AIBU about these religious nutters?

[PatriarchyPersonified]

So I'll admit immediately that I am a pretty active atheist, which I generally restrict to debates/discussions online. I have engaged with some people on this website about religion so many of you will know I have pretty firm views. Hence why I am testing the waters on here to see if people irl will be as bothered about this issue as I am.

So, for the first time I feel motivated irl to try and make people aware of something that is happening in my local town. (Small, market town in the south of England, pretty boring by all accounts but we like it).

My DD has recently come home from school having spoken to some classmates who are attending a (relatively) new church group in the area. They are very keen on recruiting from the school and encouraging the older children who attend to convince the younger ones to start going to their youth groups, summer sports events etc.

The issue with this is their beliefs are at the very extreme end of the Christian sphere, we are talking young earth creationism, biblical literalism etc. Some of the older children have openly challenged the schools biology teachers about evolution etc. They have apparently been encouraged to do so by their parents. The group are very insular and once in encourage members to not interact with non-members for any reason other than recruitment or challenging 'secularism'.

I'm not any kind of atheism activist, but this kind of stuff crosses a line for me. Religious belief and church attendance is one thing, but active recruitment of the young under the guise of 'summer activities' is quite another, especially with the emphasis being on scientific denialism and speaking in tongues etc. (All imported direct from the US, as I'm sure you already figured out, but it was confirmed for me when I researched their church online)

If you someone made you aware of this activity happening in your children's school, how would you feel?

[pennycarbonara]

Worth speaking to the governors about? If it's a religious school they probably wouldn't want other denominations proselytising heavily, and if it isn't they could perhaps introduce some kind of general rule about it.

[PaulRuddislush]

I'm a Christian and this would appall me. God gave us free will to choose our belief in Him.
Fwiw my dc and dh are atheists.

[AssassinatedBeauty]

I would be very unhappy at children being used to recruit other children. I would hope the school would also not be that thrilled with it either. I might speak to the head/governors and ask them what their feelings are about this, making my thoughts known at the same time.

[LighthouseSouth]

OP "active recruitment of the young under the guise of 'summer activities' is quite another, especially with the emphasis being on scientific denialism and speaking in tongues etc"

is that something Trading Standards can help with? It might sound odd but my thinking is that as a parent, you send them thinking it's a summer activity type thing and get something else altogether....so is that the route to take?

[Racecardriver]

Just teach your chldren to challenge back? Children aren't intellectual limpets. Surely this is an excellent opportunity to learn how to challenge extremist beliefs in a rational and respectful way?

[TheQueef]

Not the Jesus Army is it?

[PatriarchyPersonified]

So I personally haven't approached the school, but my friends have because of their DD's experience.

Essentially she befriended a girl in her form group who invited her to a 'service', so she went with her parents blessing in order to cement a new friendship. (They knew it would be religious in some way but weren't particularly bothered.) Their DD ending up being part of a group prayer session (20-30 ppl) wailing and shouting out in tongues, before receiving a lecture on how evolution is a 'wicked lie' etc. You get the picture.

The school have said its nothing to do with them as there is no official recruitment taking place, just children talking to other children on breaks etc.

[PatriarchyPersonified]

I'm absolutely gobsmacked that in this country, in a quiet town, we have this kind of thing taking root.

I'm sure its not representative of the country at large, but still, it's incredibly disturbing.

I'm considering doing some kind of awareness for the wider community about this particular organisation, however I'm obviously trying to skirt the fine line of not coming across as a raving anti-religious zealot...

(I readily accept that I come across like that online, because I probably am one, but online and real life are very different places)

[TopShagger]

I'm an atheist and anti-theist. I wouldn't call my self an activist as such because there's very little to be 'active' about round here. But online I am. That doesn't make me a keyboard warrior, it's just the only realistic way to engage with others (who want to) on these topics.

With regards what you're talking about, it's definitely a problem due to the completely dishonest tactics they're employing to gain recruits. If it were me, I would definitely be taking someone to task over it, publicly. Manipulating children to further a cause is not cricket. But it's unfortunately quite common, especially with religious motivation behind it.

[Movablefeast]

I am Catholic and you are absolutely right to say that this group of Christians is on the extreme fringe with their beliefs. I would definitely have concerns, especially about the denial and demonization of science and the coercion and spiritual manipulation that appears to be going on.

I wonder if you might approach your local vicar or Catholic priest or any minister from a local established congregation to discuss the best ways this could be approached. I think they would share your concerns and might have ideas of the ways and means of approaching the schools, parents and this local group.

[Bluebell878275]

I'm a Christian and was brought up around the 'happy-clappy' type of Church. This sort of sect makes me embarrassed though - I wouldn't be happy with what you are describing.

[nocoolnamesleft]

I'm a Christian. I'd be appalled.

[LaDilettante]

It reminds me of this documentary called Jesus Camp: www.imdb.com/title/tt0486358/. The way they manipulate the kids and indoctrinate them is borderline abusive. They also dangerously veer towards a right-wing ideology with talks of getting ready to ‘take back America for Christ’. I wouldn’t be surprised if this local group started going down that route, especially in this political climate. I think you’re right to want to bring this to the attention of your local community.

[cornflakegirl]

I honestly wouldn't overly worry about it. It doesn't sound like they are very subtle in their methods if the first service your friends' daughter went to involved praying in tongues and a sermon on evolution. If the children don't like the services, or think that the leaders are talking rubbish, then they won't want to go back. It doesn't sound like anything directly harmful is going on.

I imagine that word will get round fairly quickly that invitations should be turned down.

[Theknacktoflying]

If what you are describing is right and if there was an Muslim rather than a ‘Christian’ slant the police and community would be all over this like a rash!

I would go to the school - talk to them about child protection and even the NCPCC - about radicalisation ...

[pennycarbonara]

What about going to the local paper, if you feel you could deal with the publicity and recognisability?

[NewYearNewMe18]

IS this in the UK ?

[specialsubject]

I also immediately thought that if the group were Muslim this would be stopped. These superstitious primitives peddling intolerance and ignorance also need to be stopped.

[AssassinatedBeauty]

It's ok for children who are not vulnerable to be able to refuse an invitation or to not return after one prayer meeting. The reason why school should be concerned is because vulnerable children will not always be in a position to reject this, and they should be protected from cults whilst in school.

Has this kind of recruiting invitation happened several time @PatriarchyPersonified ?

[Millybingbong]

I don't really see what the problem is? Dom children are talking to other children about their religious beliefs and inviting them to religious services / activities.

Surely if you don't want your child to go you tell your child they can't? What do you fear?

[ChaffyMcChaff]

Oh my god @LaDilettante ...that's some scary shit going down in 'Jesus Camp' 😱. I only watched the trailer, but bloody hell!!! 😢🤬😢

[Cismyass]

Why would you be shocked by this OP? Having travelled extensively within GB i can assure most small towns are teeming with weirdos and odd goings on.

[PatriarchyPersonified]

Assassinated I'm not sure how long it's been going on for, I've only just become aware but others have apparently know about it for a bit.

Everyone saying 'just leave it, if they don't like it they won't keep going' are missing the point. Recruiting the vulnerable into a support system that makes them feel good about themselves, while disconnecting them from the outside so they become more reliant over time is exactly how these groups operate in the US, and now it's over here.

This is how all these kind of things start, because people assume it's just a group of cranks, nobody will fall for it etc etc.

I might go down the papers route, again not sure I want to deal with the publicity of it though.

[PatriarchyPersonified]

And to think a few months ago I was worried about the Gideon's turning up at the same school handing out bibles. I should have saved myself the energy!

[Katescurios]

It's not The Twelve Tribes is it? I read about them a while ago, they've been in Devon for years and usually segregate their children by homeschooling.