Righteous Pathway Ministries

As stated “This site will be used to share the true-life quest of “our family” in search for the truth and love of our Heavenly Father. We are real people desiring to share God’s love with real people. We will take you on this journey with us as we share our experience on the road of life.”

I am a member of a particular website that allows you to correspond and find people you have lost contact with.  On this site there are many “causes” that you can join and promote.  I was invited to join the cause “Put Christ back into schools.”  Without giving it any thought I joined and sent invitations to nearly all who are on my friends list.  I started receiving notifications of my friends joining the cause as well.  However, I received a particular email strongly disagreeing with my cause to put Christ back into schools.  As we engaged in conversation I realized the importance of knowing where I stand and why.  I began to look at this on a much larger scale and with more sincerity than I ever have.  Without disclosing the identity of the one who emailed me I would like to share our conversation.

Emai”er” wrote:  Hi Patty!

I’m glad to have Friends on Facebook of every race, religion and sexual orientation, and I’m glad we live in a country where, for the most part, we are free to do what we wish. However, I do not support your Cause to “put Christ back in schools.” I’m not a Christian, and believe that would violate our Constitutional right of Freedom of (or FROM) religion. I have many Jewish and Buddhist friends and although I believe religious studies should be an optional course of study in high school - I further believe that those religious studies should include not only Christianity, but the Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist faiths as well. If your child is in a Christian private school, of course that’s another story.

I support your right to believe how you wish, and would even fight for your Freedom of Religion. But we are a Nation of many faiths, and that to me is what makes America great.

Hope you understand - I certainly don’t want to lose a new friend because we are of different faiths!

I responded:  Thank you for being open. This cause to my understanding and perhaps I should investigate it in greater depth, is to allow all children the privilege of reading their bible in a time allotted (perhaps study hall or a recess) or to bow their heads in silent prayer or meditation. It is suppose to give back rights that have been taken away for all cultures and religions, or so I thought. I firmly believe that it is the parents duty and not that of a teacher be it public or in church to raise our children in the way they should go. You will not lose me as a friend over religion. I would say if we look hard enough we will find more that we agree on than that in which we disagree. I am a follower of Jesus Christ and respect our differences. I do not partake in religion or the institution we call “church”. I do however promote a personal relationship with God through His son Jesus. I too have Jewish friends in whom I love dearly.
Respectfully,
Patty

Email”er” wrote:  I must admit that I didn’t read much about the group before I responded. I have gone and looked it over, and while it seems relatively harmless, I still firmly believe that there is plenty of time for worship in church and at home. If children want to carry Bibles and have time for meditation and prayer, who could stop them? But as far as “teaching the Bible,” I wouldn’t have a problem with it as long as it was an elective, and other religious studies were offered along side. If you read the posts by the group members, they seem to want to cross that line and think that the problems of the world could be solved by teaching Christianity in school. Personally, I believe that most of the problems in the world are caused by religion (My god is better than your god, so I”ll kill you - makes no sense to me!!)

So, with all due respect to you and your religious beliefs, I’ll stay on the side of separation of church and state.

Have a great day, and by the way..I loved your comment the other day about watching the mountains watching (the rain?)…I can’t remember exactly how you put it, but I thought it was absolute poetry.
PS - I love having discussions like this with level-headed people who CAN discuss it without flying off the handle!

I responded:  Our conversations have sparked me to think larger on this topic than ever before. There is no hatred that runs deeper than that of religious hatred (I wish this wasn’t so). We know this from taking a look at history. Examples include but are not limited to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at the request of the religious ancient Jewish council(Sanhedrin): who were presided over by the high priest. The Holocaust, the genocide of European Jews and others. The Foxes book of martyrs recounts historical facts on those that died at the hand of the Catholic Church who executed those who opposed them and labeling them ”unorthodox heretics.” The Holy Wars of the Middle East is yet another example of religious hatred. These are but a few.

I have yet to find two people (even if they have the same religious persuation) who can cross every “t” and dot every “i” the same. Getting back to the public school side of it, I know that children attend from various religious beliefs and backgrounds. I think greater responsibility undertaken at home by the parents would be the answer and we should stop depending on outside sources for the spiritual needs of our children. Public school is for educational purposes to prepare the young person for entering the work-force, the community at large and becoming a respectable citizen.

My God is a heart God and no one can stop me from praying to Him from my heart no matter where I am. I am instructed to train up my children in the way they should go, no one else is responsible for that. If I study His Word, written in the Bible and hide it in my heart I have the opportunity to meditate on it whenever and wherever I want. He has granted me the priveledge of knowing He is ever present with me and I can call upon Him without creating a disturbance around me. This does not mean that I am ashamed but rather that I exercise wisdom.

I believe that the true worship of God is evident in our everyday life expressed by the love shown toward mankind and creation. Easily seen by others on our countenance and in our behavior, without the ridiculous advertising of our “so-called” dedication to God through bumper stickers, tee shirts, etc. It is my opinion those things offer proof of nothing.

I try to live peaceably with all men as much as lies within me. I realize that I am powerless over the actions, attitudes and behaviors of others. In todays world with all the religions that are established and with equal rights to all, I think religious teaching should be reserved for the home.

After all, satanism is a recognized religion and I would not want my children/grandchildren exposed to that in public school even as an elective! Thanks for the conversation and your kindness. I too appreciate that we can talk without flying off the handle!

I want to apologize to all those that I invited to join the cause “Put Christ back in School.”  My reason for apologizing?  Sadly, we are no longer a  Christian nation.  Our government supports equal rights for every religion that is represented in these United States including satanism.  To permit the study of Christianity in public school automatically results in the allowance of every religion being taught, given equal observance and consideration. 

I/we need to draw closer to Christ in my/our own hearts and lives making it my/our ambition to live quietly, minding my/our own business.  Then my/our daily lives will gain the respect of outsiders.  (I Thess. 4) Instead of becoming decorated religious advertisements, forceful and overbearing we need to live for Christ in meekness exercising wisdom and waiting until we are “asked” before we begin to express the reason of the hope that lies within us.   

We need to depend on Christ and take responsibility for ourseleves and our children, never entrusting others with the teaching and instruction of God’s Word and commandments.   Let us ask God for wisdom and embrace it!

^{Ephesians 6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.   Does this say, teachers? Government?  No, it says Fathers!1Peter 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.   Does this say go around knocking on every door you come to?  No, it is telling us to let them come and inquire from us and we are to be ready to answer them.}

^{But treat the Messiah as holy, as Lord in your hearts while remaining always ready to give a reasoned answer to anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you-yet with humility and fear.  Keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are spoken against, those who abuse the good behavior flowing from your union with the Messiah may be put to shame.}

^{What a valuable lesson I have learned from this.  I hope this will get you to thinking larger also.}

^{As I continue my journey with Him,}

^{Patty Bishop}