This week in church we extinguished another candle. The children had named this one the candle of bullying. With all the reports of violence in recent years in school and colleges the subject of bullying has come under greater scrutiny. While the causes of this rise in violence are broad and complicated, bullying has been named as a part of the problem. Folks are concerned with the long term accumulative impact of bullies on their victims. Bullying is the use of physical and verbal force and abuse to evoke a feeling a fear or intimidation. Its goal is to control and manipulate others. In this season of Lent we extinguish this candle to remind ourselves of the ways that we might contribute to bullying with our words and actions. Any actions to force our will or supremacy on others can teach or give tacit approval to bullying.
· Talk with your kids about how to recognize bullying in others and themselves.
· You can find some helpful resources, strategies and insights at these websites: http://www.stopbullyingnow.com/
http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/topics/bullying.asp
· Offer prayers for those who are bullies and those who are their victims.
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