Happy Atheist Forum

I've taken on a new writing project that I hope to get published and send a message out there.

The story follows a young boy growing up in the city where he deals with crime, the social service system and church vans that go around picking up kids to convert them. If you don't already know, this really happens! Creepy guys ride around the city, trying to pick up kids by offering them candy, parties and etc. They don't even get parent permission.


If you have any writing/editing skills and would like to read over the work and offer your advice, proof reading skill or general opinion, please let me know.

Quote from: "karateman7"Creepy guys ride around the city, trying to pick up kids by offering them candy, parties and etc. They don't even get parent permission.

I'm not a lawyer or police officer but I'm pretty sure this is kidnapping and therefore highly illegal.  I'd be interested in knowing who these groups are and how they have not had any legal action taken against them.

There are numerous reasons why.

1). Parents aren't intelligent enough or don't care. (My family was a little of both).
2.)The community is highly highly supportive of these methods. To them it is like the church going out to save the youth from crime.
3.) It also affects the law. Just about a month ago, a really conservative church got a girl to runaway and join their church. The girl was found; no charges were pressed.

It's like a nail-biting thriller.  

The problems go way deeper in the city than crime, drugs, etc.

What city is this taking place in?  

Also, why not make it known to larger government entities such as county or state officials?  If that fails there also media outlets for awareness which can be extremely effective such as investigative teams for local news stations.  For example, in San Antonio, Texas (where I just moved from) a local news station has a special investigative team which looks into local matters such as this.  Uncovering something like this should really charge them up because this is Chris Hansen/Dateline worthy.  Or you could try writing a letter to the editor of a local newspaper because no matter how you slice it the ends do not justify the means.

Yeah, that is blatantly illegal, as well as unethical.

You should also write the church(es) in question and remind them that should anything happen to these children -- say, one gets killed when the van hits a telephone pole -- the church will certainly lose everything in a lawsuit.

I'll be happy to put together correspondence with the church, TV stations, and newspaper editors, if you'd like.

Quote from: "Squid"What city is this taking place in?  

Richmond VA, Atlanta GA, that I know for sure for starters.  My mom was actually thinking of having them pick up my brother at one point until I *calmly* explained to her what some of these groups do.  It's disturbing and no one wants to stop it.

Well, the topic has recently come into the light with the girl who ran away from home to be with the church (with the strong strong influence of that pastor of that church). I live in Lancaster, PA and it's very conservative here. Everybody talks about the weird people in the church vans from the "White," rural neighborhoods, but when it comes down to the local Spanish and Black churches running around and getting kids for Sunday school, it's not a problem.

I'm not saying all the vans go around just picking kids up out of the blue, but the fact that parent allow their children to go to these events without knowing anything abuot them is a problem within itself.

A small sample:

http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=11690843 (http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=11690843)

http://www.examiner.com/x-32274-Shrevep ... cal-church (http://www.examiner.com/x-32274-Shreveport-Headlines-Examiner~y2010m3d8-Boy-kidnapped-in-church-van-then-raped-in-a-local-church)

This is worst-case scenario, and there were other news articles like this in my local newspaper. We can be honest and say that there are probably other authority figures who use their power, but since this is in the city, the only authority figures are churches and their leaders.

Quote from: "karateman7"I'm not saying all the vans go around just picking kids up out of the blue, but the fact that parent allow their children to go to these events without knowing anything abuot them is a problem within itself.

Ahh, okay.  I was thinking more of luring children to come with them and then taking them without their parent's knowledge to be indoctrinated.  Even so, this does seem to be a fairly aggressive method and if it were an atheist organization doing the same thing there would be a huge public uproar.

Oh, most of the churches I attended as a boy had this service too.  If the parent knows and approves of it, that answers my objections.

FWIW, my parents sent Sis and I to church alone.  Although they were, and still are, somewhat religious, they had the good sense to avoid the BS themselves.

Um, so if anything, this is a good topic for discussion. But, is this the right place to get any attention for the original post (finding writers/editors)?

Sorry about the derail.

Oh, no I have no problem with it. I love discussing the issue because not many people know. I was just wondering if this was the right place to get the right attention.

Ah, yeah, the media forum would probably the more appropriate one for looking for help with writing a book.  I can move the topic, it's no problem.

Yes, if you wouldn't mind.

I'd be glad to help.  I have ghost written quite a bit but I've also written a little bit with my own byline.  If you are interested in my assistance, drop me a line and I'll give you an email of mine where you can send documents to be proofed, etc.

I'd be glad if you helped. I'll get in contact with you, as soon as I get everything together. Thanks!

Yes, I'll be happy to help as well.

Thanks. I'll add you to my list.

The first chapter is posted on my blog, if anyone would like to take a look.

http://mdrosado.blogspot.com (http://mdrosado.blogspot.com)
http://mdrosado.wordpress.com (http://mdrosado.wordpress.com)

Just to let you know, I did get your chapters, and will get back to you soon on them.

Take your time. I've got all the time in the world.