Cheerleaders' Scripture-Quoting Football Signs Face Constitutional Challenge

I agree, Bro. Karl, that how we handle ‘young’ (in age and spiritual maturity) Christians is important. IOW, we don’t want to scold or mock or discourage folks from delighting in Scripture, even if they are misusing it. It should be, however, an opportunity for teaching the proper use of Scripture, and while I wouldn’t want to discourage these young people, I also don’t want to encourage them to continue to do this kind of thing.

The problem with this and similar situations, IMO, is that it becomes politicized and framed as a gov’t vs. church debate, as if the church is being persecuted, which inspires people to ‘fight’ for something that is, well, theologically questionable.

[Susan R]

I agree, Bro. Karl, that how we handle ‘young’ (in age and spiritual maturity) Christians is important. IOW, we don’t want to scold or mock or discourage folks from delighting in Scripture, even if they are misusing it. It should be, however, an opportunity for teaching the proper use of Scripture, and while I wouldn’t want to discourage these young people, I also don’t want to encourage them to continue to do this kind of thing.

Yup.

But, sad to say, the churches from which these young people derive probably think that this is “Top Level” Christianity.

In our society today, (and in years past) a good, Godly pastor can preach until he’s blue in the face, and “his church” will still turn out young people who dress like public school cheerleaders (in church!), couples who think living together is no big deal, etc… Trying to teach up to the next level on something like this would probably get you a sideways glance and an “Are You KIDDING me???” expression in response.

I’m am in no way disagreeing with you. We must try, and work, and teach… and be ready for the fact that most of the time, they just don’t get it.

[Rev Karl]

[Susan R]

I agree, Bro. Karl, that how we handle ‘young’ (in age and spiritual maturity) Christians is important. IOW, we don’t want to scold or mock or discourage folks from delighting in Scripture, even if they are misusing it. It should be, however, an opportunity for teaching the proper use of Scripture, and while I wouldn’t want to discourage these young people, I also don’t want to encourage them to continue to do this kind of thing.

Yup.

But, sad to say, the churches from which these young people derive probably think that this is “Top Level” Christianity.

In our society today, (and in years past) a good, Godly pastor can preach until he’s blue in the face, and “his church” will still turn out young people who dress like public school cheerleaders (in church!), couples who think living together is no big deal, etc… Trying to teach up to the next level on something like this would probably get you a sideways glance and an “Are You KIDDING me???” expression in response.

I’m am in no way disagreeing with you. We must try, and work, and teach… and be ready for the fact that most of the time, they just don’t get it.

Or, maybe some churches are just not very good at discipleship? The last few churches I’ve been in didn’t seem to have too much of those negatives. At least, that’s not what characterized the congregation.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100008723963904447348045780627137245073…

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Wednesday he will defend high-school cheerleaders who want to use Bible verses on banners at football games.

Mr. Abbott filed court papers to intervene in a lawsuit that cheerleaders at Kountze High School filed against the school district complaining that a new policy violated their freedom of speech. In September, district officials told the cheerleaders to stop using Bible verses at football games after the Freedom From Religion Foundation complained.

…

Mr. Abbott said that since the cheerleaders create the banners without school funding, they qualify as free speech and shouldn’t be banned.

“This is student-led expression, and that’s perfectly constitutional,” Mr. Abbott said. “We will not allow atheist groups from outside the state of Texas to come into the state to use menacing and misleading and intimidating tactics to try to bully schools to bow down to the alter of secular beliefs.”

Joining Mr. Abbott at a news conference Wednesday, Gov. Rick Perry said he supported the cheerleaders and denounced the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

“Anyone who is expressing their faith should be celebrated, from my perspective, in this day and age of instant gratification, this me-first culture that we see all too often,” Mr. Perry said. “We’re a nation built on the concept of free expression of ideas. We’re also a culture built on the concept that the original law is God’s law, outlined in the Ten Commandments.”