not - nor has it ever been,
> nor will it ever be - OK to prey on young children, no matter how
> altruistic you think you are.
> 
> Unfortunately, some folks cannot grasp this concept, which means they will
> do whatever it takes to put the word of God - or the fear of God - into
> the ears of children.
> 
> Developing a system of spiritual belief is a delicate and personal
> process, particularly for youngsters who are still learning how to use the
> potty. That's why it's a job best left to parents and family intimates,
> not strangers handing out balloons and ice cream.
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Seeya at Farmers' Market, Moscow.
> 
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
> 
> "The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
> and the Realist adjusts his sails."
> 
> - Unknown
> 
> 
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