April 29, 1986

Englewood Independent
107 W. National Rd.
Englewood, OH 45322

Dear Editor

There was one question posed to the Governor, as he spoke to Ohio on Saturday, April 26, that startled me. The question was con cerning the placing of Birth Control Clinics in Ohio's schools that would pass out contraceptives to minor children. The Gover nor hedged; he didn't answer yes or no. The issue seems very clear to me. As a foundation to my reason, I use some American proverbs, some scriptural proverbs, and an example of the appli cation of our laws. I was taught in America that "The end doesn't justify the means," and "Might doesn't make right." The scripture teaches us "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. ... Cor rect thy son, and he shall give thee rest; ... ." Prov. 29:15, 17 "Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding." Prov. 4:1 We know that contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a violation of the law. The responsibility of parents to his/ her God is a parent's right in a free society.

First, I would like to examine how the above works when we are dealing with booze. We urge our children, parents, and teachers to turn in a pusher (a pusher is someone supplying booze to a minor) and to report a contributor (a contributor is someone contributing to the delinquency of a minor by furnishing a place for minors to drink booze). Englewood's recently enacted "Keg" ordinance is an example of how this community views contributors. It is good citizenship to report your knowledge of criminal actions. Also, many of our minor children is concerned about the number of minor children that drive drunk. We can imagine the drastic effect of turning in pushers and reporting contributors. Some adults think they are doing a good thing when they provide a place for minor children to have a booze bash. They reason that it is better than having them to drink in some alley like the wino they may grow up to be. However, the end doesn't justify the means; and they are breaking the law. If a teacher, or any adult, drinks with minor children they are breaking the law, reqardless of their motives. To with hold knowledge of a pusher or contributor is poor citizenship. Now let us apply the same reasoning to another subject just as serious as booze. The fornicating of minor children.

Ask any parent which would upset them the most, to find out their minor child had drank a little booze or had fornicated a little. A parent has the right to answer that for themselves; a parent has a right to determine how much knowledge of and the access to contraceptives their minor children have. Even if some bureaucrate contributes to the delinquency of a minor by supplying contraceptives to minor children, that does not alter the fact; they are violating the parents civil rights. Might doesn't make right. The teaching that a minor child is the one to decide for his or her self what is right is an erosion of parental rights, will destroy the minor, and will bring the parent to shame. "But a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."

If Northmont ever has a birth control clinic which passes out contraceptives to minor children, I hope many parents will report it to the police; and file a complain against some one for con tributing. If any person instructs a minor child, other than their parent, where they can get contraceptives, I hope the parent files a complaint against that person for contributing. Psyco-social therapists are not above the law. I guess there may be some parents who do not care if their rights are being eroded; but I hope those that do care will file complaints against those that contribute to the delinquency of their minor children. Can anyone really believe that the imaginary right (contrary to our laws) of a minor child to fornicate supersedes the right of the parent to instill their value system into their child? The end doesn't justify the means; might doesn't make right; the responsibility of parents is their right in a free society.

Yours for God given parental rights

Charles J. Arnett, Pastor of Union Baptist Church
111 Worman Dr.
Union Ohio 45322
836-3272