As I sit and listen to some of the news about the alleged abuse within the LDS compound, my mind begins to wander into the realm of "what if...".

When it comes right down to the bottom line, the government owns our kids.

I absolutely do not condone any mistreatment of children, or adults for that matter, under the umbrella of religious teachings. If what has been accused is true, this is nothing but a front for a bunch of sexual deviants. This isn't the first instance of this kind of thing, but it has gotten a lot of attention because of the number of children involved.

The troubling thought is: It is ultimately the government, and within that broad term, some law official or bureaucrat, that determines what is considered abuse. In some nations already it has been determined that corporal punishment is abuse. There is actually no limit for which someone might define abuse.

In our city this last week, a group placed on one of the local hospital's front lawn a little spinning wheel for each instance of child abuse in our county during this year. There were hundreds! Then I found out that the count was determined very arbitrarily. Each time a call came into one of the local government agencies reporting a possible abuse, it was counted. There was no verification, there was not even a review of the actual complaint. Simply put, the count was "stuffed" to make it impressive, and to justify this group's existence.

We are already seeing the home school movement threatened in California. It is very easy to presume that this view against families will spread, especially when people like this LDS cult get the attention of the news.

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

I had similar feelings as I heard the news, Bro Tim. We have given the government a frightening degree of control in our country. The public schools have turned into centers of indoctrination which attempt to wrestle children from any "religious" frame of reference. I wish I had the funds to send my son to a Christian school next year when he begins. It makes me cringe to see the utter nonsense that's being passed off as schooling now.

I heard an interview a few months back on talk radio with an attorney who mainly represents parents whose children were unjustly removed from their home. The number of false accusations that result in the removal of children was absolutely frightening! What gives me peace through all this is that God is in control now and always.

Nate, I wish that you were in our area. I could solve your school dilemma. We do not charge for attendance.

I would, however, beseech you that you do whatever it takes to keep your children out of government education. Search out the Godly schools in your area and beg them for help. Most have some method for helping parents when it is obvious that the parent is being driven by a true desire for Biblical training and not just a "good" education. If the program does not have such a method, then you would not want to be there anyhow. That is evidence that they are not Spirit-controlled.

If all else fails, teach them at home or move! There is a saying that goes something like this: "Don't say that you can't afford a Christian education, the truth is that you cannot afford not to have a Christian education." This certainly includes home-based education, which is preferred but not always feasible.

The price that you will pay to have your children exposed to and indoctrinated by the "wisdom of this world" far exceeds any cost to do what God has called His children to do.

Wise words, Bro Tim. I will approach the 2 Christian schools I am aware of here in my area as you suggest. Home-schooling is an option I have been thinking about, also.

I also believe that if there was abuse of the children in that compound the children should have been removed. However the whole concept of what took place really frightens me.

Look at what took place. The civil authorities had one unproven accusation from an anonymous person who still cannot be located. Based on this one accusation they used armoured personnel carriers, swat teams, helicopters and basically a small army to carry out what they did.

Now, think of this: Does if not frighten you that any kind of law enforcement can go into a Church based on an unproven allegation and raid the place with such force? What is next? Are we going to start seeing raids on Christian schools and Churches because someone makes an allegation that cannnot be proven or perhaps the authorities do not believe we have the right to teach against homosexuality, abortion and such as that?

Perhaps what happened was right or will be right in the end. That remains to be seen. Yet still the fact they raided a Church like that almost smells like Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia.

In Christ,
George

Bro. Tim,

I don't mean to derail the thread in any way, but I was wondering how ya'll go about funding your school. Is it totally church supported or do you fund it using other means? The reason I ask is that I'm hoping our church will be able to start a school this coming Fall and I don't want to see tuition be a reason for some kids not being able to attend. You can PM me if you'd prefer.

Thanks,
PreacherE

Your concerns are definitely shared by more and more people. Our government is too powerful and we the people have let it get that way.

Joseph Farah has expressed similar concerns about the LDS raid in a column he has written here http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?f...geId=61971

Ray

Since there is a question still of the reality of physical abuse by this cult, the following statement may need to be amended:

One thing is certain: If these children have not already been abused, the government is making sure of it now.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080420/D905JBV00.html

My heart cries out for the spiritual damage that these families already have. Now the state will be exponentially increasing that damage as the families are split apart, and the government prepares to "deprogram" the children.

Bro. Nate,

I will pray for you. Do whatever you have to to get your kids out of there. I have NEVER I mean NEVER seen good come out of that. There may be a few chosen by God himself for evangelism (older children) but you cannot compete with 8 hours of indoctrination and peer pressure. I consider myself a pretty strong Christian but I don't think I could withstand that as an adult. May God give you and your wife wisdom in this decision. We live in a rural community with many good christian teachers but they are bound by the big government. We support home-schooling but by God's Amazing grace he has provided for a great fundamental Baptist Christian school 30 miles away. (It is aobut to kill us with gas) but it is worth it by far. God will make a way, you may have to sacrifice some dinners out, cable tv, new clothes, etc but God has a way for you if you only ask.
Blessings to you,
Laurie

I must say that I support Brother Tim entirely in his assessment and advice in this area. In this day and age I do not think there is any way a Christian person cannot afford to put their children in Christian School. However not all Christian schools are the type I would select. I have seen a number of them in my area where the students look and act no differently than those in public school. In fact some time back at a basketball game at our school I was keeping the clock and scoreboard for a game. I was looking at the young men on the other team and asked what school it was. When I was told it was a Christian school I was flabbergasted. Wow the way they looked and talked was horrible. Even their coaches used foul language. It is wise to carefully select the one you place your children in.

In Christ,
George

AMEN!!!!!!!

The whole concept frightens me too. Images of Ruby Ridge and Waco and as you said, Soviet Russia, came to mind. It is frightening that our government is so quick to use force of that level against a church as if they’re encountering a heavily armed militia. I believe the day will come that preaching against homosexuality and abortion will be labeled “hate speech” by the government.

Homeschoolers in California are already looking at the possibility of facing criminal charges for homeschooling their children if the government gets their way. We should keep them in prayer.

Just want to let you know that I did pray for you today.

I will say this: make sure it is a school like the church you would take your family to. If you have to always make excuses for the "christians" in the school . You might well be better off to send them to public school, at least you can explain that they are of the world and that is why they do what they do. It is a lot harder to explain why "christians" do what they do. I will pray for the homeschool option. There should be a homeschool group in your area and a seasoned homeschool mom that can help your family. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Laurie

That is true Brother. I live in California. The State Legislature is working on a bill to require all home-school people who are actively involved in teaching children to have a teaching credential. That is ludicrous especially when you consider that is not even a requirement for teachers in Christian schools.

The situation in Texas, to quote Winnie the Pooh, keeps getting curiouser and curiouser. Now the state is requiring all of the adult women and all of the children to undergo DNA testing in order to determine parentage of the children. What business is it of the state to know who a person's parents are? Not only that but I seriously question how the State of Texas can order such things to be performed on children without the consent of the parents.

I believe it possible the purpose behind this testing, rather than determine whose mother is who, could be to bring charges against the men in the compound. Wow! Can you imagine that the government can come in and round up people and then do medical testing in order to bring charges against someone without reasonable cause? I always thought there had to be sufficient evidence to cause a warrant to be issued. I suppose in this instance once the testing is done they will have reasonable cause but the method they are going about it is highly questionable to me.

I believe we are probably going to see some big court cases filed against the State of Texas over this whole thing.

In Christ,
George

Sadly, George, untold damage is already being done to the children by the state.