***What would you do***?

Question

So this is happening where I live

A Christian man has been approaching an elementary school 3 days in a row because he wants to preach to the staff and students about God.

3 times he has been escorted away and now the cops have been called in. Do you think this is right...?

I do. NOT because he is religious but for the sole reason that he is not allowed on school property without permission. If I found out that a man was REPEATEDLY approaching the school where my children go and not listening to authorities I would be livid.

Where are your thoughts on the matter. If he is preaching God's words, do that make it okay? Or does the safety of our children take precedence?

Andy - he WAS on school ground and if you want the link for PROOF check out my other question. I would not make this up JEEZ

well Yahoo has frozen AGAIN today; Here is the follow up question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArpOrMZnXHGUkdfAubnedEbsy6IX?qid=20061103124617AAHKUwO

Answer 1

Safety of the children takes precedence. This is not a question of religious freedom, but a question of child safety.

NOBODY goes to an elementary school, where parents trust that "strangers" will be kept at bay, without an appointment. All else shall be escorted.

This guy, though his intentions may be good, should learn and back down. Want to preach to the teachers? Make an appointment. Want to preach to the kids? Become a guest speaker, if the school will allow it. Else that, stay away.

Answer 2

Well, first thing I'd do is talk to your kid(s) about it. It's important they're made aware of the situation and your fears about it.

Then you can discuss religion/faith with them yourself. I think you would trust yourself or your own pastor/rabbi/guru more that some stranger stalking a school.

If by law, he is not allowed in the school premises, then he should leave. Some places do have laws against preachers preaching in public places. The constitution itself does not prohibit it, though.

If the teachers, the staff, the children, or the parents would rather have him leave, he should leave. He will only get negative attention at that point.

All that said, I am a religious man. I don't believe preaching in schools is a bad thing, but if I were him, I'd wait for an invite.

God bless.

Answer 3

First and for most the Bible states to obey the laws of the land and to obey them that have rule over you. If the school does not permit this, then this man should stop coming there. Now a days, schools cannot take a chance with strangers coming to their school. The safety of the children is up most important. If this man is really called of God to preach, he needs to go somewhere else where it is okay to preach. I am with you, if someone kept coming back to the school my son goes to after authorities had told him not to, I would be livid too. I would think he is up to something. God does not want any of us to push religion "down someones throat".

Answer 4

As a christian I can honestly say that I'd for sure want him forceably removed from the area. I would not want some whacko telling my kid about religion, anymore than I like his teacher telling him that democrats are the good guys because "the right to choose" is what its all about. That ticks me off, he has no reason to be discussing the right to choose with 11 year olds. Personally, I'm not republican, but that's not the point, and that doesn't mean I condone abortion, and he should not be gearing my kid toward "the right to choose" at his age, any more than some whacko has for "preaching" to children. That guy can preach to the parents, and if he turns out to not be a nutcase, they can relay the message.

Answer 5

A christian has every right to discuss their beliefs as anyone does. BUT, our children are protected in schools and any man of God would know that. He cant be on school grounds. its against the rules that provide safety. and also, many there arent Christian. He should talkto adults only first off. A child is too young for him to go and impose his views on. He deosnt know what the parents believe. I try to be sort of trusting, , but in todays world how easy is that. I honestly believe any man doing this is not straight up, as why is he going for the kids and breaking laws to do it . Christians are to obey the laws of the land unless a law is contrary to Gods word. And yes, our childrens safety do take precedence. Would he want someone coming up and talking witchcraft to his child at school? I THINK NOT.
Keep an eye on him, and report it any time you see him near by. I have a feelingon this, and since God gives me the gift of prophecy, I would say he needs to get caught andsoon. Thanks for the kool question.

Answer 6

What if i were to do the same thing in a peaceable manner except I am Wiccan? I would probably not only be escorted away but put in jail for a night or two.

But religion aside it is not the thing to do. How is anyone to know he isn't a sex offender, or drug dealer, posing as someone just trying to spread the word.

If he really feels adamant about preaching to people he should get a sign and carry it around at the local park like all the protesters and preachers here do.

Answer 7

It's not a matter of whether the man has a right to express his religious views or not, it's a matter of doing so in an appropriate place and manner. School isn't a place for preaching; it's a place of learning.

He should publish an invitation for the whole community to come hear him preach at his church, or at a venue he has rented for that purpose. Those who are interested can attend. He's not entitled to a captive audience of students at their place of learning.

Answer 8

I am a Catholic priest, my name is Fr. John. Just because He preaches in the name of God does not mean He is doing a ministry as God would. I do not believe it is okay to preach of God while ignoring the suspicions, fears, concerns, culture, traditions, and laws of the land or a people. I do believe in evangelization, but it must be done with prudence and compassion. One must know the land and people they preach to as the example of St. Paul teaches. The gentleman you refer to SEEMS to be filled with zeal, but he is not wise. Yes, he must evangelize, but accordingly with the laws of the land and people. If he continues to preach against the good and protective laws of the land, then he does not preach as St. Paul teaches us to or as Christ has done. If he continues to preach while infringing on the rights of others, then he will reap the consequence. So, the protection of children is godly. Mentioning God's name does not take precedence over the rights and protection of those God loved the most and called us all to imitate; the children.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May He let the light of His face shine upon you.
God's and your beast of burden
Fr. john

P.S.

I did not appreciate the comment one person made that it was probably a pedophile priest. Although I will always admit that there are those of our brotherhood that have caused great harm to the people of God and their children, I will also say the truth that not every priest is a pedophile. In fact there are very few in number when compared to other occupations and vocations. I would hope that their heart will soon cool in its cynacism and anger and allow God's grace to heal them of such hatred.

Answer 9

This is sick. The man was probably mentally ill, or not very intelligent, otherwise how to explain this behavior? Preaching to children is obviously wrong, because they have to listen to their parents, not to some stranger.

And you are right about the safety issue, because someone behaving this way cannot be trusted. What if he has other reasons?

Answer 10

It does not matter the reason, but an unauthorized person trying to gain access to a school should be arrested if he or she has been asked not to be there by the school officials. It is a safety concern for the children above all else.