90 Teens at Memphis high school pregnant

[Harls]

Perhaps its not logically because you don't fully understanding the statement.

No, it's not logical because that statement -- "the absence of God's character of hearts of teenagers in public school system is a catalyst to this moral decline" -- is saying that because all teenagers are not religious/Christians/whatever, it means that they will automatically be on a path of wrongness. I'm simply disagreeing using myself as an example; just because you don't have "religion in your heart," doesn't mean you are a lesser person or more "sinful" or wrong than anyone else. I'm not trying to knock religion, either -- I believe people should be able to believe whatever gets them through the day. I'm just saying, it's ridiculous to say that religion = goodness (sure, maybe for some people, not all, nor is it necessary) in all cases.

 

[Motown Marvel]

People are people. You don't need the Christian God in your life to be a better person or a more moral person. As a man who hasn't believed in the God that the Bible preaches in a long time, my morals have not become devalued. If anything, they have strengthened.

School is not a church, or a synagouge, or a temple, or a mosque. That's why this is America.

*flag appears behind me*

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Spoiler

you knocked up these 90 girls, didnt you?

 

[Hotwire]

I don't know any Christian who thinks that particular punishment would be good idea today. As said before, New Covenant <> Mosaic Laws.

The Israelites were a fickle bunch in the beginning, ready to worship a golden calf as Moses disappeared for two minutes. The temptation to mix their faith and worship with the pagan worship around them was real. Even Moses was wavering near the end, disrespecting God during the journey to Promised Land. The Mosaic Law was written in a way so that the Israelites would have a severe respect for principles of God's principles (respecting parents, respecting other's property, respect other people). If during that time, the punishments had been light, the logical consequence during that historical time period would been that Israel would have dissolved and been absorbed by neighboring pagan countries. Nobody would have had respect for anything if punishments had been light. It's a consequence of a kingdom with a juvenile mentality. You have to punish a child even when he does not yet understand why he's being punished.

God needed to create the foundation...the respect for those principles (respect for others, no stealing, no cursing) before Jesus, who would provide mercy, grace, and forgiveness to arrive. If Jesus had come without Isreal's kingdom established and the principles in place, nobody around Him would have understood what He was trying to do. It would have been completely out of mind, nonsense to them. Reverence for those principles was needed before grace and mercy could be provided. Otherwise people would have just taken those principles for granted.




When you read the Bible, you have to understand history, context, how the covenants apply, and the purpose of God throughout is applied. You can't cherry pick a verse and close the Bible. Nobody does that for any other piece of literature.

Ok, so some parts of the Bible do offend you. As for cherry picking verses of the Bible, that's usually the Bible-Thumper's trick whenever there's some part of society they disagree with.

Give it up, dude. The fact that people were not in the halls of the schools preaching to them is not the reason these girls did what they did. It didn't stop Bristol Palin in her decision to have unprotected, premarital sex, what makes you think it would have stopped these girls? The separation of church and state is NOT to blame here. Poor education is. The bottom line is that no one taught these girls responsibility, no one taught them discipline, and no one taught them that that babies are NOT fashion accessories.

 

[SentinelMind]

Ok, so some parts of the Bible do offend you.

I don't know how you came to this conclusion. It couldn't have been from reading anything I wrote.

As for cherry picking verses of the Bible, that's usually the Bible-Thumper's trick whenever there's some part of society they disagree with.

Ok, take that up with those who do that. I don't have any problem quoting verses.

Give it up, dude. The fact that people were not in the halls of the schools preaching to them is not the reason these girls did what they did.

I view it as a long-term trend. I can't point to any one specific incident that caused this...but long-term disrespect for self, morality, God's principles, and increased secularism over the decades is likely responsible for this.

It didn't stop Bristol Palin in her decision to have unprotected, premarital sex, what makes you think it would have stopped these girls?

Is Bristol Palin the epitome or standard-bearer for the American teenage girl? I'm amused how much the secular social-left obsesses over this girl..I couldn't care less what she does.

The separation of church and state is NOT to blame here.

The challenges to religious presence in public schools mixed with increased social degeneration masked as "intellectualism" or "modernity" has clearly contributed to this growing trend of increased teenage pregnancy. Why has the problem in Tennessee gotten so much worse over the decades?

 

[SentinelMind]

No, it's not logical because that statement -- "the absence of God's character of hearts of teenagers in public school system is a catalyst to this moral decline" -- is saying that because all teenagers are not religious/Christians/whatever, it means that they will automatically be on a path of wrongness. I'm simply disagreeing using myself as an example; just because you don't have "religion in your heart," doesn't mean you are a lesser person or more "sinful" or wrong than anyone else. I'm not trying to knock religion, either -- I believe people should be able to believe whatever gets them through the day. I'm just saying, it's ridiculous to say that religion = goodness (sure, maybe for some people, not all, nor is it necessary) in all cases.

Although I don't think its appropriate to use one's self as an example as one cannot be an objective critique of oneself....I'm not talking about any one person. I'm talking about the overall trend. I agree the parents bare a large responsibility for this as well.

 

[Harls]

Although I don't think its appropriate to use one's self as an example as one cannot be an objective critique of oneself....I'm not talking about any one person. I'm talking about the overall trend. I agree the parents bare a large responsibility for this as well.

I've seen and know of a lot of teenagers who are both non-religious and also not getting pregnant or into things like that - however, it'd be kind of pointless to say "I have a friend who's not like that."


In the end, if teens want to have sex, they're going to. No matter what, that's the truth.

 

[Motown Marvel]

i lost my virginity in a church parking lot when i was 16. i think its safe to assume that it was my proximity to god's house that prevented conception.

 

[Hotwire]

I don't know how you came to this conclusion. It couldn't have been from reading anything I wrote.


Is Bristol Palin the epitome or standard-bearer for the American teenage girl? I'm amused how much the secular social-left obsesses over this girl..I couldn't care less what she does.



The challenges to religious presence in public schools mixed with increased social degeneration masked as "intellectualism" or "modernity" has clearly contributed to this growing trend of increased teenage pregnancy. Why has the problem in Tennessee gotten so much worse over the decades?

I drew that conclusion because you seemed to agree with my statement about parts of Leviticus. I guess I stand corrected and you are not offended by laws suggesting you put your child to death for cursing you.

Bristol Palin is the only public figure I could think of that I was sure you would also know.

OK, so you want religion to be present in public schools. Would that be just Christianity, or are you ok with other religions as well?

 

[Hotwire]

Although I don't think its appropriate to use one's self as an example as one cannot be an objective critique of oneself....I'm not talking about any one person. I'm talking about the overall trend. I agree the parents bare a large responsibility for this as well.

None of the guys I hung out with as a teenager were what I would call religious, yet none of use became fathers until we were in stable relationships. Only one of us has never been married, but that's because he doesn't believe in it. He's still a responsible father to both of his kids, and trust me, he's a far cry from Christian!

 

[Metamorpho1977]

If only we had stricter sex control laws, maybe this wouldn't happen.

 

[raybia]

No, it's not logical because that statement -- "the absence of God's character of hearts of teenagers in public school system is a catalyst to this moral decline" -- is saying that because all teenagers are not religious/Christians/whatever, it means that they will automatically be on a path of wrongness. I'm simply disagreeing using myself as an example; just because you don't have "religion in your heart," doesn't mean you are a lesser person or more "sinful" or wrong than anyone else. I'm not trying to knock religion, either -- I believe people should be able to believe whatever gets them through the day. I'm just saying, it's ridiculous to say that religion = goodness (sure, maybe for some people, not all, nor is it necessary) in all cases.

Its not logical for you according to your interpretation. Now perhaps your interpretation is correct but it would be up to the poster who made the statement to confirm and if he doesn't come forth and do so then that is all you are left with.

With that said, I do understand where you are coming from and of course I too don't believe that religion necessarily = goodness but I will quote Thomas Paine, who I share the same sentiments as, who stated:

"The World is my country, all man and women are my brothers and sisters, and to do good is my religion."

 

[Scourge2099]

i lost my virginity in a church parking lot when i was 16. i think its safe to assume that it was my proximity to god's house that prevented conception.

What kind of church did you go to ?

 

[raybia]

In the end, if teens want to have sex, they're going to. No matter what, that's the truth.

Very true. Sex and a whole list of other things too. That is how life is lived for all people. We make choices and then we deal with the outcome of our choices. We live and learn. Its just important for teens to realize that and accept 100% responsibility for their actions and not expect their parents, family or society to share or to remove that responsibility.

 

[Scourge2099]

I'd be fine with my kids having sex as long as they didn't knock anyone up or got knocked up. Or get VD.

 

[Angry Monkey]

my mom told me if I got pregnant she'd kicked me out of the house!! And she meant it!...I'm over 20 still no kids!

 

[raybia]

I'd be fine with my kids having sex as long as they didn't knock anyone up or got knocked up. Or get VD.

There are many parents who share your sentiments and we live in a society that promotes promiscuity in various degrees so we all have been desensitized. This was not always the case in this country.

Even if it was possible to always avoid pregnancy and disease (which it is not), they are not the only consequences that can result from promiscuity.

 

[Scourge2099]

There are many parents who share your sentiments and we live in a society that promotes promiscuity in various degrees so we all have been desensitized. This was not always the case in this country.

Even if it was possible to always avoid pregnancy and disease (which it is not), they are not the only consequences that can result from promiscuity.

It's more like they're gonna do that s*** regardless of what I say. I can't lock 'em up in their room when they aren't in school.

 

[Mr.Webs]

No, it's not logical because that statement -- "the absence of God's character of hearts of teenagers in public school system is a catalyst to this moral decline" -- is saying that because all teenagers are not religious/Christians/whatever, it means that they will automatically be on a path of wrongness. I'm simply disagreeing using myself as an example; just because you don't have "religion in your heart," doesn't mean you are a lesser person or more "sinful" or wrong than anyone else. I'm not trying to knock religion, either -- I believe people should be able to believe whatever gets them through the day. I'm just saying, it's ridiculous to say that religion = goodness (sure, maybe for some people, not all, nor is it necessary) in all cases.

Very well said. And in the end, we can only use ourselves as examples because we know no one better than ourselves and we can be our own harshest critics. No matter how many statistics we find or reports we read we can't know exactly what's going on in the mind of others, and to pass judgement on what we don't know would go against Jesus' teachings directly.

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Spoiler

you knocked up these 90 girls, didnt you?

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Spoiler

 

[raybia]

It's more like they're gonna do that s*** regardless of what I say. I can't lock 'em up in their room when they aren't in school.

You said you are fine with it. If that is the case then why would you say otherwise or lock them up in their room.

Now if you are not fine with it but you are just saying you don't know how to handle it then that is a different thing all together nor is there anything wrong with admitting so.

My point is that your attitude is wrong. If every single person who educates and advises had that attitude then all educators and advisers from all fields and walks of life would disappear because "they are going to do what they want regardless of what we tell them." Educating and advising our children is not about control their mind and actions or at least it should not be. Its about preparing them to manage their own lives. We want them to have a mind of their own but one that will make intelligent decisions for themselves and their future.

 

[TheDreamMaster]

Ok, so some parts of the Bible do offend you. As for cherry picking verses of the Bible, that's usually the Bible-Thumper's trick whenever there's some part of society they disagree with.

Give it up, dude. The fact that people were not in the halls of the schools preaching to them is not the reason these girls did what they did. It didn't stop Bristol Palin in her decision to have unprotected, premarital sex, what makes you think it would have stopped these girls? The separation of church and state is NOT to blame here. Poor education is. The bottom line is that no one taught these girls responsibility, no one taught them discipline, and no one taught them that that babies are NOT fashion accessories.

I come from a religious background, but I gotta agree with Hotwire. If it was God's wrath for not teaching his word in school this would be happening in schools all across America. Religious teachings can be easily found and learned from many religious institutions usually established in cities, and I doubt Memphis has a shortage of these. I really do think the school's lack of teaching to be a responsible teen, coupled with the parents allowing their kids to find their way into this siutation as well as the teens own stupidity for this.
MAny of you know by now my fiance' and I had our daughter when we were just 18 so I am not the poster boy for responsibility, but we've been trying to raise our daughter right and I can't imagine my life without her now. But as I can attest, sometimes it isn't the fault of anyone. I had the sex ed at my school, I knew the risks and was mature about it, but it still happened. So sometimes, it isn't any blame but those involved.

 

[Marvolo]

The way I've always view religion and teenagers is that if you shelter a child too much they crave the experience you are so strongly fighting to keep them from. Teach them why its wrong, and talk to them about it. Don't push it down their throat, because in the end you will push them toward the very thing you are protecting them against. I went to a small christian school, and it was sad how many high school students didn't know basic sex education. I'm talking didn't know what to do with their sexual organs nor did they know how to use a condom. That to me is a failure on the parents part. If someone hadn't explained to this person what the heck to do they would have wound up fooling around with some other poor girl who didn't know what she was doing and both of them may have ended up with a kid. Now granted the person was brought up to not have premarital sex, but they didn't follow that sentiment with their parents so they were looking to get out there and figure some things out on their own. I get protecting your kids, but acting like sexual organs dont exits or are dirty is a ridiculous notion that leads to these kids doing stupid things. Be informative to your children, and don't act like you are a bunch of monks living in the dark ages. Anyways, all that to say that I don't believe this was a result of seperation of church and state, but a failure on the parents part.

 

[Wylie Times]

Whats sex education like in Memphis?

Memphis sex education focuses on abstinence above all else. The girl in the vid even said they need a class to teach girls how not to get pregnant.

 

[Victarion]

I blame this on idiots. Idiots erryday. Now they should pay the consequences. No abortions, no giving the offspring up for adoption. That way they'll learn not to snap their legs open with the velocity of a mousetrap snapping down on a furred rodent, spattering its innards as messily as the clap of their thighs spattered their dreams and futures.

 

[SuperFerret]

Wow. This thread went FAR off topic.

 

[Motown Marvel]

What kind of church did you go to ?

i was raised in a catholic church. i think the parking lot where i left my cherry was protestant.