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Christian evangelists seek out children at Portland playgrounds, pools
San Jose Mercury News/AP ^ | 7/22/14 | AP

Posted on 07/23/2014 11:09:55 AM PDT by Faith Presses On

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- An evangelical Christian group plans to try to convert children as young as 5 at Portland apartment pools, public parks and dozens of other gathering spots this summer -- a campaign that's got some residents upset.

They've banded together in recent weeks to warn parents about the Child Evangelism Fellowship's Good News Club, buying a full-page ad in the local alternative weekly to highlight the group's tactics.

"They pretend to be a mainstream Christian Bible study when in fact they're a very old school fundamentalist sect," said Kaye Schmitt, an organizer with Protect Portland Children, which takes issue with the group's message and the way it's delivering it.

CEF says Protect Portland Children is a shadow group run by atheists who seek to dismantle Christian outreach. The group said its methods are above reproach.

"Children are easy to manipulate, we all know that," said CEF's vice president Moises Esteves. "We don't use any of the schemes and high-pressure tactics that we're accused of. Nothing could be further from the truth."

Esteves' group decided to hold its annual summer mission program in Portland because of the area's irreligious leanings.

(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...


TOPICS: Current Events; General Discusssion; Moral Issues
KEYWORDS: cef; christians; evangelism; ministry
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To: Agamemnon

Excuse me? The insight I added was parents take umbrage at other people trying to influence their children especially in religion. These people are actually hurting their cause. Do you want someone coming up to you and in your face yelling “You’re going to Hell without Jesus” which is basically what those people are doing. What religion are they espousing to these kids anyway??? JW? LDS? Islam? What???


41 posted on 07/23/2014 11:57:04 AM PDT by SkyDancer (If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed. If you do read the newspaper you are misinformed)
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To: SkyDancer

“parents take umbrage at other people trying to influence their children especially in religion”

Are you referring to public school education?


42 posted on 07/23/2014 11:58:50 AM PDT by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.)
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To: stars & stripes forever

Nope - just those people in the thread who are mentioned going into playgrounds proselytizing.


43 posted on 07/23/2014 11:59:48 AM PDT by SkyDancer (If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed. If you do read the newspaper you are misinformed)
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To: SkyDancer

“proselytizing”

Just following the Voice of the Master:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. —Jesus


44 posted on 07/23/2014 12:02:18 PM PDT by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.)
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To: DoodleDawg

“What if was the Greater Portland Muslim Outreach Project that was messing with the kids. Would you be OK with that?”

Obviously, that would be a horse of a different color, and Portland parents, even those Portland parents who are Pagans, would have to prohibit their kids from going to Portland playgrounds.


45 posted on 07/23/2014 12:03:48 PM PDT by Oliviaforever
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To: Lurking Libertarian

And just who is coming to Israel’s defense now. Christians.

www.ifcj.org International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. An excellent organization. Gave a PowerPoint presentation Sunday to our congregation in support of Israel.


46 posted on 07/23/2014 12:03:54 PM PDT by Maudeen ("End Times Warrior - Sinner Saved by Grace")
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To: DoodleDawg

I would hope you aren’t having your children go to playgrounds unsupervised at the age of 5 and in these days age 16.


47 posted on 07/23/2014 12:07:01 PM PDT by Maudeen ("End Times Warrior - Sinner Saved by Grace")
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To: Pearls Before Swine

Why would you consider it accurate?


48 posted on 07/23/2014 12:08:45 PM PDT by ifinnegan
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To: ifinnegan

Didn’t say it was, didn’t say it wasn’t.

If you read the thread, there’s a number of people who would feel the same way if, hypothetically speaking, it was true.


49 posted on 07/23/2014 12:09:45 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: Oliviaforever
Obviously, that would be a horse of a different color, and Portland parents, even those Portland parents who are Pagans, would have to prohibit their kids from going to Portland playgrounds.

Obviously.

If not Muslims then how about if your child came home from the park with a fistfull of literature from the Mormon Church or Christian Scientists? Would you be OK with that at least?

50 posted on 07/23/2014 12:11:52 PM PDT by DoodleDawg
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To: Maudeen
I would hope you aren’t having your children go to playgrounds unsupervised at the age of 5 and in these days age 16.

Apparently it's OK because the Child Evangelism Fellowship's Good News Club is watching out for them.

51 posted on 07/23/2014 12:13:59 PM PDT by DoodleDawg
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To: DoodleDawg

What’s your beef with Jesus? He died on the Cross for Everyone. Those who believe(no matter what age) that He died, was buried, and rose again will have eternal life in heaven. Worthy is the Lamb! It’s your choice.


52 posted on 07/23/2014 12:20:12 PM PDT by Maudeen ("End Times Warrior - Sinner Saved by Grace")
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To: Maudeen
What’s your beef with Jesus? He died on the Cross for Everyone. Those who believe(no matter what age) that He died, was buried, and rose again will have eternal life in heaven. Worthy is the Lamb! It’s your choice.

My beef would be with a strange adult coming up to my kid without my permission. I'll ask you the same question I asked someone else. What if your kid came home from the park bearing literature from the Mormon Church or a Muslim Outreach or Christian Scientists, and explained how the nice man or lady had told them all about it. Wouldn't you be a bit annoyed?

53 posted on 07/23/2014 12:27:54 PM PDT by DoodleDawg
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To: DoodleDawg

the Child Evangelism Fellowship’s Good News Club is watching out for them

John 3:16


54 posted on 07/23/2014 12:28:24 PM PDT by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.)
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To: ifinnegan; Pearls Before Swine

I am on the same side as him (or her). I’m a Christian, devotedly so. But you just can’t approach young children and not involve their parents, or ask their parents.
Just imagine this, Satanists go and invite young malleable children. Or Mormons, or atheists. Or any group that has a message that you think is in error. If they want to invite or approach my children, they can approach me and I’ll decide.


55 posted on 07/23/2014 12:29:07 PM PDT by Shimmer1 (If chocolate fudge cake could sing, it would sound like Barry White.)
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To: Pearls Before Swine
I’m sorry, I don’t approve. . . .

Dear Mr. Swine:

I think the fact that you don't approve puts you in the same category Protect Portland Children and their apparent ignorance of Christians and Christianity. Their claim that Child Evangelism Fellow is not mainstream Christianity, but is old school fundamentalism encourages me that someone--not the doddering old fools of mainstream Christianity--is bringing the Good News message to children who are growing up in a hotbed of rebellious liberalism.

And, by the way, many throughout history AND prophecy have not approved of the message that Christ died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose again so that men and women can be saved OUT of their sin and FROM eternal consequences to a New Life in Christ.

Many who have not approved are replete in history with ties to cruelty, mass executions, crucifixion, torture, suppression of religious freedom, imprisonment, destruction of the family, and slaughter.

They are those who also would not or do not approve of the saving Message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
56 posted on 07/23/2014 12:29:38 PM PDT by righttackle44 (Take scalps. Leave the bodies as a warning.)
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To: Shimmer1

Yep. Parents have to protect, and in so doing decide. The kids will get to decide again later, in their teens, when they question everything their parents thought, anyway. At least they’ll be better equipped then, or should be.


57 posted on 07/23/2014 12:31:02 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: Oliviaforever

It’s not their Constitutional right to approach strangers’ children. The first amendment concerns free speech that the GOVERNMENT can’t stifle, not individuals.


58 posted on 07/23/2014 12:31:13 PM PDT by Shimmer1 (If chocolate fudge cake could sing, it would sound like Barry White.)
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To: righttackle44

Are you writing exclusively to me, or to others on this thread who have expressed opinions similar to mine?


59 posted on 07/23/2014 12:32:22 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: SkyDancer; Faith Presses On
You failed to answer my challenge:

"Tell us all about the abundant success you have achieved with your method."

Let's open up your method to some scrutiny, shall we?

Be prepared to give specific measurable examples of your success.

Try to be persuasive.

What religion are they espousing to these kids anyway??? JW? LDS? Islam? What???

You are clearly un-researched on this topic.

Doing careful research before you post is essential to making a cogent argument.

FReegards!

 photo million-vet-march.jpg

60 posted on 07/23/2014 12:32:32 PM PDT by Agamemnon (Darwinism is the glue that holds liberalism together)
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