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* UPDATED x1 * Today’s “prayer request”

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Urgent Prayer Request
Written By Kathy Valente

HB 2675 would expose children to sexually inappropriate material in the name of sex education. The bill could be called for a vote as early as this afternoon or anytime during the next ten days in the Senate. It appears the votes are there for passage. This is very serious.

Please join us in calling out to God, asking for His mercy and protection for children.

Our children’s innocence is truly at stake here. Exposing young children to sexually explicit material and assuming they already are or will be sexually active, will only encourage early sexual experimentation ultimately changing the course of their lives. The bill targets children starting at age 11.

Please join us in praying that God would stop this bill.

Pray:

* God would hold this bill back between now and when the General Assembly adjourns on Friday, May 31st.
* God would convict those “undecided” that this is not in the best interest of children.
* Lawmakers would realize that schools already have the option of choosing this type of sex ed curriculum and do not need another mandate.
* Lawmakers would realize this very sensitive issue is best left to parents and local school officials.
* Lawmakers would realize that sexual purity should be desired, valued and encouraged in the schools.
* We are also asking God to forgive the corporate Church for its apathy towards this volatile issue and others that have contributed to the erosion of our culture.

God gave us the solution to the insurmountable problems we face.

…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Scripture indicates how important children are to Him and the penalty for causing them to sin. We firmly believe that God can stop and wants to stop this bill. But it’s up to us as His people.

…with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

Pray also for these following senators who are uncommitted on HB 2675:

Pam Althoff (R-McHenry)

Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago)

Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey)

Michael Hastings (D-Matteson)

Mike Jacobs (D-Moline)

Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago)

Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford)

Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago)

*** UPDATE *** The bill passed. Offered without comment…

A proposal that revamps sex education in Illinois public schools to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases has cleared the state Senate.

Current state law says sex education should focus on abstinence as the “expected norm.” Schools can opt out of teaching sex education altogether.

The bill senators approved Wednesday says sex education curriculum would still stress abstinence but include information on protection and STDs. Districts would still have the option of not teaching sex education and parents could chose to opt out their children.

Senators voted 37 to 21. The House approved it last month and a spokeswoman says Gov. Pat Quinn supports it.

The roll call is here. Sen. Althoff voted “No.” Everyone else on the above list voted “Yes.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:05 pm

Comments

That’s fine. Just pray. Don’t contact your reps, organize, or anything. Just keep praying. Yep, that will work.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:09 pm
LOL, and some people actually give these guys money.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:13 pm
I understand where the IFI is coming from, but they are arguing against the acquisition of knowledge about biology and how the human body works.

Not trying to be mean, but other, more powerful forces have tried to prevent the acquisition of knowledge and failed. I’m not sure how they think they’re going to prevail, and I mean that in the widest possible sense.

Comment by Colossus Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:17 pm
Wow. Does the Bible tell us to leave our fate in the hands of others?

Comment by Mongo Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:21 pm
The Senate is debating the bill right now. I guess God didn’t listen to them.

Comment by Bluefish Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:21 pm
First of all, sex education in and of itself doesn’t cause people to go out and have sex. Second, it’s naive to say that telling kids to be abstinent is the end all be all. That should be the primary message, however, kids should also know other things. They aren’t being taught to have sex for crying out loud. That being said, parents can opt their children out of this type of stuff. I opted my son out of a class that I felt was too much for his age (he is only in 4th grade).

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:22 pm
does she own a rattlesnake also?

Comment by railrat Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:22 pm
–* We are also asking God to forgive the corporate Church for its apathy towards this volatile issue and others that have contributed to the erosion of our culture. –

What’s the corporate Church?

If the bill passes, will the IFI humbly accept God’s answer to their prayers? Or do they keep lobbying the almighty.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:24 pm
How about if I just pray for you to keep your religious zealotry out of my government.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:28 pm
What’s the corporate Church

That means the “body of the Church”. That is, the people who are in the church. Corpus == body in Latin.

Comment by Pat C Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:40 pm
I pray these people find something worthwhile to do with their lives!

Comment by Nickypiii Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:43 pm
I talked with a man in his mid-20s who had never–not in elementary or secondary school, not in college, and not by his parents–been taught how condoms could be used properly. It was obvious based on his comments that his understanding of their use was incorrect and, had he put it into action, could have put himself and his partner at risk. Scared the heck out of me. He may not have found the right partner yet, but relatively few young people wait until their 20s these days. The fact that he could’ve made it well into sexual maturity w/o this knowledge is scary, and not in his interest or his partner’s.

Comment by Frustrated Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:46 pm
Meh. To each their own.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:54 pm
doesn’t the bill mandate that abstinence be stated as the only 100% way to ensure against pregnancy and studs? but that teaching about methods to avoid pregnancy and disease should also be taught? and that the “kids” are 6th through 12 graders, in other words, those who will be directly affected by the topic in their immediate lives? news flash to the Family Institute, 11 year olds need to understand the science of reproduction and how to guard against problems.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:55 pm
In regards to issuing prayer requests, that is.

Not to the subject of the legislation.

Let people issue prayer requests if they want. Definitely seen wackier ones than this over the years.

Especially in places like Texas.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:56 pm
Well, what do you know, my prayers were answered!

Senate Third Reading - Passed; 037-021-000

5/22/2013 Passed Both Houses

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 1:58 pm
My imaginary friend says to vote yes. We win.

Comment by Bowner Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 2:01 pm
If we were Kathy we think we would be asking God to turn off the tornado season or may teach the Jesuits and other clergy to follow the same rules enforced on school bus drivers when they see a pervert dial 9-1-1
Either makes more sense

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 2:03 pm
God either doesn’t answer prayers, or supports comprehensive sex ed. Which one?

Congrats on passing comprehensive sex ed! #DadsForSexEd

Comment by dave Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 2:09 pm
Religion is a lot like sausage. Most everybody likes the taste, but they don’t want to know how either is made. Having been in the belly of the religion beast and have made sausage, I prefer sausage. Some of the meanest and most cruel people I know are in the religion industry.

Politics is bad enough without injecting religion.

That being said, sex ed has been around for a long time. When I was in high school 40 years ago, it was called “Health” class and was part of the Phys. Ed. department.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 2:14 pm
Since Althoff is the only one who went along with the IFI’s wishes, it looks like they have a 12.5% return on investment for their prayers. That’s not too good.

Comment by train111 Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 2:15 pm
–God either doesn’t answer prayers–

How do you know the prayers weren’t answered. Sometimes the answer is “no.”

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 2:20 pm
Um, note to IFI: this legislation is not going to put your children’s “innocence at stake.” By the 6th grade, kids already know a LOT. I don’t know what 6th grade kids are reading now, but when I was in 6th grade (late 70s), all of the girls in my class, including me, had already read Judy Blume’s book “Forever” by the time the girls and boys were separated into groups and “taught” the facts of life by our teachers.

Comment by ??? Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 2:29 pm
Religion, guns and politics served this morning. Drugs, booze, gambling and rock ‘n’ roll served this afternoon.

You can get anything you want at Rich’s Restaurant. LOL

Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 2:29 pm
Loved the first request, that God hold the bill between now and adjournment. Wished for the same help on a couple of issues this session, and unfortunately got the same response. Nope!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 2:34 pm
Do you know what happens when you don’t teach kids about sex? Babies.

Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 2:38 pm
I’m not someone who most would label as being particularly religious, because I seldom attend church–only because I experienced some “politics” in church as a child that me question the how the churches’ teachings were being applied to our actions as individuals. However, I believe in God and the strength of prayer.

Having said that, many do whatever good they can as they best know how. If this group believes that their solutions are grounded in prayer and faith, and that perhaps, God helps out everyone in a while by getting some “publicity” for their cause without going to extremes to obtain it themselves, then who am I to judge why they have chosen the methods they have or their success rate?

They’re doing what they can, which is still more than some.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 2:49 pm
Illinois Family Institute position without the ridicule from the lefties in government and media:

http://illinoisfamily.org/education/warning-comprehensive-sex-ed-returning-to-springfield/

Comment by Liberty First Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 3:01 pm
So how does it work when some people pray for a bill’s passage and others pray for its defeat? Does god count votes - or are some people more effective at praying than others?

Comment by Waldi Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 3:14 pm
=== How do you know the prayers weren’t answered. Sometimes the answer is “no.” ===

@wordslinger very well said.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 3:19 pm
Considering the quality of the debate usually had on this blog, this thread is absolutely mind-boggling to me. The issue is sex education and people seem more interested in questioning faith. I can’t help but wonder what that means, though I’m not going to spend much time on it, only because I’m certain of where I stand on both and on these two matters, no one is going to change my mind.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 3:29 pm
Awesome. They can pray and I’ll call my legislators.

Comment by Don Gwinn Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 3:30 pm
I’ve always believed (generally) that “it takes all kinds,” Mr. Gwinn, which often results in “the more, the merrier” and “every little bit helps” whichever “side” one takes.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 3:42 pm
===The issue is sex education===

Anonymous, The IFI turned the debate from sex education to religion.

===* God would convict those “undecided” that this is not in the best interest of children.===

This seems to me like a ‘hellfire and brimstone’ sermon line.

Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 3:43 pm
Prayers are not answered when the response isn’t what you wanted.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 3:47 pm
=Anonymous, The IFI turned the debate from sex education to religion.=

Moderate, one can choose to participate within the new context–or not. Also, one can choose to ridicule–or not. Me, personally, I see no value in the latter. Emotionally, because I have a generally tendency to defend those who are ridiculed. Logically, I try to only engage in battles that are important to me, and when engaged, try to find the most effective way to meet my objectives by causing as little harm to others as possible. And I’ve found that “ridicule” is usually ineffective and only causes sometimes lasting harm and bad feelings, though…sometimes unintentionally.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 3:55 pm
Liberty First, that page is deceptive from the jump.

“Myth: Republicans support abstinence education but Democrats don’t.

Reality: Almost 8 out of 10 Democratic parents support abstinence education.”

There’s an abstinence component in comprehensive sex ed, and most parents are fine with that. What most parents don’t support is abstinence-only education, which is what the IFI is pushing.

Comment by TooManyJens Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 4:04 pm
Having that District rejection policy alternative available, and especially the parental opt-out clause was/is critical, and although I agree that the clear majority of children at age 11 would NOT need such education, the sad reality is that there are a significant number of kids who start sexual activity during the onset and even before adolescence, and the obvious hope is that by teaching them the hard facts in 6th or 7th grade will reDUCE sexual mishaps and mistakes down the road for them…!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 4:17 pm
Guessing IFI got God’s andwering machine

Comment by DocNoyes Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 4:30 pm
I just love these persons who feel perfectly comfortable speaking on behalf of God. Not.

Comment by kimocat Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 4:41 pm
Thank you Liberty for the IFI link.

Their own site misrepresents what the bill says, claiming that schools will not be able to opt out. Easy way to rile up the base in outrage: just overstate what the bill actually does.

Oh, let’s relish our victimhood!

My initial read on “Corporate church” was as a reference to Roman Catholic and other large historical denominations. “Only us recently saved and reborn are true Christians.”

I could be wrong, and this reading might be unfair.

Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 6:09 pm
Sex Ed. with my 8th Grade Health teacher was enough to tamp down even the most raging hormones. She was a walking, talking advertisement for abstinence.

Ignorance is never a good thing, and by that age, they better be taught what’s what or there’s trouble coming down the line.

Obviously, if you’re teaching how best to avoid pregnancy or STD, abstinence is the only sure thing. But given the natural order of things, it’s best to let kids know sooner rather than later some backup for when the hormones kick in.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 6:16 pm
As was said in The Americans- There’s been a misunderstanding between you and your god.

Comment by Will Caskey Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 6:34 pm
I have been coaching youth football for over 8 years. Every year the sex/drug/alcohol questions come up from some player. Single parents, parochial school, rich/poor. Pick what ever social category you want. Abstinence may be the preferred topic, but the questions we have gotten often go far beyond that. A blunt question gets a blunt answer with a discussion of responsibility, effects of behavior, and a suggestion to talk with parents. Amazing numbers of kids say that last part could not happen. Just a process that is thousands of years old.

Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, May 22, 13 @ 9:21 pm
Sex education that doesn’t include information on how to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases is like driver ed programs that never mention defensive driving techniques.

Comment by David P. Graf Thursday, May 23, 13 @ 3:42 pm