On 2004-04-14 17:01:00, Anonymous wrote:
"Aren't they considered a "Christian based" program? "
Jesus warned of those who would come in His name, but not be of Him. It is wise to check out the schools before sending kids there. However, one must keep in mind, that just because there are those who use the Lord's name for ill-gotten gain, there are those who use the Lord's name for righteousness. There are very good schools that are Christian based and that do strive to emulate Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:11 "and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people."
Mark 13:21-23 "At that tiime if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ? or, 'Look, there he is?' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect - if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time."
II Peter 2:1-3 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destrucive heresies, even denying the soverign Lord who bought them-bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.
It is unhelpful to stereotype all of these places for troubled teens as being bad. Yes, there are abuses that take place. The people who do the abusing should be executed. No problem.
There are those, however, that do help the teens without being abusive and without restraints.
Just because you wouldn't put your child there, doesn't make it wrong for everyone. It may be wrong to you, but that doesn't make it wrong.
While there are those who may feel that putting one's child in such a program, there are those who feel that not getting help is abuse.
There is no shame in admitting help is needed. There is shame in needing help and being too arrogant to get it.
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool seems right to hikm, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 14:6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.