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This boy in my class belives in god, so do I. He even brung a bible to school!!! That was very brave. My mom told me to bring the bible to school once but I refused becuase I was scared that my friend would make fun. So any way, I saw him being made fun of. They were calling him names like stupid for beliving in god. I knew it wasnt right but again I was scared I would be made fun of also. Next time this happens do I stand up for him? Do I tell the teacher? Or do I just leave things the way they are? I need help!!!
Lululover:
I think that the best thing in this situation is to let the Bible speak for itself:
"Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels" (Lk. 9:26)
"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others I will deny before my heavenly Father (Mt. 10:32-33).
"If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, 'No slave is greater than his master.' If the purecuted me, they will also persecute you" (Jn. 18-20).
"Jesus approached them and said, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Mt. 28:18-20).
"...sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an account for anyone who asks you a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ, may themselves be put to shame" (1 Pet. 3:15-16).
The following is a paraphrase of a quote from the film Ghandi, in which he is talking about the Lord's command to turn the other cheek: "there is something about being willing to take a blow from someone who is angry with you that makes his respect for you increase, and his anger for you decrease.
Also, keep in mind the point that toadaly brought up. We must not try to carry a bible in order to look holy. If we preach the word, it has to be an act of love. We have to be faithful to Our Lord's last command, with "gentleness and reverence."
In response to toadaly's comments about preaching in the public square: Recall that in ancient times, the temple was the public square. Christ Jesus did not only preach to the people who wanted to hear what he said, but also to people that wanted to stone him for what he said and did (including wrecking the market place in the temple). You will also not that he ate and drank tax collectors and prostitutes. It is a logical conclusion that they would not have gone to the temple/synagogues or that they would have invited a total stranger into their homes. Therefore, they probably would have heard him speak, presumably in public.
awww your such a cutie. okay YES STAND UP!!! for what is right I use to go through the same thing at school. I would debate kids on religion when it came to like abortion and stuff like that. I didnt get made fun of because at school im like one of the mose liked kids who are always having fun im varsity cheerleading my freshmen year im always in our yearbooks. im pretty I think and I always stand up for something I believe. EXAMPLE in school im learning about evolution with the big bang theroy. I think that its even wrong for me to even attempt to learn something like this im a strait A student and to do whats right I am willing to take a F on that because I dont believe it im not going to do something that I dont believe in. honestly you should also because you friend needs you so you should help him and if you get involved with it they probably will stop and im sure some of them believe in god and wont say anything for the sake of ambarrasment. but hunny if your religious think about it dont you want to show your true faith I mean look at what happen to our brave god he god made fun of and told he wasnt the son of god and he is. so I think you should bring your bible to school. if you have any problems you can always pray ill keep you and your friend in my thoughts. now you be good. good luck
The same thing happened to me at school - one day I got fed up with being teased for believing in God, so when they started teasing aonther girl for the same thing, I kept quiet. Like you, I felt bad afterwards.
First of all, I think you should pray about what to do next. God is pleased that you believe in Him and want to do what's right. He will help you. One of the ways He helps is through advice from other people who've been there before, so pray about the answers you're getting here.
What's clear is that Christians and non-Christians alike are all saying that these kids are wrong to be making fun of this boy. If you think that the kids are actually bullying him, then yes, it's your duty to tell a teacher.
The next thing is whether you're prepared to stand up next to him, as it were, and risk the same treatment. This is where I advise you to pray and find out what God wants you to be doing right now. Maybe you don't know what you'd say if they asked you why you believe in God. Perhaps you'll need to do a bit of studying and prayer before you feel confident you could give a good answer. Talk to your mother or a church leader, perhaps. Keep praying, and we'll be praying for you too...
I am sorry for what is happening to your classmate. one of the hardest things is to stand up for what is being ridiculed or unpopular. I grew up jewish and there were only three other jews in the school and one was in my class. he went to temple with me but kept his religion a secret at school. a girl in my class was having a birthday party and she invited everyone but me. she said that her dad didn't want any jews at the party. well, mark (the other jewish kid) was invited and he didn't say one word about being jewish or try to speak up for me. he went to the party. I still remember it to this day. some of the kids laughing, one tossed a penny to see if I would pick it up, another told everyone that her parents said that the jews killed jesus. mark never opened his mouth. from that time on everytime I hear someone being picked on, I say something. it is hard to do and sometimes it makes you unpopular. but it feels better to be unpopular because you did the right thing, than popular because you kept your mouth shut.
jaceb, I believe that you are confused regarding separation of church and state. The separation of church and state is a legal and political principle derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." and it would offend you if someone was just carrying around a bible? I could understand if they were reading it out loud, or trying to witness to you etc, but just carrying it? I don't want someone to preach to me but I could care less if they carry a bible or any other religious book for that matter.
toadaly,
I specifically mentioned the law because some zealots love to tell everyone that we atheists want to "abolish Christianity" and we have "banned the Bible" from the classroom. I wanted to be very clear that's not the case.
Regarding the motive, I would definitely ask this of an adult. However, I do not go out of my way to challenge children. I think it would do more harm than good since I don't know what pressures their parents & church put upon them and I do not wish to challenge that parental authority. If you have some arguments as to why this is not the best approach, please funmail me or post. I am always open to new ideas.
If you believe in something, than you are a representative of that idea or belief. you stand up for your beliefs. I'm an agnostic(I actually am very confused with my religious beliefs right now, but thats not really important right now). Do what you think is right, don't let the fear of not being accepted bring you down.
I am trying to spread this quote as much as possible, because I think it is a very good quote and idea. "Those who mind who you are, don't matter. Those who matter, don't mind."
Hope I helped
Zach
I don't believe in God but I do believe in treating people right. No one should make fun of you or mistreat you because you have a Bible or because you believe in God. If you feel that you are ready, you can stand up for your friend and let the others know that what they are doing isn't cool. If you aren't ready to take that step, you can certainly let your teacher know and the school should take steps to prevent that from happening again.
Good luck!
I have to question why you or the other boy are wanting to bring Bibles to school anyway. Do you read it during lunch, or are you just carrying it around to advertise your beliefs?
It's unbiblical to make a public display of your beliefs.
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."
I'll tell you what my father told me when I was faced with the same problem
Think about what is right and wrong and do what you believe is right.
I am a Christian too, and I can tell you it says in the bible that those who are mocked for the name of Jesus will recieve a special crown in heaven. I do not tell you this to make you stand up for him, but to comfort you that he will be rewarded for his faith.
I'll be praying for you
flossheal, care to give an example of Jesus flaunting his religion in public? Even the sermon on the mount was given away from the public square where only those who wanted to attend would hear it.
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Yes, they have a right to carry a Bible. Yes bullying is wrong. I think most of us agree on that.
I'm questioning the motive for bringing a Bible to school fully knowing that it's going to result in antagonizing behavior.
I personally dont believe in God, but you should stand up for what you believe in, because no matter what you should never make fun of others or what their beliefs are. I think the bible does say if you dont stand up to those who make fun of others you're just as bad as the ones doing the wrongdoing. No one should make ANYONE feel bad about their beliefs!
It takes courage to stand up for what is right, and go against the flow.
God is always looking for someone that will do what is right.
He admires bravery.
You can get courage when you pray.
The Holy Spirit is available to empower you.
A lifetime of living for and serving the Living God, is very rewarding.
God be with you...
jaceb, I agree with you on many points, but I have to side with trickynick on this. For a student to practice his religion, or show signs of it, at school, to the degree it is not creating a disturbance, is Constitutionally protected. The students are not representatives of the state, they are simply ordinary citizens.
I do not believe in God, but I definatly have never seen this problem in any of my schools. But my advice to your friend would be, DON'T bring a Bible to school. I do not tell people I don't believe in God I see no reason for people to say they do, unless they're asked.
I would tell the teacher or principal that he is being bullied - you're right, he is brave and doing the right thing which is unpopular in this day and time - they'll preach 'tolerance' but live 'intolerance' - standing up for God and what is right is NEVER wrong !!
Jesus' statement quoted above indicates that it's unbiblical to make a public show of being 'holier-than-thou' in an already religious society. It doesn't comment on making your faith known in difficult circumstances.
if you bring the bible to school you will be blessed,don't care about your friend's opinion ,the only opinion that you have to listen to is the voice of god ,don't be scared god will be with you.
well, there is this little thing called seperation of church and state... I wouldn't want someone carrying around a bible in school. That would offend me.
Unless they are disrupting the school day, they have a constitutional right to carry their Bibles to school. And bullying is wrong no matter what.
