Gideons face trespassing charges

I don't want ANY strangers approaching my grandkids as they enter and leave school. These are children, not adults. Big difference. Too much danger. Kids need to run away from strangers, and schools need to protect them as they leave.

 

You've completely missed the point of the article. The question is did the men violate any law by giving out Bibles on the sidewalk?

As a parent I feel much the same as you with respect to someone approaching my kids (that is why my wife or I drop them off and pick them up every day). However, my feelings do not enter the picture here. The question is did those men violate some law? Unless there is some local or Florida state law that I don't know about, which prohibits people from approaching kids leaving a school, I'd have to say that they did not violate any law.

 

Hey Sue,

When I was a kid the Gideons used to come into the classroom and give a Bible to everyone that wanted one. I agree with you, I don't see how they could have broken any law so long as they did not obstruct the sidewalk.

 

I don't care if they are handing out Bibles or crack cocaine, I don't like the idea of adults loitering around schoolchildren. I don't know them, my kids don't need to have to figure out how to avoid getting close to strange adults lingering on the sidewalk by a school, hoping to engage other people's children without their parents around.

 

the question is, is it illegal to stand on a public sidewalk and hand a bible to someone who asks for it. nothing else.

 

You should care if they are handing out crack cocaine. I would welcome any stranger who was honest and was giving my children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews a Bible that they might find Christ.

 

Amen, Sue!

 

It all depends. IF there are anti-loitering laws, then it certainly could be illegal. Secondly, from what I know of Gideons, they don't passively wait for those who ask...they offer. Thirdly, again, if they are accosting children, they should be made to move along. Any pervert could join the Gideons as a means of approaching children.

 

My point is that it matters not what they are handing out, but that strangers ought not to be bothering children. My kids were taught to run screaming if a stranger approached them. Blocking the sidewald at a school by adults is undermining parents' teaching and forcing kids to get close to them. I think they should be forced to move along or be arrested. Let them offer to adults and leave other people's kids alone.

 

I agree! :thumbsup:

 

It is on topic. I already stated that most jurisdictions I know of have anti-loitering laws. SO it is likely they were in violation. I applaud the cops for protecting children. So please don't start a topic and try to suppress discussion that disagrees with your opinion.

 

This could very well be considered a free speech issue. I'm sure the aclu will assist the Gideons.

On the other hand...probably not. Liberals in general only support free speech when it suits them, and the aclu only when it means stopping the spread of the Gospel.

 

You two always seem to take a position against Christianity. Why is that?

 

Please stay on topic!!

Seriously though: Typical persecution complex. It is not very becoming of Christians to frame every issue as Christians being persecuted. Of course the school called them, as they should have to protect the kids. As for accountability, what is to stop two sex offenders from joining the Gideons to accost kids. It's a sad, but true fact of life today. Protecting our kids is not "taking a position against Christianity". What poppycock!