Leave it to a non-believer to make a great event like this, made to look like something worthless. Big deal that these kids get together someplace that happens to be coordinated by churches. I am sure we believers think you brainwash your own "victims." Just keep your opinion to yourself. Go ahead and don't believe, I don't care. It doesn't mean that the world can't try to do something good based on what they believe. I see non-believers as boring, lifeless people anyhow. I would rather believe in God and live a life feeling like there is something bigger and better than me, and take the chance that God is real (which I DO believe.) Than to live a life NOT BELIEVING and then die and then it is too late!

billnewbie, prounion and everyone else has the right to point out that bad thinking is bad thinking, that's what religion is: bad thinking: it makes no sense!

You, however, believe in exposing children to bad thinking in the form of Sunday school, religious school, church, and bible camp.

I'm not seeing any support for atheist camp in the form of your bible camp etc. Real life is atheist camp. The challenge of real life encourages and demands clear thinking.

Children, especially teens, are highly sensitive detectors of parental hypocrisy. If you are sincerely confident in the correctness of your own position then it shouldn't be necessary to either conceal yours or mischaracterize the positions of others. Be honest and fair.

In my own experience, children do not exhibit any innate curiosity about theism unless the topic is seeded by another person. They seem to personalize it for the first time when dealing with the issue of death.

I agree with most of your last post Bill - however I would teach my kids how to think, and not teach them religion one way or another - thats all I would need to do, your religion is not reality based. If a person claims an all knowing, all caring, all powerful god is in the bible, the bible proves that cannot be true. Not to mention the other virtually identical gods that came before, the other equally empirically sound religions around the world, ect. Again I will not need to teach them against any specific religion, I just need to start them off without any of them, when they are older they can make up their own mind.
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If all prents waited until thier children were even 8 years old before mentioning god, Jesus would be akin to Thor in a generation.

When you lead someone to come to specific conclusions, that's indoctrination, Prounion. Calling religion all those invectives proves your intent, to lead your children not to learn to think but to learn what to think. You will do them a disservice by transferring your hatred of God and religion to them. After all, let's not pretend that if they show any interest in religion, that you won't show the same contempt for it to them that you show here. A parent is in a unique position with their children, a position of authority and power. When you ridicule in their presence what they may one day show an interest in, even if they haven't yet shown such an interest, you prevent them from thinking and choosing for themselves.

partarican1, Get over yourself. I am not some tyranical freak trying to undermine your lack of religion. You posted a negative response to what WAS an article related to a perfectly legal Christian event; something you don't really care for. Your right and privilege, but they don't really care what you think because the article writer didn't ask for a vote on whether or not to allow this activity.
If your point is "there are other activities that are safe for kids in Janesville that don't involve religion", that's wonderful. Bring them to the attention of the community without taking away from information that is helpful to others.

So let it rest. I'm sure getting tired of all the off topic nonsense.

Ahhh, that was easy. (With a nod to Staples) It was almost as if I took the words right out of someone's mouth. (so please excuse spelling/grammar errors. Besides, these aren’t college theses-despite the length of my own posts.)

The story itself: I love seeing when someone, anyone, works hard to make these activities available to our youth, the elderly, families....they don't need to make time available for worship (unless the setting is appropriate and desired by the entire group). If they are freely attended, though (not mandatory in other words) and that is part of the program...then those who wish to participate should not be judged for doing so. In other words, in that case...what's it to ya?

prounion, thanks for the invitation, but I don't need to debate with you. I've lived my life understanding that everything I believe needs to be studied with a fine-toothed comb from a neutral viewpoint-not as just a believer, or not as (from) a non-believer, but with an open mind. Like when I bought my house, I don't trust just my realtor or banker to guide me; they have ulterior motives, nor competing realtors trying to sell me different houses than the one I want. I’m no expert; I don't rely entirely on my own relatively limited knowledge either. (This is an analogy; please substitute "selecting a belief system”, “Pastor”, and “professed atheist” appropriately. Would your invitation be “That house is worthless, let this complete stranger tell you why.”?). I would much rather rely on neutral information for understanding of what I'm "getting myself into". A lawyer/inspector might qualify when I buy a house; courses of study of world religions from a neutral perspective might qualify when discussing MY religious beliefs. That's basically what I did. I have not been indoctrinated since birth, but my life has run the gamut (experience-wise); I have come to be where I am on my own. I DON’T live in fear as some suggest believers do. Now, if we’d ever meet in a Biblical studies class, (church led and/or in a public/private educational facility) and you were as open minded as I've tried to be, I’d welcome friendly exchanges with you on a non-judgmental level. I don't know how others feel; read into it what you like, but this isn't a good forum for such deep personal convictions. I don’t have the time/inclination to watch for and read all posts just so missing a question won't be seen as acquiescence.

RU - some would say I am undermining your religion, I probably am. Either way I would enjoy a healthy debate with your over the existance of your god.

RUSerious,
Get over yourself. I am not some tyranical freak trying to undermine your religion. I posted a response to what I felt was an article slanted towards christianity; something I don't really care for. You can believe in your personal superstition all you want because it does not affect me, and I don't really care what you think.
And my point is still "there are other activities that are safe for kids in Janesville that don't involve religion". So let it rest. I'm sure getting tired of all the off topic nonsense.

I won't need to go as far as you take it Bill. All I need to do is not teach them religion. I do not need to tell them religion is bad, or describe the evil done in the name of god, or explain that if there were a loving god 30,000 children under the age of 5 would not be dying everyday.
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I will teach them science and how to evaluate evidence.
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That way when someone tries to sell them a line of crap they will know it - wether that be religion or the Nigerian royalty scheme.
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It being superstiion and myth, and the blind followers being gullible and intellectually stunted should be something you could correct me on quite easily. You god gave you the bible sometimes refered to as a sword is it not? You are supposed to be able to use that to make your case that god is real, in reality it proves that the all loving, all knowing, all powerful god cannot be real.

And so it's true, Prounion. You intend to indoctrinate your kids with the notion that all religion is superstition and myth and that only people who think so use reason to investigate life's mysteries. I wonder if you realize how bigoted that looks?

As for your statement that we won't refute your claims about what we believe, we recognize false assertions and the pointlessness of refuting them. After all, characterizing what we believe as superstition and myth does betray your real motives doesn't it, Prounion? Maybe we won't discuss it with you because we recognize your insincerity. Or do you really believe your own propaganda that we are all dumb and gullible?

All I have to say is way to go Emmanuel and I hope this is still around when my children get old enough to attend. God Bless everyone!

Excectly RUserious - this forum gives an excellent oportunity for athiests to share theri views and shep light into the dark ignorant superstitious corners of the world without fear.
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Bill - my kids will be taught to value reality, not myth and superstition, they will rise above that and have a full understanding of the world. When they do not understand what or why something is they will investigate and find out, not shrug their shoulders and say god did it.
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I still notice that the christians here are upset at the athiests - they don't seem to be refuting our claims though - especially those based on the bible.

Well said RUSerious!

partarican1, “Proved your point”? That was an attack? I beg to differ. I'd call it a defense from attack. Which part was attack as opposed to defense? You said Christians, unlike your children, come in and attack others who are self-proclaimed atheists. These articles are apparently written informationally for Christians or others who might partake, wouldn’t you say? Or do you really think they’re fodder for attacks? (Well, that could seem apparent to some.) Each time there is a gazettextra article pertaining to religious activities in the area, there is a core group of fanatics who come in and begin to rip apart the people and activities mentioned, as well as those who comment positively on the story. Check them out-there is never a good opportunity for those interested (in a good way) in the article to have a good exchange of ideas without being called ignorant, blind, or worse. It surely takes away any desire to exchange thoughts when you know what's coming. I have lived/worked/played my entire life side by side with all sorts of people; people with and without religious convictions, and have been exposed to many different lifestyles, and I have never, ever personally seen anything like the religious intolerance I've seen since the Gazette provided these open forums. Naive? More like I've been fortunate enough to have been exposed to tolerant people I guess? But, as I’ve said, I've been far from isolated and insulated from most every kind of people. I would have never dreamed that there are people around who think the little old church ladies getting together to make quilts for Christmas baskets, or the ladies providing food in a church hall for the families who've lost a loved one, or the kids/adults working through their church on a Habitat house were considered to be aiding and abetting an evil entity.

I wonder, when Prounion has kids, will he refrain from teaching them what he believes to be the truth? I think we all know the answer to that! Conversely, will he shield his children from what he so obviously hates? Again, does anyone not know that answer? Yet these radical atheists demand that children be indoctrinated to their philosophies, confident that children will readily accept it since ridicule of their parent's religion is part of the process, while insisting that the religion of their parents be kept from them. God help us and especially our children should these fanatics ever get any real political power.

RUSerious-You prove my point in that you attack me directly because I don't believe in any religion, especially yours. Poverty, boredom, and misery have nothing to do with what I said. The Pipe is no place for kids to hang out; it is not safe, even for adults. I don't care about your opinion here, I was only expressing mine. I will listen to you and others who disagree with me, but I do not agree with you, and no amount of blah, blah, blah will change my mind.. And I don't have to agree with any of you. That's the beauty of a public forum and a free thinking mind....

prounion..Sorry you don't understand but time will till.I wish you well.

Beliver - your point is that we might as well believe this stuff because if we are wrong we will go to hell? What if the muslims are right and you are wrong - looks like we would be there together.
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I disagree that believing in this stuff means you don't lose anything. At best you lose the time time and money you spent chasing illusions.
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As far as kids making their own decisions - thats great - don't expose them to any god then when they hit say 16 they are explained the pros and cons of all the religions, and the possibility that there is no god and let them make their own decision. Of course that would mean the death of every god on the planet.

5th quarter is great..it gives our youth an opportunity to spend time with their friends in a safe place. Let it be what it's intended to be. In the end, if there is no Heaven or Hell the believer has lost nothing....if there is a Heaven or Hell the unbeliever has lost everything. Let's everyone make our own decision and live with the end results. In the mean time let our kids make their own decision, they'll have to live it not us.

I guess we just have a different approaches to parenting, Prounion. Adjusting for age-appropriateness, I don't shelter my kids from knowledge. I encourage it. If I didn't, they would (correctly) infer that Dad's beliefs were flimsy and could not survive the light of day. I teach them how to be truth-seekers and how to recognize truth-avoiders. The rest takes care of itself.

Persuasion is a one-way street only for tweens and teens who are sheltered dimwits. It's interesting how none of the believers commenting here seem freaked out at the possibility of their own kids being corrupted by gangs of young atheist infiltrators. Pretty silly.

Really is no need to correct. You seem to be very in tune to what the scriptures say. You are judging them and you know the difference so like I said the seed has been planted and you are the only one that can grow it. GOD BLESS!!

Feel free to correct me - especially if you feel I have misquoted the bible, people make that claim but when it comes time to for them to post from the bible and make a rational arguement about god they tend to shy away. Or there is always the claim that my attitude is the problem.
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Maybe god has intentionally hardened my heart like he did before he had his angel kill all the firstborn of Egypt, in which case should I really be blamed for him hardening my heart?

Funny thing...I wanted to just unleash the rath of God on this blog...but it seemed rather usless when I thought about everything I read here. It is obvious people like prounion already know what the Bible says so there really is no need. The seed has been planted and it is up to him wether it grows or not. GOD BLESS!!

Ok Max again sorry to offend, I thought the good word was to be discussed everywhere, but I will respect your opinion that this is not the place.

FOH - christianity is not based in reality, it playes on the believer convincing themselves that entities and forces exist - without empirical evidence. To do this to someone you have to do a few things at a young age:
- Get them around older or fellow delusionists, if a group of people, the bigger the group the better, if others are experiencing the same illusion that helps one convince themselves not to look at reality.
- Get them to believe that church is good - getting them in the door is the first thing, have their parents praise them for going to this "rec center" cause the alternative is drug use, well that helps reinforce the system as well. Being at church is the most approved, responsible use of their time, its being "good."
- Start em off slow, get the videos playing in the background, maybe have a few prayers here and there, mix it in with alot of fun.
- Maybe ask them if they want to come back to the church later that week for abnother gathering, maybe one of the other youth groups that one of the pastors conducts during the week, you know that happens.

And the more I look at it Gazettefan, You Troll… You actually made an openly slanderous statement in which you have not one single statement by me to back up. .. You better take heed if you believe the anonymity of hiding behind your keyboard in anyway makes this acceptable…

It's a troll tactic BikerJoe, don't feed him.

Pro, I answered you at 3:34pm yesterday. This isn't the place.

Gazettefan wrote...Well, BikerJoe has more nerve than billnewbie by showing that an important dynamic of christianity is its hatred for Jews.

Show me exactly where I said I had a hatred for Jews??... Were do you get off making any claims as to my feelings?

Pro, as an atheist, I don't see how Fifth Quarter reinforces harmful superstition. Straighten me out.

Max aren't you supposed to take the high ground? Also aren't you supposed to spread the word - isn't this an excellent opportunity to quote the bible and correct what you call my miss-quoting of the bible?
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Why is it so hard to get christians to talk about the god depicted in the bible? Oh wait - I answered that in my 8:18AM post today.

... except to say, "Please don't feed the trolls."

Gazettefan finally showed up to make my point. Game, set, match, my work is done here.

We have the bible - it is the word of god is it not? It shows something about the nature of god. Should we not read the thing before children are exposed to it?
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Which is better Jesus's believe and worship me or else suffer eternal torment, or the barbaric god of the old testament? Either way you would not want your kids behaving like either of these gods.
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Yet activities like the one depicted in the article reinforce this harmful superstition. The unsuspecting see others that have fallen victim to religion and think it must be normal and good, it is not, just read the bible and one can see that. That's why you don't see biblical retorts to our postings, just insults.

billnewbie, you offer a lot of blather about how children should be taught about god, but you, yourself, are ill-equipped to talk about the bible!

partarican1, you stated "They (your children) do not judge people for their beliefs, as many christians do, and these posts support this fact." You're being sarcastic, right? This (and every other article about anything remotely connected with a church, God, religion, on the same street as a church, church bells....) is always immediately invaded by atheists and their insulting putdowns of anyone remotely connected with a church, God, religion, living on the same street as a church, church bells....and insult their intelligence, their families, their intentions, and their lifestyle. If those people who should have a genuine interest in the contents of the story because it IS their lifestyle makes comments in their own defense (as if they should really have to) YOU and your co-rabble rousers have the nerve to say the Christians are judging these detractors? Please explain to me what I must have misunderstood.

You also said "Can't anyone sponsor an event without involving christianity? Kids can have fun and stay out of trouble without church sponsored activites." You bet they can-it just happens that those dastardly churches keep trying to sway them away from....well....you tell me. Poverty? Boredom? Misery? Who complains if someone offers a decent, secular activity for teens? Can't there be alternatives for either? Do Christians get on the story of the activities the secular community has provided and bash those secular activities? Should those churches offering the space and time rent other accommodations so that it doesn't take place in those buildings that some of you love to hate? Why? It's being offered freely! (Ok-2 bucks for pizza and whatever...) Does the Pipe give out free food, or let you in if you don't have the $7?

In other words, this article apparently wasn't expected to appeal to some of you-but you commented anyway. You all usurped another one! Enlighten me, what's wrong with this story in and of itself?

Why shouldn't there be a christian component to these activities? What's wrong with sponsoring an event involving christianity? Kids can have fun and stay out of trouble with church sponsored activites. FREEDOM FROM FREEDOM FROM RELIGION!!!!!!

My sentiments exactly, flying_monkeys.

Is it wrong to teach your children about God? Those who make that claim do so with so much obvious hatred one needs hardly answer such shrill fanaticism. But still that demands an answer. The answer is that our children must be taught about all things, God included, for their own good. For decades now our society has done its best to exclude God from public schools. They have accomplished their mission. But do we like the results? Are our children more respectful of their teachers and their classmates? Do they have an increased sense of community, do they willingly take responsibility for their fellows or are they more self-centered? Do they respect members of the opposite sex or do they view them as objects to be used at will? I think we all know the answers to these questions. Our society is threatened not from without as much as it is from our own self- centeredness and self-indulgence. Sending children to a program such as this will not solve all our problems, but it does offer alternatives for our children to consider. The sense, for instance that there is a greater calling in life that fulfilling one's own desires. A belief in God also fosters a belief that our fellow humans are just as important as ourselves. A life wasted in the pursuit of self-fulfillment can't compare to how wonderful a life of faith in God can provide.

This is a GOOD thing, nothing else. For those afraid of a brainwashing; Do you have TEENAGERS at home? If so, you will most likely agree, you cannot "make" them do anything they don't "want" to do. I'm not talking about following rules, doing chores, etc...... I'm talking about "going along with the crowd". If you have raised your kids to have a mind of their own, and make their own REASONABLE decisions, brainwashing will not occur due to spending a couple hours "playing" at church. If they decide to check it out further, they should be welcome to. Are YOUR morals, values, and faith all exactly the same as your parents raised you? Probably not, although some will be close. I'd much rather my teen was checking out different faiths, than checking out different drug dealers, bars, and underage booze parties on a friday night. JMO.

partarican1 - I like the cut of your jib

If playing video games and other activities is "indoctrination" the by goodness, 98% of kids across this country are being indocrinated. How many actually read the article
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"Although the event takes place in a church sanctuary, evangelism isn't on the agenda"

Well Max - sorry to offend. Seemed like it was a story about kids in a christian setting. My comments reflect my views that exposing kids to someone's imaginary friend is not a good thing, they tend to lose sight of reality and develop an inability to fully utilize thier capacity to reason and understand the world, due to the muddling that blind faith brings.

Holy Crap. Everyone please chill out. This is not a theological discussion here. Stick to the TOPIC. Which is about an alternative for teens to do something safe on a friday night in a controlled environment. No where does it say that parents aren't welcome. So if you are worried about having your children "brain-washed," then go with them and at the first site, say "see-ya" and leave.

On another note, remember it is not just Christians who believe in the Bible, but Jews and Muslims do too, so are the 3 major world religions all wrong? Could be, but that takes a lot more faith to believe that, than believing in a God.

Wasn't the Old Testament preempted by a lot of love your neighbor and "What so ever you do to the least of my brothers you do unto me" in the New Testament? Didn't Christianity start well after Moses? As I stated before, I fall into the agnostic category but I have had plenty of schooling. No one ever asked me for 10% of my income. The killing and maiming in your Old Testament stories are getting old and are irrelevant to the teaching of any modern Christian faith. Looks like Guitar Hero and dodge ball to me. If you want to attack a violent indoctrination religion I suggest you find some radicalized Muslims to bicker with.

You see sir! This is what you don't get!!! This is not a forum for theological debate in fact it's poorly moderated and it's a lousy setting for debate.

This is an article about an opportunity (not forced anything) for kids to take advantage of a positive program sponsored by a church. Send your kids or don't send your kids.

Pro, if you want to debate documentary criticism then go to a Bible site or www.infidels.org and meet with like minds but stop shoving YOUR beliefs down our throats.

I have quoted the bible on this thread please use the bible to explain how I took it out of context?
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Hre is the context - acting on God's orders Moses slaughtered thousands, keeping only the young virgins for the conquering army - oiver 30,000 of them. Those, Moses ordered, they could keep for themselves.

We've done that, haven't we Pro? We did the logic, the reason, the civility, the politeness, you weren't interested in that. You just want to get everybody's juices flowing. You bring nothing, you add nothing, you take nothing. You have to shove your beliefs down everyone's throats. You judge all who would express faith, never content to live and let live.
You don't quote the Bible, you slice it, rip things from context, ignore the explanations and start all over again. You inflame and disrupt. There, I said all that without calling you a name.

Max if I was simply a troll I would ust post:
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There is no god.
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I think the fact that I post bible quotes and invite debate on the subject means I am not just a troll, up to you what label you feel you need to apply to discount my views. Allthough would not using biblical quotes instead of insults strengthen your arguement? Or better yet some logic and reason?

Actually Biker as far as killing people for thier beliefs go history would say christianity clearly leads the charge.
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So for the record - no I do not recommend heroine use for children and also do not endorse the wholesale slaughter of christians.

The church has a basketball court??? You kidding me??

>If you had read the article you would know. The church has a sanctuary the size of a basketball court.

I am not a christian basher. I am someone who does not believe in any kind of religion-christian or not. My children are old enough to make their own decisions about where to go and who to hang out with. I have raised them to be responsible adults without religion. They are not juvenile delinquents or partiers; they are honor students with bright futures. They do not judge people for their beliefs, as many christians do, and these posts support this fact.
While it is nice that there is something for kids to do other than drink and cruise the strip, I am concerned that it is another way for adult christians to brainwash children into thinking christianity is the only way to be safe and have fun.

BikerJoe, please don't judge Janesville by these pathetic anti-Chirstian trolls. If you aren't familiar with the likes of an internet troll, here is a definition:

"a troll is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion."

BikerJoe, your response is what they were fishing for, now they are curling their toes and giggling girlishly.

This is why in many forums you will see a caution, "Please don't feed the trolls." Take heart Joe, they are a sad and sorry minority, if you could see them, you're heart would break, this is their brush with relevancy.

Prounion can't wait for the next faith related article. He is usually the first to blather and bombast. He came in second to Napalm in this thread. He'll do better next time.

I have the solution for you Christian Bashers on this subject.. DON'T SEND YOUR CHILDREN THERE.. See how easy that is?? Where I send Mine, is None Of Your Business. Were my neighbor sends his, is none of your business AND None of Mine. You bash our beliefs, you harass our children, you spew your hatred on us at every opportunity. I am a little more modern in my Faith.. I no longer have a cheek to turn.. I have no compassion left for people who can hate so easily. I believe with no doubts that should this country ever have a break down in infrastructure, you’re the people who would be going from home to home and dragging anyone out of there home who followed the Christian Faith along with there children and would summarily execute them in the street. Many of us know who the true terrorists are and there not in any far away country. And many of us as well are of the same mind as I am.. You extend your hand in need, I will provide to the best of my ability, you raise it in anger to myself or my family, I will without hesitation cut it off..

People in this city are unbelievable! These people are giving up their Friday nights for your kids to have somewhere besides Dunkin Donuts to hang out at. If only more kids took advantage of this then the rest of the city could use Milton Ave on Friday nights.

Thank you for your emptying your brain stems boys, now if someone would cue the Looney Tune theme song, this thread will be complete.

yep this is such a bad thing - how dare they put on somethign like this that is a fun SAFE way for kids to have fun...My goodness the nerve of the people who want kids ot have fun, stay out of trouble, and be safe......oh wait...

A lsice of "free" pizza is a small price to pay if they can get thier hooks into one of these kids. God says believers should tithe %10 of thier income, get them eary and not only will they be unable to discern reality from fable, they will give you ten percent of everything they make over thier lifetime.

Why does there have to be a christian component to these activities? Can't anyone sponsor an event without involving christianity? Kids can have fun and stay out of trouble without church sponsored activites. FREEDOM FROM RELIGION!!!!!!

The picture at the bottom left says shes eating a slice of "free" pizza. Is it really? Because i read they wanted $2. They twist stuff around and glamorize it to make it out to be a good thing. When in reality they are just louring kids in to be brainwashed....or if your catholic...worse.

Just the title to the article is bad. "A christian setting" - Shows you right there they are trying to push stuff on people. Why not make it a "social" setting? Oh ya....because then it wouldnt be considered a religious place anymore and they'd have to pay taxes. Religion is just a scam. A virus of the mind and a menace to society and the world. Simply put. You dont see atheists blowing themeselves up or dieing for ficticious characters do you?

The children can learn if they don't believe in Jesus - allthough there is no proof other than you guys saying so - they will burn forver.
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Or maybe they prefer the old testment god with slavery, rape, genocide, ect, but at least he will leave you be once you die.

Callsit wrote: Prounion would rather have them shooting heroin in the park.
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I would rather they not be indocternated with an ignorant based mythology that stunts thier intellectual capacity and potential.
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Did you know that athiests have a lower divorce rate than christians, how do you think drug usage rates compare between the two groups - or teen pregnancy?
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For the record there are more than just the herion/church options and each has their own dangers.

No, they are just taking advantage of the system. Using a "church" for something other than its intended use. If they do so they should indeed pay taxes on it just like everyone else has to. I would like a party house to hang out and have fun and completely free of taxes. The church has a basketball court??? You kidding me?? If thats so I should be able to have a huge auto shop and work on all my cars and claim it as a place of worship and not have to pay any taxes on it. ~ What ammendment is that?? Freedom of religion right?

I cannot believe that there are people arguing about this. It's always nice to see something like this in the news than, let's say, kids beating each other to death.

It seems like a good place for kids to get together and have a good time. I don't see how a topic like this can turn into an over opinionated argument about religion. Everyone has their personal beliefs and as long as people aren't shoving them down my throat I don't see a problem with it.

Prounion, Napalm, it's annoying enough that your parents give you guys unsupervised access to the computer (take a lesson parents) but sleeping in class while your teacher taught on the 1st and 14th amendments is unforgivable. I hope you both get the time out chair.

FOTH is right. I am a hord-core atheist, but raised a bible-beating born again. My church had something similar called 19 below. It was a great place to hang out and there was no worshipping involved. It is too bad there isn't a community funded place like this but in the absence of one, this is a good service for the community.

If kids gathered in a government owned building, would that make it a socialist event?

I read nothing in the article to suggest this is anything but a "good thing" for kids. --FOTH, atheist

Im not a christian basher. I dont believe in any religion...Waste of time. "There is not enough love and kindness in the world to give any of it away to imaginary beings."
"Faith: not wanting to know what is true."

If Jake brought half the energy that he does to the soccer field, it is no wonder they "cleaned house".

Prounion...or should I say nounion take your religion bashing self somewhere else. This is a wonderul opportunity for kids to have fun in a town that don't have alot to offer. If you have ever attended something like this you would realize it is alot of fun. To bad there isn't more opportunities like this for kids...Church or no Church!

Every time something "christian" appears in the paper someone brings up the slaying of all women and children in the Bible.... I just heard someone preach on that recently and he said historians say that it was because of the diseases that were so bad especially in groups pf people who did terrible sexual sins and the only way to stop them from spreading was to wipe out the group of people including the animals because they were even diseased. Anyway it was an interesting explanation. I would rather send my kids to this type of an event than at someone's home where the parent is hosting a drinking party for their kid and their friends.

Prounion would rather have them shooting heroin in the park. Get a life and get back to the "Church in a bar" story where you belong.

Same God yes.. But the justification of his actions impossible to debate between the believer and Non, as the Non seeing death as the finale and the Believer seeing it as only the beginning of eternity. Someday everybody will know one way or another won’t they? Regardless of any pointless discussion board bashing..

Ahh yes Biker Joe - good point - but working under orders from the same "lord" yes?

i agree with mosleybanker. All i hear from teens is "there is nothing to do in this town", so that is why they go to the "strip". This is supervised and fun, no alcohol, drugs, or trouble. Wish something like this was available when i was a teen. I hope many take advantage of this.

I do read the Bible Prounion.. Moses and his generals were Ummmm Jews..

This is a great opportunity for kids in this area to have something safe and different to do on a Friday night! Thanks everyone for getting this put together and I hope that kids take advantage of it.

Numbers 31:
13 Moses, Eleazar the priest and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp. 14 Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who returned from the battle.
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Read the bible biker joe.

Moses and his Generals were Christians? Hmmmmm

Napalm - not anymore brainwashing then what is going on with our current administration. I am pretty sure these kids went to this event on their own decision.

Nothing like a good smiting of the Midianites - This is what Moses had to say when his generals brought back prisoners after slaughtering all the men of fighting age, another example of christians taking the moral high ground, Numbers 31:
15 "Have you allowed all the women to live?" he asked them. 16 "They were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the LORD's people. 17 Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, 18 but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.

Sure didn't take long for the Christian Bashers to crawl out from under there rocks..

Is there anything better for our community than brainwashed kids?