A 13 year old boy and his 14 year old sister, who belong to the Church of God (Restoration) have been taught that it is wrong to watch TV. But they have TV in school. Whenever the TV was used for showing news programs or videos for class, the two would get up and leave the classroom. As a result, they were suspended from the junior high they attend near Toledo, Ohio.

At this time the suspension is on hold while the students' parents and school authorities attempt to work out a solution.

quote:

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The children's mother, Selena Maurer, became a member of the Dayton Church of God when she separated from David Maurer in 1993. Since then, she said, she and the couple's five children have embraced the church's teaching on television, which includes prohibitions against video games and movies. Even before that, she said, she monitored her children's television viewing.

"For me, religion has nothing to do with this," Mr. Calvin said. "There's a court order that says the father is in charge of all their educational decisions and he wants them to be in class, all classes, participating in a regular public education setting." This includes the school's daily Channel One "news" broadcast televised at the start of each school day. The program, which contains advertising aimed at students in grades 6-12, has been criticized for its commercial exploitation of schoolchildren. . . .

Mr. Tinsman said he believes television discourages the development of social skills in people because they are used to listening to one side and giving no response. He said TV also robs time from families. "Most people who have children do not have a hard time understanding our stand on this. Most of them say they have trouble monitoring it anyhow."

Mr. Tinsman's church, which grew out of a split in 1910 with the Church of God-Anderson, Ind., allows radios, but only for such uses as listening to the news or weather bulletins. "Because you can't see it, there is less potential for evil, but we are extremely careful with the radio."

Likewise, he said, church members restrict the use of phones. "We practice carefulness in every area concerning our children. They don't just grow up. They're raised."

Mr. Tinsman said church members also dress modestly. Women wear skirts and both men and women wear long sleeves. "People would probably consider us old-fashioned, though we don't necessarily say that, but we live plain. We all have public jobs and drive cars. We're not Amish or anything, but we live plain, simple lives."

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The school principal believes that the children should just look away rather than walk out of the classroom.
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How I would to see millions more young people, youth, and children who are willing to take such a strong stand for what they believe. These young people have a lot of courage.

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Even so come, Lord Jesus
Linda

[This message has been edited by Linda Sutton (edited October 19, 2000).]

Hmmmm...

Well there is two issues here. I agree they should not be suspended for a religious conviction. That to me is simple common sense.

Still the other side of it is, it is not like they were watching anything offensive on the TV. It was not Jerry Springer or even a suggestive sitcom. It was a simple Educational broadcast. I could see if it had was a educational show that was objectable like an evolution show or something.

There is a larger lesson here I think. That is when we can go along with something, that is not unreasonable we should. Taking our faith stance to the limit on non issues will cause people to remember us in a bad way when something of strong merit dose arise.

That just my take, feel free to disagree.
Vince

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This restless world is just illusion
All at once, there’s a message from above
This senseless world of mass confusion ....

In the name of love
There’s a message from above ... (Sammy Hagar 2000)

[Vince, I removed the quoted material since it was redundant. All of your posting is will intact. Linda Sutton]

[This message has been edited by Linda Sutton (edited November 14, 2000).]

If you start compromising here, where do you draw the line?

These children were raised that television ( of any kind) isn't good for you.
I agree, I have a terrible time with it.
I wish I had never seen one of those idiot boxes.

There is a song that Arrin Tippon wrote and sang, You've got to stand for somethin', or you'll fall for anything.....

Maybe if we all stood for what we believed, and not compromise on little things, maybe we'd be home by now.

There is nothing wrong with TV in itself. It is what you watch that may be wrong.

The same is true of the computer and the internet. It is where you surf that may be wrong.

After saying all that, I respect a person's convictions and willingness to follow those convictions. They should also have the freedom to follow their own convictions as long as those convictions don't break the Law of God, namely the Ten Commandments.

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited November 15, 2000).]

God gives us the freedom to choose not to obey his ten commandments too.

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The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.

That's true, Cathy, and thank you for challenging me on that as I didn't mean to say what I actually said, however, the results of that choice of choosing to break God's Ten Commandments is definitely and clearly disasterous, whereas, a difference between my convictions on something and your convictions on that same subject may not necessarily be disasterous.

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited November 15, 2000).]

Vince

I would have to respectfully disagree with your statements here.

It is pretty hard to say that watching the news casts is harmless. I have a specific example that I could give, but it is so gross that I won't print it here. The news, it seems, is more than news.

But then, we have to think of those "commercials." What do they do to children?

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"We are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets; Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone!" (Eph.2:20).

Your brother in Christ

David T. Battler

I agree with David on some news items I have unfortunately seen on TV that was very graphic in words as well as in pictures which adults shouldn't really hear and see let alone children.

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

Yep! Anytime Monica Lewinsky was mentioned, it was (and still is) a good time to mute, or find another web site as I did tonight.

One of the main reasons our family dispensed with a TV years ago was because of the terrible violence in the News.
I would hate to think what it is like today!

And I wonder what choice we will make when the pressure is on to keep Sunday?
Will we be as obedient to what we know is right as these 2 children are?

Be Still, My Soul.
Zita

I agree.
If we fail to take a stand on these 'little' issues, how will we be able to stand when the life and death issues come.
We will be so used to compromise, odds are, we will cave in.
Pray God we will learn to stand on principal now, so, when the real trouble comes, we will be ready to stand then.

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Chose you this day whom you will serve,
as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15

What is popular is not always right.
What is right is not always popular.

This is an interesting discussion. It calls to mind the religious beliefs of many religions that are not considered in the main stream. What do you do with Native American who sincerely believes that he should use peyote to attain a level of spirituality necessary to participate in his worship? Should he stand by his beliefs too? What about the Amish person who believes that it is a sin to adorn one self or one's property with bight colors, and therefore cannot put a red slow moving vehicle triangle reflector on the horse drawn buggy the family travels in? Is that a belief that should be uncompromised? Should the family that believes that adultery should be punished by death be allowed to put their unmarried, pregnant daughter to death, or if she is a minor, should they be forced to provide for her? It is a violation of their religious beliefs.

It is interesting that the belief of this subject family would apparently prevent them from watching any of the "Net" meetings broadcast the last few years.

It seems that satellite classrooms are being used more and more. I made a presentation at a college class that was held on two campuses, and the active connection was television. If a school district determines that satellite or remote classrooms are the best and most efficient way to present a subject, can a students religious belief stand in the way, and can the student refuse to participate and expect to receive credit for that class?

All in all, the situation presents issues not easily resolved.

I have participated in interactive satellite business TV meetings uplinked from Ottawa to various locations throughout Canada, however, there was never any advertising involved.

I don't see any problem in that type of broadcast as long as there are not any TV ads involved.

I admire the stand they took in standing up to their beliefs.

I pray we will be faithful in the truth that we know and understand especially in these endtimes as the endtime events continue to unfold and continues to unfold into the very days when the life and death test will suddenly come upon us. Will we bow down to the Golden Statue? I pray we will stand as only three of all of the children of Israel stood when their test suddenly came upon them.

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"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

Daryl