Posted on 06/26/2006 12:13:52 PM PDT by Abathar
CROWN POINT, Ind. -- Prayer has been banned at 4-H meetings in Lake County, Ind.
A memorandum issued last month by the Lake County Cooperative Extension Service said prayer is forbidden at all times, including to "begin or close meetings, fundraisers, camp sessions, including meals, and/or award ceremonies."
Stan Sims, the county extension director, said he issued the directive because: "We want to respect peoples' beliefs and be inclusive."
No single incident prompted his note.
The formal prayers had been a tradition at various events, including 4-H, which has more than 800 youth members in Lake County.
The new policy is a nod to state and civil rights law and recommendations from the Extension Service Diversity Advisory Council.
Trying to remember the last time I met a Muslim at my daughters 4-H club meeting, it's not coming to me....
"No single incident prompted his note. "
SO what brought this on?
Why do prayers have to be group efforts for God to hear them?
Bass Ackwards per his statement.........
Lake County Indiana could sure use some prayer.
They're the ones who buy all the Ammonium Nitrate for growing things...............
Well, huh, if they really wanted to be 'inclusive', and not make anybody feel uncomfortable, maybe they should eliminate the swine show (and all the other unclean animals). I will be watching for similar stupidity to filter down through Hancock County 4H. Hopefully this is not coming from Purdue...
They don't of course, but they have been doing it since they started that club.
Any time here in Indiana you get more than 3 farming families together and you can bet there is going to be a prayer sooner or later, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that, if you don't want to pray then don't, why ruin it for all the other people that like to do it?
They just hang around the CO-OP and the extension office, they can get the diesel fuel there with one stop, saves on time you know...
Bubba Muhammed?........
Ya just gotta wonder exactly which law of the State of Indiana this gentleman thinks prohibits voluntary prayer.
We've been debating on whether or not to get involved in a local 4-H. So I haven't been to a formal meeting. We are looking at this as a replacement for the Girl Scouts. Since the Girl Scouts allow lesbians in there for ANY position - we simply don't want to risk out daughter being molested.
I guess they could just say "Go to h#ll Lake county" and become private like the boy scouts or something, but that would just bring in the ACLU faster I bet...
"We want to respect peoples' beliefs and be inclusive."
Better look up the corporate ladder to the university that directs the operations at the Cooperative Extension Service....
I like it because the people there are just good down to earth folks that care about there kids and the kind of life they want them to lead. There's not a lot of rich people who just drop their kids off and leave them to go shopping, but people who are genuinely interested in letting their kids experience rural life.
Stan Sims, the county extension director, said he issued the directive because: "We want to respect peoples' beliefs and be inclusive."
By preventing people from exercising their beliefs and being exclusive.
Somebody got to Sims??
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Let God turn off the rain for a few weeks in Lake County. Then we'll see how long the prayer ban lasts.
Another unconstitutional civil right breech, brought to you by the Anti-Christian Lawyers Union.
Putting on my flamesuit. :-)
4-H is a government youth organization that receives both federal and state funds. I was a 4-H volunteer, and the meetings began with the Pledge of Allegiance, the 4-H Pledge, roll call, collect dues, and then we got right down to business. If everyone in the club agrees to say a prayer, no one at headquarters is going to find out. But remember every 4-H Club as part of a gov't organization must remain open for other children, regardless of their faith, to join. That's part of the deal, as it's taxpayer funded.
Hisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss....
We joined 4-H thinking it would be similar to a scouting organization, but it was very different from what we expected. I don't know what scouting groups require. But, 4-H is all about learning how to be part of a club - hold meetings, club officers, following Roberts Rules, etc. - and 4-H is really big on recordkeeping.
Each 4-H Club has its own interests, independent of the others, and whatever your interest is, say raising horses, you have to maintain detailed records and then submit those record books each year to headquarters. Learning to give public presentations is also a very important part of 4-H.
It's not what we expected, but it's worthwhile because there are scholarships that can be earned and awards, etc., the clubs participate in fairs, and so on.
I've only heard about the Girl Scouts, but, remember, anyone can join 4-H, too.
First the Boy Scouts, now 4-H
What children's organization will be next?
Here goes another great and fine American institution down the drain of PC.
I say> have your prayers and dare this butt wipe to do anything about it.
"Let our brother's will be done." - Anthem by Ayn Rand
A good musical version was performed by RUSH on 2112.
"Why do prayers have to be group efforts for God to hear them?"
Good point. Jesus said go in your closet (alone, obviously) and shut the door to pray.
Thanks for the info..
I wonder what people here would say if the leaders of the local 4-H happened to be Muslim and at the start of their meetings asked all the children to recite a Muslim prayer praising mohammed and ending in "Allah Ackbar!".
Why not a moment of silence? Christians can pray to Jesus, Jews to Jehovah, Muslims to Allah and the atheists can twiddle their thumbs.
Governments should stop prohibiting the free exercise of religion. It's a violation of the Constitution.
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