Silver Ring Thing Gets Tossed
After the government tried pushing the whole abstinance-only crap, there was this program called the Silver Ring Thing that received over a $1 million in federal funding (which ultimately comes from the taxpayers), despite the fact that it clearly shows an interest in conversion to Christianity. That sort of thing does not sit well with people who prefer that their government does not endorse specific faiths.
Under the deal, the Silver Ring Thing program won't be eligible for more funding unless it ensures the money won't be used for religious purposes...
The Silver Ring Thing program, related to a Christian ministry based in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has received more than $1 million in federal funding during the past three years.The program puts on shows at churches that include comedy skits, music videos and a message of abstinence. Young people are given a silver ring and decide whether they want to pledge to abstain from sex.
by MG at 8:13 AM
14 Comments:
I am doing fine, except wolverines continue to gnaw at my entrails.
Elsewhere on the site, it describes itself as "Christ-centered," saying "We rely solely upon God's redemptive grace for our existence, our vision, and our sustenance, trusting in His sovereignty as we seek to convey hope to all we serve."
Based on the absolutes in that mission statement I would say that there is no way in hell that organization will not push chistianity in their faith based, abstinence only programs aimed at teenagers.
So when they promise not to, and then have a few more tax payer millions dumped in their laps, what will the consequences of that be? I wonder.
I for one would love to see these music videos and skits. I think they would be absolutely fucking hilarious...like the condom commercials where instead of "trojan man" interrupting sex, Christ kicks your door down throws your birth control out the window.
As a matter of fact, any time a Christian group tries to make something look cool and appeal to kids, it ends being quite amusing.
So...if you "fall off the wagon", do you have to give the ring back?
Would they even want it back, considering the vile gelatinous secretions it's undoubtably been exposed to? Okay, maybe not so much gelatinous in most cases. If so, probably you should see your doctor. But still.
What if you only promise not to go all the way? Do you get some nice earrings? A quality retractable pen for the boys? (Appropriate, eh?)
What if with all sincerity you promise to dedicate your life to Jesus but only on the condition you get a single turn at doing the Level 7 full-on Whistling Tree Frog with half twist to the hottie next door first?
On second thought, nevermind. Everybody promises that.
And to think the same mAn who said give me liberty or give me death said, this country wAs not by religionists, but by christiAns, not founded on religion but upon the gospel of jesus christ..
And also george wAshington in his fArewell address made a refference About not being an American if you were not a christiAn.. i guess this shows how mAny non AericAns we hAve living in AmericA..
mAy the lord jesus christ bless you, and sAve your soul.. repent or burn.
And as an American with freedom of religion, I choose to BURN BABY BURN.
Thanks for the blessings tho.
Well, if you're so happy about being burnt for all eternity (that means FOREVER), have fun watching me frolic in Heaven happily, unburnt, forever. Toodles!! Feel free to email at nonopoosha@gmail.com if you'd like to continue this rant. And yeah, since you'll assume I am anyway, yes, I am a Christian and proud of it. I am ordering one of those rings FYI. Oh, just wondering, but what gave you the hint that I was a Christian? Was it my willingness to stand up for what I believe in without putting others down, as you do?? Yeah, a lot of people say thats what tells them I'm a believer. :)
We as Christians are to live a life acceptable and pleasing to God. SRT does not condemn anyone - nor do they judge anyone. As Christians - it is not our job to enforce our belief in the Lord upon anyone either. Anonymous - pray for the people that call the mission of God "crap". Do not argue or be upset "they" do not agree with you. There will be opposition in the world - and may God touch each person that does not know him intimately.
Rock the Casbah, Moxie
"Was it my willingness to stand up for what I believe in without putting others down, as you do??"
Hypocritical statements much?
It would be wise, Anonymous person #1, to heed what Anonymous person #2 said. It seems more accurate with what Christians are "supposed" to believe.
But you don't have to listen to me. Apparently I'm one of those people going to hell.
I joined SRT when I was 14(I'm 18 now). It is a great program. It's really fun. I do see your point about the gov and church being seperate. I support that point of veiw. And as suprising as it is even Bush is one your side. ->"The Bush administration yesterday suspended a federal grant to the Silver Ring Thing abstinence program, saying it appears to use tax money for religious activities."
"Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services ordered the group to submit a "corrective action plan" if it hopes to receive an expected $75,000 grant this year."
I actually saw a performance of Silver Ring Thing a few days ago just to support a friend. I'm 21, and not celibate, but I was actually really impressed after seeing the show. It does have a small religious aspect but the majority of the show talked about the emotional and physical risks of sex, and encourages the viewers to remember their self worth. I went in as a skeptic, but I think the show had a good message and offered a reasonable alternative to some kids. While some individuals ho perform are there because they are remaining celibate until marriage, many of the people in the show are there because of their stories and why having sex was a poor decision for them at the time they made it. They even address those people who were abused and/or raped and how the concept applies to them as well. I do agree that federal funding shouldn't be applied to a program such as this, but you shouldn't bash it until you check it out -- that's just as ignorant as the comments made here which assume the show itself is.
Brittany is right, bashing something without prior knowledge to what it truely is, is ignorant. Maybe the government shouldn't be funding it because it is a religious group, but they have an amazing message. Just because you don't believe in what they are saying doesn't give you the right to say that the people who do agree with it are just being stupid. The government does give us the right to practice our religions as we chose to and the people with the SRT are just doing that. I believe the SRT is a great program that doesn't get the credit that it deserves. I am also a Christian and will stand up for that but even if you aren't a Christian you shouldn't put others down.
That's just fabulous, ladies. Glad you enjoyed the program.
My whole point was that this is a religion-based program teaching religious-based views of sexuality that was getting government funding. Whether or not you think the SRT is a fun, good, wholesome, sweet, darling program or not, the government has no business funding it. It is RELIGION-BASED and we live in a country that separates religion from government.
You are free to practice whatever religion you want to, or not at all. You are free to fuck whoever you want, or not at all. You are free to your opinions, or not at all. But stop coming here and assuming that it's because I am not a "Christian" that I am stomping all over the SRT. For people who call me ignorant, you sure aren't seeing the forest for the trees.
(BTW, my opinion of that program is based on the articles I have read about it that -in short- state that the program does little if anything to curb pre-marital sexual relations. Sexual relations include blow jobs and going down on a girl, for those who want to get into semantics. Think about this - if your 14 year old daughter told you she gave some guy a blow job but didn't actually fuck him, would you still call it sexually active?)
Well just so you know, the abstinence groups have the same rates of sex as everyone else, and this is a fact. Since when does our faith to god rely on sex? How about being thankful and loving eachother? As far as im concerned, I have a strong bond with god. I have faith in him everyday and I will never deny him. I always spread his word. However, I am not celibant and I think if you have to prove to anyone else that you will wait until you are married to have sex, your not confident in your own beliefs. Sex is fine as long as you respect yourself and the person you are with. Being promiscuous is not good either. The bible says wait until you are married? Well the bible also says women shouldn't work and are lower than men. Lets look at it for what it really is. Let god lead your life, love others and love yourself. Thats it! And I do respect those who aren't christian because they belive what they believe so more power to them!
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