Deconstructing the News: Public and Private Schools

Last Night's discussion centered around the News and Observer article for last Sunday. we began asking a lot of questions:

-Are kids really coming home and saying "I'm being persecuted for my Christian beliefs" at school? If so, could this be a case of kids blowing something out of proportion to get their family upset/ involved?
-Who is persecuting these Christian children? Individuals or the institution?
-"my question the [the parents] is what are you doing at HOME to teach your kids about their faith instead of putting them [in private schools] that will do all of the work for you?"

One statement that was made made was from a person working in the public schools in the area who said, "I've never had a Christian child come up to me and talk about being persecuted, but I have had a Muslim child with that complaint!"
-the question was asked, "what does THIS say about Christians in the school system?"

One statement that was made was that, "I find myself trying to defend myself to others in the sense that when I say I'm a Christian I have to say, 'but I'm not THAT kind of Christian."

We then switched gears a little and tried to understand better what lies underneath the decisions being made. One big thing we talked about was fear being a motivating factor!
-fear of disillusionment in their faith/beliefs?
-fear of change?
We asked the question, "are these signs of a shallow faith?" Since we are exploring our faith/beliefs/understandings in this group in order to get deeper into our own beliefs!

We talked about the flaw in our group gathered last night was that we were all looking at it through similar lenses. We discussed trying to understand the decisions made in the article, and decided the importance to continually practice seeing issues and ideas through other lenses as not to be judgmental! We stated that we wished that there was someone there that could dialogue with us from an opposing viewpoint. WE WELCOME THAT ONE HERE ALSO! FEEL FREE TO POST YOUR COMMENTS IN OUR CONTINUING DISCUSSION!

OTHER COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
-How can EVANGELICALS wall themselves in, away from the world?
-Can REAL learning/education occur when you receive ideas with not opposing or differing ideas are present to challenge what's being taught?
-we agreed that the bigger problem is that ALL schools, both private and public, have room for reform in America

FINALLY, we asked ourselves the question, how do we as a community of people, as well as individuals, keep from pulling into our own beliefs and forming a safe bubble where we can take refuge and cut ourselves off from the world.

our goal: Continual ACTIVE dialogue with the world around us!

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION ON THIS BLOG POST! WE ARE WELCOME AND AFFIRMING OF ALL IDEAS ON THIS ISSUE. AS MENTIONED ABOVE, WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ALL VIEWPOINTS IN THIS DISCUSSION!

N&O Aug. 26th

click here for the full story

HERE IS ANOTHER OPTION FOR CONVERSATION ON THIS COMMING WED., AUG 29th!!!!

I'll bring the full article that night (please try to read it before though) if we want to talk about it!!!! It's up to you guys!

AGAIN, PLEASE DON'T COMMENT ON HERE UNTIL AFTER THE 29th UNLESS YOU CAN'T MAKE IT THAT NIGHT!

Can't wait until wed!

-j

Provoking Some Thoughts!

Here are the requested topics for next wed.'s meeting @ Java divine!



Thanks Tripp for letting me use this off of your blog: http://pomopirate.blogspot.com/



1) How does this picture make you feel? More importatly, why does it make you feel that way?

2) Relationships:
-what do we mean when we talk about relationships?
-what do we mean by forming relationships?
-why form them?
-how do you form a relationship with someone?
-what goes into maintaining that relationship?
-and any other questions/responses that may arise!

* Please, if you are in the group or interested in comming, refrain from commenting until AFTER Next Wed.'s meeting. Instead, write your thoughts down to share in discussion with the group. Feel free to comment on here after Wed., Aug 29th.

*If you can't attend, feel free to add you voice beforehand so that those thoughts can be heard at our meeting.

Anyone who is a random visitor, feel free to post a comment, or more importantly discuss this in person Wed. nights in Holly Springs, NC Detials in previous post @ bottom!

Who is Divine Conversations???

Divine Conversations: Where Reality and Spirituality Meet

Who We Are:
Simply put a group of people who like to get together and discuss our lives, our experiences, the world around us, and our spirituality. We are an open community where any and all are welcome no matter where you are on your journey of life. Here, everyone is accepted and respected!

We are a community based on the understanding that:
-We are about dialogue, not debate (meaning that opposing viewpoints are encoraged but should be handled with a respectful attitude)
-Everyone’s opinion is valid and will be treated as such by all included
-Discussion involves equal parts listening and speaking
-There are no “right” or “wrong” views, simply different understandings informed by differing experiences
-No matter what, each person will be treated equally and lovingly by all involved
-No one has everything figured out
-We encourage the questions and respect (and celebrate) whatever “answers” each person comes to on any given question that person may have

Most importantly, we acknowledge that we are all pilgrims on the same journey; just trying to get a divine glimpse into what life is all about!

Wed. Nights 7:30-8:40pm
Java Divine Coffee Bar
128 Bass Lake Rd.Holly Springs NC
Blog (http://www.conversationsdivine.blogspot.com/)
email: (divineconversations@gmail.com)

Find us on Facebook groups (global): Divine Conversations: Where Reality and Spirituality Meet

* note that we are an evolving group, we acknowledge that anything is subject to change.