A Biblical Perspective on Sex Trafficking

It is important to recognize that while sex trafficking is not a new issue, the world at the time of Scripture did not deal with this issue as individuals do now. Therefore, there are no Scriptures that clearly condemn sex trafficking, but there are many Scriptures that condemn the kind of twisted sexual practices seen in trafficking situations and a clear command for God’s people to seek justice for the vulnerable. Deuteronomy 22:22-29, Isaiah 58:6-10, Micah 6:6-8, and James 1:27 are amongst many examples of texts that communicate these messages.

Deuteronomy 22:22-29 is perhaps the most direct yet initially difficult passage, which makes it a good starting place. Still, to grasp what this passage is communicating will take some time so hang in there with me. Here it goes: “If a man is found lying with the wife of another man, both of them shall die, the man who lay with the woman, and the woman. So you shall purge the evil from Israel. If there is a betrothed virgin, and a man meets her in the city and lies with her, then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones, the young woman because she did not cry for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbor's wife. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. But if in the open country a man meets a young woman who is betrothed, and the man seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die. But you shall do nothing to the young woman; she has committed no offense punishable by death. For this case is like that of a man attacking and murdering his neighbor, because he met her in the open country, and though the betrothed young woman cried for help there was no one to rescue her. If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he has violated her. He may not divorce her all his days" (Deuteronomy 22:22-29, ESV).

Deuteronomy 22:22-29 gives the Israelites instructions for what to do when a married woman has sex with another man, an engaged woman and a man have sex, an engaged woman is raped by a man, or a man rapes a woman who is not betrothed. It is important to understand that while the punishments and language surrounding these instructions may seem odd to modern day readers Moses is not writing to modern day readers. If Moses were writing to modern readers, he would give different instructions that better fit the context of today’s society.

The first two potential scenarios when read as they appear in the text may sound like the woman is being condemned unreasonably for her involvement but it seems as though the woman willingly had an affair with the man (Clements, R.E., 1998, 456). Block also said “the specified punishment suggests the act was consensual” (2012, 525). The final two scenarios seem to address when a woman is raped, especially since the situations between scenarios two and three are otherwise nearly the same (Clements, R.E., 1998, 456). The notable difference between scenarios two and three is the part about the woman crying out. In the town the residents would have lived very close to one another and in the second scenario “since no one heard the woman’s cry for help, it is assumed she did not cry out, which suggests the sexual act was consensual” (Block, D.I., 2012, 525). The full and severe punishment against the woman was only to be in effect when the woman did not cry out but easily could have and was acting willingly (Clements, R.E., 1998, 456). This is why the consequences between scenarios two and three are very different.

As Moses writes to the Israelites, he says the penalty for sleeping with a virgin is to marry her (Deuteronomy 22:28-29). This may seem like a horrible fate for the woman to live with as she is forced to live with the man who forced himself upon her but what Moses is focused on here is that the man must right the wrong he has done by paying the bride price and caring for her forever (Kalland, E.S., 1992, 139). While the exact specific procedures involved with such cases may not be relevant to today’s culture, the message remains the same. When someone is sexually abused by another, the abused have not sinned. They have been wronged. In the patriarchal society of Moses’ day this meant part of righting the wrong was by paying her father for her if she was not betrothed, since the sin would have seen as being done against the family. Today it would be understood that the sin was primarily done against her but her community is also affected. Victims deserve justice and to be cared for. This is hinted at here even though the focus seems to be on the family. On the other hand, the abusers should also both act justly and receive justice for their wrongdoing.

Another passage which speaks to the importance of God’s people being a community of justice is Isaiah 58:6-10. “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday" (ESV).

Grogan said the questions the Lord asks in verses 6 and 7 following those of verse 5 where the people ask questions related to religious acts “serve to point out the people’s separation of religious observance and social righteousness, a theme the 8th century prophets never tired of expounding” (1986, 323). Their fasting had become about showing up others rather than about abandoning themselves but “God calls for behavior that is self-forgetful and outward-looking” (Oswalt, J.N., 2003, 625).

Here they are taught that freeing and helping are acceptable forms of worship (Watts, J.D.W., 1987, 272). The Lord specifies three acts which are related to the needs of the time (Watts, J.D.W., 1987, 274). God’s people could not change the whole oppressive system themselves but the Lord does not let them off the hook because they were still called to do justice however they could. Watts said “God’s people were and are intended to promote freedom” because “all forms of bondage are distasteful to God, whether economic, political, or social” (1987, 275). Sex trafficking is clearly a form of bondage thus it must eliminated.

The next few verses communicate the idea that when this kind of active, other-oriented faith is demonstrated the light of God’s people shall “break forth like dawn” (Isaiah 58:8, ESV) and the Lord will answer their calls. Grogan said the final concluding verse of this passage suggests “social concern is not just to be seen in an isolated episode but it is to be a way of life for God’s people. We are to spend not just our money but ourselves” (1986, 323). This need to give up one’s self for the sake of another still exists today while individuals continue to live in oppressive, impoverished systems such as those which promote sex trafficking.

Micah, another prophet active in the same context and some of the same time period as Isaiah, had a similar message for God’s people and shared that clearly in Micah 6:6-8. “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (ESV)

In the first part of this passage, the people ask the Lord what kind of sacrifices He desires but he responds “what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, ESV). These three commands God gives are still in effect today. God’s command for justice implies movement because justice is something to be done (Simundson, 1996, 580). Simundson said “this is a dynamic concept that calls on God’s people to work for fairness and equality for all, particularly for the weak and the powerless who are exploited by others” (1996, 580). McComiskey said “‘to love mercy’ is to freely and willingly show kindness to others” (1985, 436). To walk humbly with God means to exhibit both obedience and humility (Deane, 1950, 88). Deane said “to walk with God is to make it our fixed purpose and determination to live to him, to devote ourselves to his service” (1950, 93). Relative to trafficking, these commands suggest believers fight for justice for them and show them mercy and kindness, especially since they are a group which is largely without a voice.

Finally, James 1:27 says “religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (ESV). Burdick said this verse teaches that “genuine religion is a life-changing force” (1981, 176). These actions James advocates for are not to be empty ones though, as the other prophets would also say. They “must spring from an inner spiritual reality that expresses itself in love to others and holiness before God” (Burdick, D.P., 1981, 176). True faith “shows its authenticity by giving gifts to the needy in the same way God gives them to all creatures” because giving gifts to others is a natural reaction when there is a deep understanding of the way God blesses and gives life to all (Johnson, L.T., 1998, 189).

In many ways, James continues the themes of the prophets regarding true religion, justice, and compassion (Nystrom, D.P., 1997, 97). One significant thing James does is that he identifies two particular groups that demanded the immediate attention of the Christian community: widows and orphans. This is because widows and orphans were considered “emblematic of all groups open to exploitation” (Nystrom, D.P., 1997, 97). While widows and orphans are still vulnerable groups, trafficked women could easily be added to the list of the most vulnerable individuals across the globe today. Another element which is relevant to the conversation of sex trafficking is James’ point about not being polluted by the world. Even “Christians” engage in trafficking to some degree or in some form sometimes but this verse and others clearly speak against such evil worldly engagement.

These are just four of many verses that could be chosen that relate to this topic. What these passages teach believers is that God’s people are called to do justice, care for the most vulnerable and oppressed, and pay attention to the broken realities of sexual sin.

Sources

Block, D.I. (2012). Deuteronomy. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Burdick, D.W. (1981). “James.” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Volume 12. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Clements, R.E. (1998). “Deuteronomy.” The New Interpreter’s Bible: Volume 2. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Deane, W.J. (1950). “Micah.” The Pulpit Commentary: Volume 14. Grand Rapids, MI: W.M. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Grogan, G.W. (1986). “Isaiah.” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Volume 6. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Johnson, L.T. (1998). “James.” The New Interpreter’s Bible: Volume 12. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Kalland, E.S. (1992). “Deuteronomy.” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Volume 3. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
McComiskey, Thomas. (1985). The Expositor’s Commentary: Volume 7. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Nystrom, D.P. (1997). James. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Oswalt, J.N. (2003). Isaiah. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Simundson, Daniel J. (1996). “Micah.” The New Interpreter’s Bible. Nahville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Watts, J.D.W. (1987). Isaiah 34-66. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco, TX: Word Books.

Seneca Falls and Beyond: The Impact a 1848 Conference Has on Women Today

In my very first post I made a nod to the 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention. A nod, however, is not nearly enough to make towards this event and the women who made it happen. The women of Seneca Falls set an incredible example for us today and they should not go unnoticed or unrecognized. I wrote a paper about the First Women's Rights Convention for National History Day back in spring of 2014. Cutting the paper down or even condensing it would (I feel) only cut down the power and importance of the convention itself so I left the paper untouched. Long as it is, I hope you enjoy it and come away from it feeling proud and empowered.
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Introduction
Every revolution starts with a decision. In 1848 five women made a very important decision at the tea table; a decision that sparked a movement among women to fight for their rights and gender equality, which were not secured to them by the Declaration of Independence. The fire that burned for women’s rights did not begin in 1848, but it was refueled when they decided to hold a convention to discuss the rights of women. According to Ellen Carol DuBois’s book Feminism and Suffrage “the Seneca Falls Convention was consciously intended to initiate a broader movement for the emancipation of women” (23). It inspired generations to continue their work.  The Seneca Falls Women's Convention was the most critical event of the 19th century Women's Rights Movement because it called awareness to the unequal treatment of American women, determined a set of rights for which to fight, and made people realize the unfulfilled responsibility of the government to its citizens.

Reform in the early 1800’s
According to an article published in the newspaper, Oneida Whig, the early 1800s were the prime time to demand reform. People of all ethnicities and economic classes were trying to change industries, institutions, laws, and mindsets. It is stated on the W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. website that 100 utopian communities were set up in the early 1800s alone because they all thought they knew the key to a perfect world. Everyone had different ideas for reform. New religions were started; jails, poorhouses, asylums, and orphanages were created; people wanted the school system altered; masses protested against slavery; the temperance movement was in full swing. Men were not the only ones fighting these changes; women fought too. Among them were Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, two adamant supporters of abolition. Soon these women and others realized that women’s rights needed updating as well.

The 1848 Seneca Falls Convention
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott were responsible for the idea of the first women’s rights convention. The idea was planted in their heads when they met at the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London. Stanton and Mott could not speak at the convention as women were not allowed to speak publicly at events attended by men. At the slavery convention Mott and Stanton spent a lot of time together and talked a lot about women’s rights. Before they left London, they promised they would start a women’s rights group.
Their idea did not take flight for eight years due to Stanton’s ever-changing home life and Mott’s continuous anti-slavery work. It took until the Stantons moved from busy Boston to sleepy Seneca Falls that Stanton fully turned back to her women’s rights group promise. Stanton sat down with Mott and four other ladies to discuss the idea of holding a convention for women and that night they drew up an advertisement. According to their advertisement “Seneca Falls Convention”, which was printed in the local newspaper Seneca County Courier, the purpose of the convention was “to discuss the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of woman”. These women were not ones to be kept waiting; the advertisement was printed the next day and the convention was held five days later.
According to the Encyclopedia of New York State the convention was held on July 19-20 at Wesleyan Methodist Church. Two hundred women and forty men gathered to hear speeches given by organizers and the reading of the Declaration of Sentiments (History.com). The National Women’s History Museum website exhibits the Declaration of Sentiments, a document written by Stanton alluding to the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Sentiments contained 12 resolutions about equality and unfair laws against women. The next day all the resolutions passed  including the controversial 9th resolution which called for the women to have the right to vote. According to the Huffington Post the ninth resolution passed narrowly even after speeches by Stanton and famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass defended it. Sixty-eight women and thirty two men that signed the The Declaration of Sentiments (National Park Service). The Seneca Falls Convention was held in a local church and the only advertisement was in a local newspaper, but that small meeting caught the attention of a whole nation (Burgan, 9).

Calling Awareness to Inequality
The Seneca Falls Convention called  awareness to the unequal treatment of women because women were able to discuss their unfair treatment in a public place. Most men and, surprisingly, a lot of women did not see women’s rights and equality as something to even think about. In her speech at the Seneca Falls Convention Stanton said “the most discouraging, the most lamentable aspect our cause wears is the indifference, indeed, the contempt, with which women themselves regard the movement”. Women gave up their rights because most of them had believed for their whole lives they did not have any power and that they did not deserve any; therefore, any women who actually believed in the fight for rights and dared speak to anyone else about such thoughts would more often than not be ridiculed by others. “They [supporters of women’s rights] did all this against an avalanche of hostility and ridicule that today’s young militants can scarcely imagine. Every institution - government, church, press, school - was angrily or scornfully against them “ said Miriam Gurko in her book The Ladies of Seneca Falls (8). The convention gave women a team of people that felt the same way they did about women’s rights.
According to the paper “The Birth of the Women’s Rights Movement in Seneca County”, 43% of newspaper articles were critical of the convention and 29% supported these women (28% were neutral). While supporters were not impossible to find, the critics often spoke louder. Newspapers like Mechanics’ Mutual Protection put down such notions as women’s equality calling them “ridiculous” and “scandalous”. One newspaper called the convention “ [a] mass of corruption, heresies, ridiculous nonsense, and reeking vulgarities which these bad women have vomited forth the past three days” (Gurko, 10).  Despite these negative comments it says on the National Portrait Gallery website Stanton was happy for the publicity because it drew attention to women’s rights.
By having met people who also supported women’s rights, suffragists were able to battle back. “In the face of such obstacles, the major resource on which women’s rights activists drew to support themselves and advance their cause was one another” (Lasser and Robertson, 28). When attending Oberlin College two women’s rights activists Lucy Stone and Antoinette Brown turned to one another and supported each other against harassment by teachers and other students (DuBois, 29). Other newspapers like Oneida Whig and The North Star supported the convention and women’s rights. The North Star called the convention “one of the most interesting events of the week”. According to the National Park Service, groups like the Quakers also took part in the convention. In fact, twenty two Quakers signed the Declaration of Sentiments (National Park Service).
Having supporters inspired attendees. In response, two weeks later another meeting was held in Rochester, NY and in the next few years conventions spread across the country. Many women also started campaigns and raised money to support their cause (Gurko, 107,179-180). In the words of Gurko, “one by one these horrifying propositions [about women’s equality] gradually seemed less outrageous” (206). The Seneca Falls Convention united women to fight together for a wonderful cause: the rights of their mothers, their daughters, and themselves.

A New Set of Rights to Fight For
The Seneca Falls Convention determined a set of rights to women to advocate for. Previously women wanted to fight for many different rights; the convention solidified what social and political rights women wanted to fight for the most. Many women wanted rights, but they didn’t know how much to demand or what to ask for. At the time women couldn’t sign contracts, make a will, or sue in a court of law. Women could have their property sold without consent, their wages could be kept, and their own children could be taken from them. Preaching, speaking in public, and pursuing higher learning were all unacceptable (Gurko, 8-14). Everyone had different ideas about what to ask for first.
The Seneca Falls Convention solved this issue with the Declaration of Sentiments. In fact, the Huffington Post called the Declaration of Sentiments “the nation's most important historical documents advocating women's rights”. The document set twelve standards to advocate for. One resolution said men could not claim superiority over women . Another declared the same amount of delicacy and virtue required of women should be required of men. Women also demanded to be recognized as equals under God, acknowledge the injustices done to them, and not be satisfied with their current condition. The most controversial resolution said that it’s the duty of women to participate in voting (Declaration of Sentiments). The passing of the 9th resolution caused some of the ridicule about the convention, but it ended up being the cornerstone that led to the 19th amendment (Britannica School High). Together women went after these standards and they started to see results. “In the mid-1850’s state legislatures began to respond favorably to women’s lobbying and petition efforts for reforms in property law. By 1860, fourteen states had passed some form of women’s property rights legislation.” (DuBois, 41). In 1869, Wyoming gave women the right to vote followed by Utah. Without the Declaration of Sentiments, women wouldn’t have made the progress they did because they wouldn’t have had those common goals they had established back in 1848.

Unfulfilled Responsibility
The Seneca Falls Convention made Americans realize the unfulfilled responsibility of the government to its citizens because the Constitution did not give equality and freedom to all as promised. In colonial times, women were treated with respect. The modern conveniences of the mid 1800’s had not been invented yet. Men needed all the help they could get; women were vital to making the colonies run properly. Women were not thought fragile and helpless. They couldn’t be those things when they were needed to help produce food, clothing, soap, and candles. Women often did the cooking, cleaning, laundry, caring for and teaching the children, preparing machines, canning food, doctoring, baking bread, and spinning or weaving materials. Women were highly respected back then; in some colonies, women could even vote. This changed in 1776 when America gained independence. Countrywide laws were now put in place and rights for women were not brought up (Gurko, 22-24). Women could not have a trial by jury of peers because women were not allowed to serve on juries. The government expected them to follow the laws but they had no part in creating them. The government denied them the right to control their property or earnings. The colonies fought taxation without representation in the Revolutionary War, but once they won independence, they did the same thing to women, who made up half the country’s population. In 1776, Abigail Adams said in a letter to her husband John Adams “I cannot say that I think you are very generous to the ladies; for while you are proclaiming peace and good-will to men, emancipating all nations, you insist upon retaining an absolute power over wives” (Gurko, 24-25).
The Seneca Falls Convention inspired women to fight back against the limits set for them by the government. These limits had been accepted by men and most women for 72 years. With all the conventions and campaigns occurring in the late 1840’s and early 1850’s people started to hear about women’s rights regularly. Many scoffed at such an idea, but others recognized the unfulfilled responsibility of the government to its women and they fought for rights. The founders of America claimed they wanted democracy, equality, liberty, rights, and opportunity and they had provided that… to white property-owning men, but not to their mothers, sisters, and daughters. The Seneca Falls Convention created an uproar that made people realize how unequally women were treated under the Constitution of the United States of America.

How Far Women’s Rights Has Come
Since 1848 American women have been able to become lawyers, doctors, police officers, and pastors. Not only have more positions become open to women, but women received the right to vote, own property, control their own money, sign contracts, sue in a court of law, and make a will. In 1963, the Equal Pay Act, which assured that females would receive the same pay as males would receive doing the same work, was passed. The following year sex discrimination was banned in the workplace. Title IX passed in 1972 stating that students would not be denied participating in any school activities because of their gender. Two years later women were permitted into U.S. Military Academies. This state of women’s rights is a drastic change from the conditions women faced in the mid 1800’s and the Declaration of Sentiments at Seneca Falls initiated it.

The Ongoing Fight
Despite these changes women are still fighting injustices. In the documentary Miss Representation it is described how women are treated like objects in the media; therefore, they start to see themselves that way. Women are portrayed as the same basic archetypes in most TV shows and movies. Females are rarely protagonists; only 16% of protagonists in films are women. Media and advertising aren’t the only places injustice can be found; just look at the government. Women are 50% of the population, yet they only make up 17% of Congress. While there have been 34 female governors, there have been 2,285 more male governors. Countries like China, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Cuba have more women in government than “the land of opportunity”.
Women have also seen injustice when it comes to wages. On average, women earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn. While women are able to obtain many more jobs than they did 165 years ago, they are rarely found at the top of a company. The fact is only 5.8% of TV stations and 6% of radio stations are owned by women. Women only hold 3% of clout positions in telecommunications, entertainment, publishing, and advertising. While there are many actresses out there, only 7% of directors and 10% of writers are females (Miss Representation). So while a lot of progress has been made since the first women’s rights convention, there is still a lot more progress to be made before women reach equality with men.


Want to know more? Check out these sources...

• An Incredible Book - I would seriously LOVE to borrow it to you
• Gurko, Miriam. The Ladies of Seneca Falls. New York: Schocken Books, 1974. Book.

• The Most Mind Blowing and Thought Provoking Documentary I Have Ever Seen - it's on Netflix so check it out
• Miss Representation. Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Virgil Films, 2011. Film.

• Blog Post
• MacNamara, Elisabeth. “165 Years Since Seneca Falls: Continuing to Organize for Equality.” Huffpost Women. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 17 July 2013.

• Historical Documents and Reports
• "Address Delivered at Seneca Falls." TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Ashland University.
• “Declaration of Sentiments.” National Women’s History Museum. National Women’s History Museum, 2007.
• “Report of the Woman’s Rights Convention.” National Park Service. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.
• “The Rights of Women.” The North Star [Rochester, NY], 28 July 1848. Print. Found on Library of Congress website.
• “Women out of their Latitude.” Mechanics’ Mutual Protection [Albany, NY] n.d. Print. Found on Library of Congress website.

Your Chains Are Already Broken

"Lord, I falter and I fall down and I hold on to the chains you broke when you came and saved my soul" - "The Struggle", Tenth Avenue North

So often we hold on to things that we have done and ask God to forgive us over and over again. While the Bible calls us to ask for forgiveness of God, it never says to dwell on our imperfections. This is something I have struggled with for a long time and I honestly don't believe I am alone. I think the reason we don't always feel like once is enough when it comes to asking forgiveness of God is because that it's not that way in this world. When we ask someone to forgive us rarely can we just do it once and it'll be done. There will still be hurt and unresolved feelings. So we come to think that the God of the universe is this way too. But He is not.

In Psalm 103:12 it says "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west". Then in Isaiah 43:25 it says "I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins." The Bible says it loud and clear - when we ask God for forgiveness He gives it to us.

God has never been one to keep anything from us. He gave up His own son for us. So many of us wear crosses around our necks but then we go and forget what it means. The cross means we are loved and forgiven. The cross means our chains are broken. There's even a song by Chris Tomlin called "At The Cross" that talks about Jesus' love and how at the cross His love ran red and our sins were washed white. How powerful is that picture! Your sin is washed white and your chains are broken. There is nothing our God would not do for you.In verse sixteen of Psalm 116 the author says "O Lord, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains".

Jesus broke our chains for us 2,000 years ago. We need to keep that in the front of our minds because there are other voices trying to tell us differently. I wrote an entire post about how the devil tries to trick us into believing we aren't good enough. But the devil is dead wrong. I love what this tweet from Trust In Him says: "Christ has already broken your chains. Don't let the devil fool you into thinking you're stilled locked in."

Our God loves us so much. What can we possibly do for Him? Here's what you can do: live for Him. Now, here's the deal. You can't live freely if you have chained yourself to a wall of sin and shame. So you have to let God's grace and mercy and love in. Let those chains fall off and run to Him. And while you are running to Him starting spreading His love and the hope only Jesus can bring to the world.

"Hallelujah, we are free to struggle, but we're not struggling to be free.Your blood bought and makes us children. So, children drop your chains and sing!" - "The Struggle", Tenth Avenue North

5 Reasons Doing PSEO Was One of the Best Decisions I've Ever Made

1. Escape from high school

Having to ask to go to the bathroom, being forced to get up at 6:30 a.m., only having one choice for lunch, getting in trouble with your parents if you skip class, and riding the bus with thirteen year olds. That's high school, not college. In college you can usually get up and leave class no questions asked, you can sleep in until 30 minutes before the earliest class you scheduled for yourself, there is a multitude of lunch options, you could never go to class and your parents would never be called, and seeing people under the age of 18 at school is very rare. There are so many freedoms available in college that it makes high school look like prison. (Read my post about reasons college is better than high school.) And if your 4 year sentence could be lifted 2 years early then why not take it?

2. Exposure to college atmosphere

Not only do you get to escape the boredom of high school, but you get the rare opportunity to see what college is like before you are thrown into it with no idea what you are doing. PSEO provides a more gentle transition. You get to see what college professors are like, get your textbooks, experience daytime college life, roam a college campus, do college level work, and meet college students. But at the same time you don't have to worry about paying for it all, you don't have roommate troubles (unless you live on campus), you can take a reduced load without risking not graduating on time, you can keep your ties to your high school friends, and you have your parents to help you along the way. Then when the time comes for you to actually go off the college you may very well be a pro (especially if you end up going to the college you took PSEO classes at).

3. Money, money, money

Sticker price, tuition at my school (University of Northwestern - St. Paul) is $28,390. Look, I don't have that kind of money in my change jar or even in my savings account (17 years of birthday money, 1 year of PCA work, and 2 years of tutoring people in math don't get you that much). Multiply that by the 5 years it'll take me to get my bachelor's in pastoral ministry and my master's of  divinity degree and you'll get... a heart attack. That's not even including room and board, meal plans, parking permits, dorm furnishings, or textbooks. College is expensive. This isn't news. Getting in anywhere from a semester to a year of free college can save you tons of money. Also, if it convinces you to do PSEO you can make yourself your parent's new favorite child (I know I am #1 now. That's a joke - anyone who knows me knows I am an only child.). Put it into perspective... even $30,000 saved in tuition is huge. With that money you could buy a brand new Dodge Challenger or 42 Samsung 1080p HD LED 50" Smart TVs or over 6 thousand venti White Chocolate Mochas from Starbucks or 25,000 tacos from Taco Bell or sponsor 3 children (from the time they are born to the time they become adults) through Compassion and give them nearly $100 every Christmas. I'm telling you PSEO can save you SO much money.

4. Chance to start working towards your future

If you are anything like you me you hate the idea of wasting your valuable time learning calculus. I am an impatient person and I'll bet you are too. Personally, I want to go out into the world and start a church. I want to lead people to Christ and I want to do it now. I need to educated and prepared but that doesn't have to wait until I am almost 19. I am doing it all now so I will have a master's degree and be ready to start proclaiming the name of Jesus for a living when I am 21. Whatever your dream is, you can start working towards it up to 2 years sooner by doing PSEO.

5. Ability to test the waters of a certain college

If there is a certain college you want to go to, doing PSEO there will give you a good idea if it is truly the place for you. Before you move in and start paying tuition for something you may not like, PSEO gives you the opportunity to try a college out with only a semester commitment. If it isn't for you, then move on to another college.



Note to those who have been scared of PSEO because of their schools...
A majority of schools see you as money. You are worth several thousand dollars of funding. If you choose to do PSEO, they get very little money for you. This is why so many teachers and administrators try to scare students away from PSEO. They want their money. Sure, some students do best in high school but if you have the support of your parents, you are informed, and you are willing to work then don't let anyone try and stop you from saving yourself that cash, testing out those waters, fleeing high school, entering college life, and working towards your dreams!

Censorship Sucks

Think back to some of the classics you may have read in high school. Books like The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck may come to mind. Did you know that all those books have been challenged and, in some cases, banned in public and school libraries? What about other favorites like The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, The Giver by Lois Lowry, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling? All of them have been challenged or banned before too. Even children’s books like the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, Where’s Waldo? (yes, I am serious) by Martin Hanford, and even the Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park have been challenged or banned.

For decades books have been challenged. While many are simply left alone, books are too often removed from libraries so people can no longer read them. Not only does this limit citizen’s choices, but their choices are limited by the thoughts of a minority. The banning of books causes censorship of author’s ideas, which is a right given to people in the Bill of Rights – the freedom of speech. Silencing authors results in a limited spread of new ideas and stories. In addition, when books are banned people’s right to express themselves and read what they want to read is stripped from them. Such censorship and rejection of rights should not be accepted in a country of democracy and freedom. Censorship by the banning of books should be ended by books remaining in libraries. This should be done because authors should have the freedom to share the stories they want to, the number of books available to people in public libraries should not be limited further, and people have the right to read what they want.

The best solution to end the censorship and freedom restriction caused by the banning of books is simple: keep challenged books available for people who want to read them.

One reason booking banning should not occur because authors should have the freedom to share the stories and information they want to share. In the Bill of Rights it states that citizens of the United States of America have the freedoms of speech and press. This means people can speak and write freely. An author does not deserve to have his or her work prohibited and unavailable to be read.

One argument that is often discussed is that banning these books from particular libraries does not mean people cannot find them. Books are able to be found on the Internet, in people’s homes, and in bookstores. While this is certainly true, the library system exists so all people can have access to books and material. Not all people have the money or resources to access books except through their public library. People should have access to these books through their libraries.

Authors have the right to have their work published and available. John Green made the sarcastic response to his book The Fault in Our Stars being banned in a California school library: "I am happy because apparently young people in Riverside, California will never experience or witness mortality since they won’t be reading my book, which is great for them. But I am also sad because I was really hoping I would be able to introduce the idea that human beings die to the children of Riverside, California and thereby crush their dreams of immortality."

Green brings up a valid point. Are issues like death, violence, homosexuality, sex, and swearing unknown to people before they read these books? No, death, violence, homosexuality, sex, and swearing are all heard about and discussed in everyday life in TV shows, movies, billboards, magazines, the news, radio programs, and newspapers regardless of who is listening or watching or reading. Removing books with these issues will not solve these problems.

Indeed, most of the reasons books are challenged and banned relate to these issues. According to the ALA from 2000-2009 1,577 challenges were filed due to sexually explicit material; 1,291 were because of offensive language; 989 were deemed unsuitable for the target age group; 619 were decided to be too violent and 361 were due to homosexuality out of the 5,099 challenges filed.

Authors should have the ability to write about things that happen every day in our world. Most of these books do not glorify topics like drugs, sex, and violence (unlike 90% of TV and movies today). Most of these books include these things but still have strong themes involving family, love, hope, goodness, and trust.

In fact, many of the books that are challenged are considered classics. The ALA lists 97 classics that have been challenged and/or banned.

The ALA says 17,700 books have been challenged since 1990. This number of challenges is astronomical. Imagine 17,700 books disappearing from public schools and libraries.

Not only does the number of threats against books continually increase the number of readers is continually decreasing. (People really should read. There's a blogger friend of mine - okay, it's me - who wrote about some of various reasons you should read. But I digress...) According to The Atlantic, from 1978 to 2014 the number of people who do not read has nearly tripled.

The freedoms to read and write should be preserved by books being kept on the shelves of public and school libraries because people should not be limited with the books they can choose from and should be able to choose books for themselves, and authors should have the freedom to share their opinions and ideas with the world. The silencing of authors and restrictions of readers is a hindrance of our rights and freedoms as citizens of the United States of America. If this problem continues, then censorship will continue to interfere with the freedoms of our country. Books that are created by authors for years and loved by thousands should not be taken off shelves because of a concerned few.  If there is a book in a library someone finds offensive they simply should not read that book. If that person tries to ban the book because they are uncomfortable with it then they are forcing their feelings on others. There may be hundreds of people who want to read that book. In a democratic country the views of one or a small group does not dictate the group. One person or group should not have the power to take away a book from a much larger group. Those books are not for just anyone to take away. They belong to all of us and are a part of so many of us. As junior Elizabeth Johnson put it “books belong to their readers” (Sagebrush).

Want to know more about banned books and censorship?
Banned Books That Shaped America

American Library Association
Banned Books Week

Welcome to America (Part 2): Land of the Free

This post is the second in a three part series based on the song "Welcome to America" by the Christian rapper Lecrae. The song's three verses are all told from the viewpoint of a different person. The second verse is through the eyes of a solider. With that being said, this second post will focus on the freedom we have in America thanks to our military and how many Americans are ignorant to the sacrifices many make for them.
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Over a million Americans serve their country through active duty in the military (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013). Through every tour thousands and thousands risk their lives for the safety of their country and for the well being of people all around the world. They leave their families and friends for months at a time. They leave the comforts of their home to go to a land they've probably never been to before. They serve their country well.

In addition, millions more are affected by the absence of those million serving through active duty. Their husbands or wives are without their loved ones for months at a time. Those who have children must act as single parents for the time being all the while praying and hoping for the safe return of their spouse. Children give up their mommies and daddies for months while they serve their country. Some children never see their mommies or daddies again. At the same time, mothers and fathers wait in anticipation. Brothers and sisters write letters. Friends mark their calendars for the day their friend will be back home again. Those in the military and those with family and friends in the military sacrifice so much.

Do we ever stop to realize how much? We cannot let Veterans Day be enough. It's not. We should live our lives in constant gratitude for the freedom we have and the reasons why we have it.

We should recognize that many men and women who return from the military have struggles when they come home too. They have missed out on so much while they were away. Some miss the birth of their children, their children's first words, their sister's graduation, their grandparent's funeral, their dad's surgery, and so much more. Not only are they trying to catch up on all they missed but they also have to start on the difficult journey of finding a job. In addition, many suffer from depression, PTSD, and some even have suicidal thoughts. One in five veterans of the Iran and Afghanistan wars suffered from PTSD (CBO, 2012). One third of Vietnam Veterans suffered in the same way. Suicide rates of veterans are double that of the general population (Veteran Affairs, 2012). It is estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every single day (VA, 2012).

Its time we start realizing the true cost of our freedom and work to help veterans around us who may need a helping hand. Next time you read the paper (freedom of press), go by a school (freedom of education), or enter a church (freedom of religion) remember the price of your freedom and be grateful for it. It wasn't free. Everything worth having is worth fighting for. We don't all fight for freedom but we all reap the benefits. Today and always thank those who have fought for us.

"I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A."

- "Proud To Be An American"

Extras

• Here is a video of those in the military returning home. (Helpful Hint: grab tissues - you may need them)
• There is an organization called Beyond the Yellow Ribbon which is dedicated to helping veterans and their families. For more information go to their website.

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Here is the second verse of "Welcome to America" by Lecrae:

"Man, I’d die for America
I served my time for America
Got shot, shot back, went to war, got back and ain’t nobody give a jack in America
I could've lost my life, boy, I lost my wife
I can’t even get right in my home land
Cold sweats, hold tecs, paranoid looking out for a threat in my own land
I was trained in America
How'd they get up in them planes in America?
Flew them right into the buildings
Taking out civilians
People getting killed in America?
And I’m still in America
Though America ain’t feeling me
I went to war for this Country
Turned around came home and you drillin' me?
When y’all free here saying you don’t wanna be here
Well, you probably could breathe here
If I didn’t load a couple magazines here
Y’all just complain in America
I’m jumping out of military planes from America
Aye I was made in America
That's why I’m out here saving America
I got a brother in the cemetery now
Cause he wanted y’all safe
And everybody want the freedom but nobody want to hear about face!
We bled for America
To keep y’all fed in America
But whats the point of talking a lot of y’all don’t really even care America"