Religious Right Group In Arkansas Has Confusing Agenda.A newly formed Religious Right organization in Arkansas wants the state government to set up special "Christian public schools" separate from existing public schools yet infused with sectarian dogma. The organization, Put God Back In Public School (PGBIPS), scheduled a day-long rally June 13 at Bums Park in Little Rock. Despite its name, the group's leader says the organization does not favor prayer in schools. "I asked God, `Do you want me to change the law to put prayer in the schools?'" said Kathy Smith Kathy Smith (born December 11,1951) is a personal trainer who became well known for her workout videos during the late-1980s and 1990s. She has sold millions of videos and DVDs. Her first video was released in 1988. She is 5ft 9in and 135 lbs. , who founded PGBIPS. "He said no. If you do that, kids would have the fight to pray to other gods, too. They could pray to Buddha. God doesn't want that. There's only one God." Smith said her goal is to provide "Christian counseling Christian counseling is counseling done by a professional counselor who upholds the Christian value system, beliefs and philosophy. The unifying factor is the therapist, him or herself, who has integrated Christianity (Christ-centered and Bible-based), the research of psychology, " in public schools to stop gang activity. The Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly that public schools may not sponsor religious worship, but Smith insists that her plan is feasible. She told the Arkansas Times Arkansas Times, a weekly alternative newspaper based in Little Rock, Arkansas, is a publication that has circulated for more than a quarter-century, originally as a magazine. that Gov. Mike Huckabee  This article or section contains information about one or more candidates in an upcoming or ongoing election.Content may change as the election approaches. , a Republican with strong backing from the Religious Right, supports the plan and noted that Huckabee provided a videotaped message for the rally. Steve Brawner in the governor's communications office disputed that claim. "Any effort to instill in·still v. To pour in drop by drop. in  stil·la tion n. values in our schools the
governor is going to be for," he said. "Anti-gang programs,
counseling -- that's what they said they were doing. We asked them
if they meant prayer in the schools, and they said no."
Smith runs PGBIPS out of Harvest Fellowship Church Fellowship Church (FC) is a Christian megachurch and multi-site church with its main campus located in Grapevine, Texas, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. FC is purportedly one of the largest and fastest-growing churches in the United States, with an estimated attendance in North Little Rock, where she is a member. |
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