Christian FIRST Group

[anna~marie]

Thanks so much for bringing this up on CD.
I've discussed the idea with many people I know but they have seemed noncommittal. I've always wondered why there wasn't a Christian FIRST group and was always thinking of a way to get one started.
So, on that note, I'd love to be involved!

[Jack Jones]

Originally Posted by Steve W

I will at this time close this thread. We do have guidelines on what is acceptable on CD. I believe that this discussion on religion should be closed temporarily to allow things to cool down. When reopened please only discuss the original thought not what is derived from someones post. The question was, quote:

I am not sure how many people would be interested in this but i was just wondering a few things? With the growing numbers in FIRST i have seen an increasing number of Christian FIRSTers. This has given me and Mike of 340 the idea of doing a couple things

1)praying before regionals (just gathering off to the side of the field. Anyone who wants to participate can)

2)possibly organizing the Christians in FIRST into some type of group or even just gathering(suggestions on this would be awesome) thats all we have right now but we are open to suggestions!!


Please do not go off the topic or it will need to be closed again. I will attempt to reopen in 24 hours.

Steve,

Define "off topic".
Is it your edict that the "topic" is limited to the two bullets you selected from the original post? Or is the part you omitted also open to discussion? - which was:

p.s. if i have done something wrong here or offended anyone we are sorry and please just let us know, but we believe the Lord is calling us to get the Lord's word out!

As to the Postscript: I believe that FIRST should be, and is, a diverse organization. We members should not, and do not, exclude anyone because of race, religion, national origin, etc. If some want to form groups to celebrate their common interests, then I'm all for it. However, if the praying off to the side of the field is an attempt on their part to get the Lord's word out, then that makes the rest of us participants. If it is toward us that the word is aimed, or it is we that the word has gotten to, then we would be perfectly within "our rights" to ask them to cut it out.

I doubt the RCU was formed to encourage me to turn female. Nor do I think Ed's proposed African-American group would expect me to convert. But Christians in FIRST holding services next to the field would be an affront to my chunk of diversity.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by Jack Jones

I doubt the RCU was formed to encourage me to turn female. Nor do I think Ed's proposed African-American group would expect me to convert. But Christians in FIRST holding services next to the field would be an affront to my chunk of diversity.

This is a great point.

We are bound together, being brothers and sisters in FIRST. While we have this bond, we are also diverse. For many, this may be the first time they interact closely with people in a different religion, race or culture.

Obviously, we must repect each other and these differing beliefs. I think that this diversity within FIRST combined with the bond that keeps up passionate about the support and growth of FIRST is one of the important things that keeps this program strong.

I suggest that we continue to support this diversity, as we learn to be better people through this process. At the same time, we should not expect to convert people to become what they are not. We can just communicate the efforts of these organizations, and people can choose to seek more information if they wish.

A good example of this sort of support and communication happened in 2005 when the Jewish Seder was promoted in Atlanta. This effort was done in a non-threatening and mature way, and many people participated.

While we discuss this stuff, let's keep our heads on straight. Open your eyes and look around you. Let's celebrate our common goal while accepting our differences.

Andy Baker

[Steve W]

Originally Posted by Jack Jones

Steve,

Define "off topic".
Is it your edict that the "topic" is limited to the two bullets you selected from the original post? Or is the part you omitted also open to discussion? - which was:

As to the Postscript: I believe that FIRST should be, and is, a diverse organization. We members should not, and do not, exclude anyone because of race, religion, national origin, etc. If some want to form groups to celebrate their common interests, then I'm all for it. However, if the praying off to the side of the field is an attempt on their part to get the Lord's word out, then that makes the rest of us participants. If it is toward us that the word is aimed, or it is we that the word has gotten to, then we would be perfectly within "our rights" to ask them to cut it out.

I doubt the RCU was formed to encourage me to turn female. Nor do I think Ed's proposed African-American group would expect me to convert. But Christians in FIRST holding services next to the field would be an affront to my chunk of diversity.

Jack I am not here to be controversial. I do want people to be able to voice opinions. I also know that this is a sensitive topic. What I would like to see is a calm discussion without slamming from either side. Heated discussions on this topic can blow up real fast. The points that you made in this post are valid and to the point. I did not find them to be against what is requested. Please continue to discuss and keep level heads.

[KenWittlief]

the freedom to assemble and the freedom to associate with whom ever you choose are two of the fundamental rights that we believe all humans are entitled to.

You dont need anyones permission to form a sub-group with people in FIRST who share common interests or ideas or philosophies or religious beliefs, just as you did not need permission from your church to join a FIRST team.

There must be thousands of Christians involved with FIRST. The idea that somehow they must all be kept separated at FIRST events would be absurd :^)

If you feel that associating or organizing gatherings with other FIRST people who share a particular common interest would result in a positive outcome, then go for it!

[Jeremiah Johnson]

I can support the forming of this group, as long as no one is excluded and it is not ugraciously promoted. I don't want to be handed a pamphlet, although being Christian in nature, and told that this is an awesome thing. If I were Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, ect ect and handed a pamphlet to join this, I would be mildly offended but would accept that it's just human nature. Of course, not everyone shares the same thought process as me. Some people aren't open-minded and that has to be accepted and taken into account when forming such group. You might get some heckling about it, what will you do about that?

Does this have to vocal prayer? Why not include all faiths in this and have an offsite religious gathering? The basis of which the people have time, together, to pray as a group about the same thing but to their own religious guidelines. Why does it have to be exclusive to Christianity?

There are multiple affiliations around the country that hold prayers at schools and such. I'm familiar with one, ROCK, Reaching Our Campus for the King. My brother just joined and I was not a big fan of it because I don't believe religion belongs in schools. However, religion can coincide with school and FIRST. Just don't make it exclusive to one religion, that's all that I ask.

[Dylan Gramlich]

I am not saying that there can only be a christian group. But i am just simply suggesting the idea, generating ideas, and seeing who would be willing to support the idea. If anyone would like to form another group including a different religion they can but this is just one idea others and myself have discussed.

[sheepgirl115]

This is a great idea! As a member of a team where every student is a Christian, I am delighted that such a group would be in FIRST. Thank you guys for bringing this up.

[Mike Starke]

Hey all, this is Mike from 340.
First off, we don't want to offend anyone, and anything I'm going to say now, or anytime in the future is not meant to be offensive in any way. I'm not angry in anyway, I just want to discuss this in an "adult-like manner".

Originally Posted by Cory

Isn't that what churches are for? FIRST is about robots.

Having common interests is what brings people together no matter where you go. That's how people make, and keep friends. FIRST is an awesome organization that has been bringing people together since it started! I think I read a post once about the first marriage between two people that met through FIRST.
What Dylan and I are going for is to use FIRST as a way to communicate to other FIRSTers about the love that the Lord has for them (To be clear, I'm not saying this is our sole purpose for participating in FIRST). If we asked people to come to church with us, not a lot of people would. So we're using a more comfortable environment to talk about God with them. We feel that this is a much better, more effective way of doing this.

I hope this helps... please let us know if you have anymore questions or comments!

-Mike

[Koko Ed]

A group of peers who have similar interest should not be a source of controversy especially if they are doing ti off to the side among st themselves not bothering anyone.
Say, I wanted to start a FIRST group for African-Americans that address the concerns and needs of African-Americans in FIRST. I would certainly hope no one would get upset by that because it fills a need. Just like this group would.

[JoeXIII'007]

Originally Posted by Dylan Gramlich

I am not sure how many people would be interested in this but i was just wondering a few things? With the growing numbers in FIRST i have seen an increasing number of Christian FIRSTers. This has given me and Mike of 340 the idea of doing a couple things

1)praying before regionals (just gathering off to the side of the field. Anyone who wants to participate can)

2)possibly organizing the Christians in FIRST into some type of group or even just gathering(suggestions on this would be awesome)

thats all we have right now but we are open to suggestions!!

p.s. if i have done something wrong here or offended anyone we are sorry and please just let us know, but we believe the Lord is calling us to get the Lord's word out!

1. Private prayer is a wonderful idea. Just as long as it isn't over a loudspeaker. God can hear people clearly enough.

2. Cool idea, might be useful to start it in myspace or something like that (chain e-mail).

As far as I am concerned, as long as it begins and remains an option and nothing more (ex: Its less of an option if somebody declines the offer and gets a look of even minor dissent, or when offered it is offered in a way that yes is apparently the only answer), its OK.

I personally think for people like me, who once went to church on a regular basis but then due to other callings had to just read the bible and soak in as much as possible, a prayer at/before a regional would be a major spiritual booster, morale boost, etc. Fantastic idea.

-Joe

[Nate Smith]

Originally Posted by JoeXIII'007

1. Private prayer is a wonderful idea. Just as long as it isn't over a loudspeaker. God can hear people clearly enough.

2. Cool idea, might be useful to start it in myspace or something like that (chain e-mail).

As far as I am concerned, as long as it begins and remains an option and nothing more (ex: Its less of an option if somebody declines the offer and gets a look of even minor dissent, or when offered it is offered in a way that yes is apparently the only answer), its OK.

I personally think for people like me, who once went to church on a regular basis but then due to other callings had to just read the bible and soak in as much as possible, a prayer at/before a regional would be a major spiritual booster, morale boost, etc. Fantastic idea.

-Joe

I can't commit the time right now to actually get anything set up, but if there is someone who wanted to set up a web site for this purpose, I would be willing to provide web hosting space off of my company's hosting plan. If someone wants to register a domain for this and then contact me, I can provide them with the information to do the redirect into the space that I set aside.

[GRaduns340]

I also support this idea in that it would be a great way to form a community within FIRST. That's one of the things that I've liked about FIRST, that we can meet new people that share our interests. This is no different in my opinion, and I like the idea of being able to meet with other believers. It would certainly be a great encouragement to some of the Christian FIRSTers who else here is with them in their belief. Great idea, Mike and Dylan.

Originally Posted by Nate Smith

I can't commit the time right now to actually get anything set up, but if there is someone who wanted to set up a web site for this purpose, I would be willing to provide web hosting space off of my company's hosting plan. If someone wants to register a domain for this and then contact me, I can provide them with the information to do the redirect into the space that I set aside.

I am the webmaster for Team 340. I am also working on starting up some business selling sites, so I have some server space available to me as well, but I don't have access to many domains on that space. I could create a site and host it there long enough to do some work on it, then transfer it over. I'd probably need to know the restrictions of the space, though. For example, PHP and MySQL enabled? Space (probably a non-issue)? If you'd like to talk about that, I'd be glad to see what I can get started. I'm on AIM, MSN, ICQ, and Yahoo, so it's virtually impossible not to find an IM that I don't have if you want to talk about that, or just e-mail me, which might be easier with my schedule.

[Steve W]

I am re opening the thread. After much consideration I have edited the first post to be discussed as follows:

Originally Posted by Dylan Gramlich

1)praying before regionals ( Anyone who wants to participate can)

2)possibly organizing the Christians in FIRST into some type of group or even just gathering(suggestions on this would be awesome)

Please respond to only the above questions and no more discussions on wording or interpretations of what has been said previous. The intent of the poster (my interpretation after PMs) is that they were looking for suggestions on how to meet, where to meet and if it was even possible. There have been other meetings discussed here on CD and they were allowed. The issue is that the original poster was not quite as savvy on how to post without striking at peoples nerves. Sometimes we all say something without understanding the full impact of what we say (YES even me). It is a learning curve that we all must go through. Please be patient and tolerant of all posters here on CD and help them without attacking.

Legal jargon:

This is a free message brought to you by one of the moderators of Chief Delphi. The comments made here are the sole responsibility of the poster and may not represent those of Chief Delphi, its sponsors or others in authority.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Steve W

I am re opening the thread. After much consideration I have edited the first post to be discussed as follows:



Please respond to only the above questions and no more discussions on wording or interpretations of what has been said previous. The intent of the poster (my interpretation after PMs) is that they were looking for suggestions on how to meet, where to meet and if it was even possible. There have been other meetings discussed here on CD and they were allowed. The issue is that the original poster was not quite as savvy on how to post without striking at peoples nerves. Sometimes we all say something without understanding the full impact of what we say (YES even me). It is a learning curve that we all must go through. Please be patient and tolerant of all posters here on CD and help them without attacking.

Legal jargon:

This is a free message brought to you by one of the moderators of Chief Delphi. The comments made here are the sole responsibility of the poster and may not represent those of Chief Delphi, its sponsors or others in authority.

What more is there to be said that hasn't already been said?
This thread should just stay closed or else it'll just end up closed by the end of the day anyways.