Church intimidates library

[Gaytheist]

A South Carolina library has shut down its summer reading program in response to pressure from a local church. The church used pressure, including threats, to get the program stopped, because it included sessions on yoga, astrology and tie-dying. Church 1, library 0

[Storico]

The individual members from that church, as well as other members of the community who reacted with over-the-top messages like the threatening ones mentioned in your article REALLY over-did it. Coming from a culture that's nothing like that local one in particular, I find it hard to believe there'd be so much protest, even coming from a church or from individual church members. I mean, really. Talk it out peacefully. Write letters expressing your concern. Talk to other parents, and decide to not send your own kids there. Judging from the article, it doesn't seem to have been MANDATORY -- I could almost understand the rejection of it had it been forced, but it doesn't seem to have been in the least. I'm sorry that the kids have to miss out on that particular reading program. And I believe using threats is ALWAYS wrong. Here's hoping that their parents will encourage them to read a lot, anyhow, over the summer break, on any number of issues they'd like to look into themselves as they sign out books to take home.

[Jnthn]

If a member or an official of that local church did issue a bomb threat then they deserve to feel the full force of the law. Until that link is proven it is nothing but innuendo.

J

[Jimmy Higgins]

If a member or an official of that local church did issue a bomb threat then they deserve to feel the full force of the law. Until that link is proven it is nothing but innuendo.

J

Exactly, nothing has been proven yet. Those Buddhists can get really cranky about yoga classes.

[OneFollowingHim]

A South Carolina library has shut down its summer reading program in response to pressure from a local church. The church used pressure, including threats, to get the program stopped, because it included sessions on yoga, astrology and tie-dying. Church 1, library 0

How did they or how did they not follow biblical teaching on the subject of interacting with non-believers?

[Teallaura]

Actually, much of the curriculum was objectionable. Doesn't justify an inappropriate response (was the bomb threat really made? The article isn't clear.) in the slightest but why the library thought that was unobjectionable is questionable.

Design programs that aren't going to raise controversy - they're just preschoolers. And prosecute whoever made threatening phone calls (and/or the bomb threat - it really isn't clear).

[Jnthn]

Exactly, nothing has been proven yet. Those Buddhists can get really cranky about yoga classes.

Fair enough, I mean it's not as if those pacific Buddhists would engage in violence is it? After all they do have kids' welfare at heart...

J

[lao tzu]

Actually, much of the curriculum was objectionable. Doesn't justify an inappropriate response (was the bomb threat really made? The article isn't clear.) in the slightest but why the library thought that was unobjectionable is questionable.

Design programs that aren't going to raise controversy - they're just preschoolers. And prosecute whoever made threatening phone calls (and/or the bomb threat - it really isn't clear).

Are we reading the same article, Teal?

The Pickens County Library System’s half-hour summer programs for middle and high school students were supposed to take a light-hearted look at the topics "Secrets and Spies: How to Keep a Secret by Writing in Code or Making Invisible Ink" and "What’s Your Sign?" Another program was to examine astrology, palmistry, and numerology; and others were to feature tarot cards, tie-dying t-shirts, how to make a Zen garden, and yoga.

I'm missing what's supposed to be controversial here. The programs weren't for pre-schoolers, either.

As ever, Jesse

[Teallaura]

Are we reading the same article, Teal?

The Pickens County Library System’s half-hour summer programs for middle and high school students were supposed to take a light-hearted look at the topics "Secrets and Spies: How to Keep a Secret by Writing in Code or Making Invisible Ink" and "What’s Your Sign?" Another program was to examine astrology, palmistry, and numerology; and others were to feature tarot cards, tie-dying t-shirts, how to make a Zen garden, and yoga.

I'm missing what's supposed to be controversial here. The programs weren't for pre-schoolers, either.

As ever, Jesse

*emphasis mine


Now you know full well all of that is associated to varying degrees with the occult and is objectionable to Christians (heck, I'd have found most of that objectionable as an atheist - some things are best left be, especially highly ritualized things like the occult can be). A county library should be a lot more circumspect - especially in the hyper-sensitive, lawsuit happy, "separation of church and state" modern politcal climate.

My bad on the preschoolers - this was what I'd recalled:

SLJ

Keenan adds that she made her decision because she also runs children’s programs and "I’m not going to have preschoolers walk between a gauntlet of pickets."

© source where applicable

[Rahab]

Actually, much of the curriculum was objectionable. Doesn't justify an inappropriate response (was the bomb threat really made? The article isn't clear.) in the slightest but why the library thought that was unobjectionable is questionable.

Design programs that aren't going to raise controversy - they're just preschoolers. And prosecute whoever made threatening phone calls (and/or the bomb threat - it really isn't clear).

The program, according to the article, was designed for high school and middle school students, not pre schoolers. The mention of pre schoolers came about as the Library also offers summer activities for pre schoolers and the concern was that they would be exposed to picketing as they came for their own program.

The article also mentions that the Library administration was willing to discuss that program with the protesting parties. However, the suspected church resorted to inflammatory e-mails instead of a request to communicate in a civil and reasonable manner.

Let's take a closer look at which arguments could have been recieved as reasonable :

Zen garden and yoga : the claim was that such program promote other religions. Both themes reflect cultural practices inspired by Eastern religions. One may argue that a public institution funded by tax payers contributions should be careful as to not endorsing any specific religion. However, one has also to examine if a voluntary audience learning how to make a Zen garden and practice yoga is in fact interpreting those as meaning "the state is endorsing Eastern religions as its official religion". My opinion is that such claim holds no water.

Tie dying : the claim was that it promotes the "hippy culture" and the "use of drugs". Though tie dying was a trademark in the 60's, I am not sure how such class would in fact turn those young adults into adepts of the "hippy culture" and drug users. The later is quite defaming as implying that the intent of the program is to promote a specific criminal activity.

Astrology/Tarot : I have to assume that the "witchcraft" claim concerned the class on "Your sign". and "Tarot".Such opposition to astrology and Tarot is of pure religious origine.A reasonable argument IMO would have been to question the social productivity of astrology/fortune telling themselves. Considering the profit centered market which exploits the gullibility of people thru many media sources. Not just their naivety but also their vulnerability.

In any case, public Libraries are a tool of media where attendance remains voluntary.They cannot be restricted to offer material conformed to a religious preference and censored from a religious point of view. They are a resource tool which covers multi cultural topics to be provided to the public.

[Rahab]

Are we reading the same article, Teal?

The Pickens County Library System’s half-hour summer programs for middle and high school students were supposed to take a light-hearted look at the topics "Secrets and Spies: How to Keep a Secret by Writing in Code or Making Invisible Ink" and "What’s Your Sign?" Another program was to examine astrology, palmistry, and numerology; and others were to feature tarot cards, tie-dying t-shirts, how to make a Zen garden, and yoga.

I'm missing what's supposed to be controversial here. The programs weren't for pre-schoolers, either.

As ever, Jesse

Bonjour Jesse, My previous post crossed yours and Teal's response. IMO, the controversial label needs not to be coming from a judeo christian point of view when it comes to astrology, palmistry, numerology, Tarot reading. I can see much controversy as to introducing young minds into the interest of pseudo beneficial practices resulting in the financial exploitation of folks in need of a "magic moment". I view such practices as an ensemble of psychological and emotional manipulations targeting vulnerable folks' check books.

Whereas I have no issues with tie dying or a Zen garden or yoga. Equaly I would have no issues with "how to use henna for your hair" and certainly would not claim it to be promoting "other religions" or the islamic culture. Nor would I even contemplate concocting the thought that "how to weave bracelets with hemp" promotes the "use of drugs".

[NeilUnreal]

My thoughts are similar to those of Rahab.

I would object to the astrology, Tarot, etc., as being pseudo science. An exception might be if it also contained a healthy skeptical component or was primarily aimed at looking at these things in an historical context.

The Zen and Yoga I possibly wouldn't object to. Although these things are associated with some Eastern religions, they also contain philosophical and purely pragmatic components independent of religion. While "become a Buddhist by making a Zen garden" is definitely an inappropriate topic for state sponsorship, something like "Zen gardening as an Eastern approach to beauty and harmony" might not be. So for me, these might not be easily decideable outside of looking at the specifics of the curricula or talking to the instructor.

The tie-dye and weaving things are just silly. These are fun creative crafts that the students can also replicate later at home. My junior high school had a tie-dye t-shirt project where we were all sent home with instructions. My mom helped me do the tie-dye and I can still remember the fun we had. Kids are probably more likely to stay off of drugs by doing something creative like tie-dye than they are playing video games or watching TV eight hours a day. Sadly, it's weird peripheral stuff like this that can keep people from taking Christians seriously when we do have important things to say about matters like the level of violence in video games, the degradation of women in music, etc.

-Neil

[Ryokan]

Lets see, in my Catholic grades school we had a tarot card and palm reader come in for a festival, did yoga once, and learned abotu the signs and what they meant, and their history. And we had books about zen gardens in the library. This is ignoring high school. So I don't see the objectionableness here if it was already at a RELIGIOUS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL. THis people are whackos.

[jgarden]

A South Carolina library has shut down its summer reading program in response to pressure from a local church. The church used pressure, including threats, to get the program stopped, because it included sessions on yoga, astrology and tie-dying. Church 1, library 0

1. Its these kinds of episodes that seem to find their way into the media - not the success stories.

2. Based on the facts presented, this church has overstepped its boundaries and makes Christianity looks foolish and out of touch with reality,

3. I'm disappointed the library succumbed to the church's intimidation tactics - this is a dangerous precedence and infringes on the 1st Amendment

4. Bring in the ACLU and go on the offensive.

[Jimmy Higgins]

Fair enough, I mean it's not as if those pacific Buddhists would engage in violence is it? After all they do have kids' welfare at heart...

J

Great reply. Because we all know Buddhists get violent over yoga lessons.

The Zen and Yoga I possibly wouldn't object to. Although these things are associated with some Eastern religions, they also contain philosophical and purely pragmatic components independent of religion.

I'm quite shocked that you'd say that. I'm assuming that you have no real idea what yoga is.

Yoga is perhaps one of the best exercise programs for people of any age. It promotes good muscle tone, great flexibiilty, helps prevent injuries all the while also giving great calm. Yoga isn't some sort of new agey thing that only hippies do with incense burning in the air while listening to Yoko Ono. It is an extremely old (thousands of years), extremely versatile, perfectly established exercise regime (when instructed properly) that is great for the young and old, athletic and unathletic. Anyone who would be against yoga because of some religious bent would be doing so for some extremely ignorant, if not intolerant, reasons.

While I can understand why some people may have issue with astronomy, granted it's stupid, but why not let kids have fun? Anyone who is afraid of their children being swayed into the dark arts because of some one or two "classes" on astronomy, obviously has absolutely no faith in how they are raising their children in whatever religion they are teaching them.

Any reservation with yoga, however, is unbelievably thick, at best.