Some mega churches affect students adversely

last SG · 2007-09-19T11:49:08+00:00

that would be an excellent idea... under age cannot enter! Include also a warning sign at the doors of all religious establishments: WARNING: Listening to t...

Icemoon SG

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_159276.html

I READ with deep interest the article, 'Drawing the line between Caesar and God' (ST, Aug 2).

The objection of one of the large independent churches in Singapore to complying with provisions in the draft code of governance for charities would logically provoke concern about its financial transparency. This is especially so as these are 'rich' churches, judging by their well-equipped premises and set-up. These circumstances bring to light another concern. Some of these 'mega churches' have relentless recruitment activities in many schools and junior colleges.

My friends and I have loved ones whose lives and attitude have changed after they joined these churches. They lose interest in schoolwork to the point of academic failure. Family time is curtailed drastically, and they stop attending family functions. Parental objections are ignored, family squabbles ensue and family harmony is disrupted. It's heartbreaking. It is like we have lost our children.

I write this not to impugn any religion, but to warn against the abuse of religion. Having had such traumatic experiences, I cannot remain silent. I hope this letter will serve as a warning to parents regarding such youth activities that may destroy their personal lives and family harmony.

Dr Lee Bee Wah

Icemoon SG

Laughing

So what should the church do to ally the fears of the parents?

shade343 SG

How about a donation of sorts? Or pay the students market rate for their marketing activities? Laughing

sLeEpWaLkErInG SG

It is dependable on the education system in Churches, in my opinion.

Whatever that is too much is consider an abuse, i personally is not a christian but occasionally i flip thru the bible to read.

I can see there is hatred between fellow christians against other churches, which they deemed to be commercialised. In my opinion, commercialised or not, the aim is to help the "lost" to find the true path to the holy one.

vince69 SG

Then as parents, they should help their kids managed their time....

By the way, what can the church do? the church can't enforce discipline on them (only their parents can) and there is no 'BAN' button to press also Laughing (punt intented) Rolling Eyes .

Chin Eng SG

I am totally against churches that attempts to preach to the children that they need to be loyal to "GOD and Church" and ends up having these children spending a ridiculous of time and money support their activities.

Many of such organisations blur the line of allegiance between God and church. Church do not necessarily equal to God. Church programs are inherently still programs and these kids MUST realise that.

Such churches need to realise that some of their attempts to glorify God is in reality, tearing the fabric of family unity. In their zeal to serve God, many times they actually alienate themselves to those who they are trying to reach.

btw, ice, you beat me to this post.... read it in the papers today.

Icemoon SG

I read it online. Laughing

sgdiehard SG

huhh....what can the church do???? if the church can't do anything about discipline, then stop the "relentless recruitment activities in many schools and junior colleges", don't change the "lives and attitude" of others loved ones, don't....disrupt family harmony. don't break anymore heart, don't take the children away from their parents.

AndrewPKYap SG

This is like asking how the snake can help allay the fears of the chickens. Laughing

vince69 SG

what type of discipline can or expected to enforce on the kids???

caning? cannot
scolding? cannot
grounding? cannot
detention? cannot

the thing to remember is, the church do not have any authority to discipline these kids. The only person who have the moral and legal authority to enforce such discipline is still their parents.

vince69 SG

no, its more like blaming the teachers for the ill discipline of their children (while not allowing the teacher to punish them for these ill disciplines)

AndrewPKYap SG

Are you saying that the church has no role in promoting the beliefs that led to the breakdown in the familiar harmony in those households?

hisoka SG

getting a person converted will always create frictions with the person’s past commitments, family and friends de lah.

sillyme SG

Actually some preachers unknowingly teach that time away from church or church activities are undesirable. This leads to youths over-committing themselves in church.

I think these preachers need to rethink about what they teach.

The church need to teach children to be good stewards of time. They need to teach that we should honour our parents. They need to teach them that they are to be salt and light of the world everywhere they go, not just in church.

vince69 SG

This is what the church teaches...
"Obey your father and mother for this is what the Lord requires of you"

one of the many factors that amy also contribute to this type of breakdown is lack of communication within the family, hence kids like to hang out with their friends who they feel understand them. and many of these kids goes to church just because their friends are there, not so much that they are interested in being christian or the church teachings.

have anyone also blame those internet gaming shops? bowling centers? ...etc where their kids may also hang out?

vince69 SG

My problem with this article and also some of the arguments here is that the putting of the blame of family breakdowns solely on the church... don't the parents also have the responsibilities of teaching their children? don't these kids (secondary school/junior colleges) old enough to know about discipline (if not, what have the parents been teaching them during all those years before?)

Icemoon SG

I don't think so.

If there is a conflict between church and family/parents, how to resolve?

Perhaps we need to take the context into consideration. It could be that the original message is for people whose parents also believe in the same God, e.g. Jews.

In the event your parents command you to idolatory, the prohibition against idolatory is greater than the "prohibition" not to disobey your parents, if there is such a prohibition.

AndrewPKYap SG

and if the parents tell them not to go to church? Will the church honor their own teaching and say, "Please don't come until you get a written permission from your parents". There is such a thing as lip service, you know? Rolling Eyes

dumbdumb! SG

that happened in my old church. the members teach that time spent away from church is bad etc..

then because of that my parents wanted to know more about christianity, to make sure I didn't join a cult etc. and now they're christians. Very Happy

we changed church, now my dad's a cell leader! Mr. Green

sillyme SG

I think this is a valid point. Then again, the writer is saying that the church is the cause or at least the trigger to the breakdown.

We must also remember that youths are at the age of exploration and testing boundaries. They have tremendous amounts of energy that needs to be guided. I think the church can be a positive guide to them during this time.

Unfortunately, some youths use church activities as an excuse to do things they like as opposed to activities such as studying. Razz