Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Jewel · 08-11-2003, 04:13 AM

Quote:

LAKELAND -- The state's embattled child-welfare agency wants to build a more compassionate, efficient work force through a character fitness program with roots in biblical teachings.

The Character First! program has sparked controversy on grounds that it breaches the wall dividing church and state.

Program administrators insist course materials are strictly secular.

Still, Character First! has been embraced by Gov. Jeb Bush and Jerry Regier, the state's childwelfare chief who has pledged to restore the agency's credibility and boost morale.

Currently, the program is being taught in the Department of Children & Families' Orlando district, and it soon may come to District 14, which includes Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties.

I don't have time this morning to do a search for info about this program. Is anyone here familiar with it?

beth · 08-11-2003, 06:37 AM

I freaking hate HRS/DCF!!! I was involved in reforms in the system since I was fifteen. Our system target innocent parents and harasses them, while the scumbag, abusive parents go unchecked. The children are victimized by the foster care system and the social workers lose the children in it, or the children get murdered by parents when the social workers lie in their case reports. .... It's too bad that the social workers are insulted by the program, but oh well! They need to get there acts in gear. I haven't seen anything overtly religious about this program and I definitely would have no problem if the workers in Hills. County were made to attend the classes.

Toto · 08-11-2003, 10:09 AM

Character First! Homepage

I don't see any overt religiosity on the webpage. No theology, no giving yourself to Jesus. There is nothing about character that is unique to any religion, or to religion as opposed to irreligion (which I think is an important point.)

This might be something like the "7 habits of highly successful people" that a lot of corporations use. I think that the origins of that program might have come from someone who was religious, but the program itself is completely secular.

On the other hand, it could be implemented in a way that favors religion.

beejay · 08-11-2003, 10:21 AM

St Petersburg Times article

Quote:

A secular version of Gothard's character training, Character First!, was created by Oklahoma businessman Tom Hill, who is on the institute's board of directors. Character First!, which emphasizes character traits such as respect, responsibility and obedience, is now used in about 700 businesses and 2,000 schools. Character First! officials say they are separate from Gothard and do not hold Gothard's views, but some believe they are one and the same.
"It's simply his teachings with the Bible verses removed," said Dan Veinot, president of Midwest Christian Outreach in Illinois and author of a book about Gothard, A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life. "It's a way to draw people into his other (programs)."

emphasizes character traits such as respect, responsibility and obedience

I did notice one of the 49(?) traits listed was "tolerance". Don't remember seeing "independence".

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08-11-2003, 06:37 AM	#2
beth Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: where orange blossoms bloom... Posts: 1,802	I freaking hate HRS/DCF!!! I was involved in reforms in the system since I was fifteen. Our system target innocent parents and harasses them, while the scumbag, abusive parents go unchecked. The children are victimized by the foster care system and the social workers lose the children in it, or the children get murdered by parents when the social workers lie in their case reports. .... It's too bad that the social workers are insulted by the program, but oh well! They need to get there acts in gear. I haven't seen anything overtly religious about this program and I definitely would have no problem if the workers in Hills. County were made to attend the classes.

08-11-2003, 10:09 AM	#3
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Character First! Homepage I don't see any overt religiosity on the webpage. No theology, no giving yourself to Jesus. There is nothing about character that is unique to any religion, or to religion as opposed to irreligion (which I think is an important point.) This might be something like the "7 habits of highly successful people" that a lot of corporations use. I think that the origins of that program might have come from someone who was religious, but the program itself is completely secular. On the other hand, it could be implemented in a way that favors religion.

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