Religious brainwashing at Legacy XS skate park in Benfleet?

[instagrams]

i agree with exactly what you are saying. i have been thinking the same myself

[matbroomfield]

@instagrams Thank you for your comment. I didn't want to be unfair to Legacy, as it is a valuable service - for BMXers at least, but I just felt that it was a bit underhanded of them. Funny enough, although you are the only person to publicly agree, several others have agreed to my face.

[ellisgoward]

Im sorry but that is absolute rubbish,

iv only ever seen you at legacy once, it seems quite clear that you have jumped to conclusion on how legacy operates..

[matbroomfield]

@ellisgoward I only have to step in dog mess once to know that it stinks. I've been to Legacy a couple of times. The fact that legacy's channel here on youtube describes it as "Skate church" but there is no such sign on the outside of the building makes me wonder if that is mere coincidence. But still, if you can persuade me that my perception is wrong, I'll gladly take down this video. And my perception that the park is primarily run for the convenience of BMXers.

[matbroomfield]

@ellisgoward Are you a christian Ellis? What facts were incorrect? Where on the website does it say that it is a skate church? The church is not a company, it's a religion. I got most of my facts from people who visit and from SOMEONE WHO WORKS THERE.

[ellisgoward]

@matbroomfield NOPE im no christian and i have never been pushed toward religion by legacy. The church runs !!seperatly!! to the weekend public skate/riding sessions, the weekend cells nights and the sunday church night is !!seperate!! to the XS skatepark business and an OPTION for the riders to take part in, it is entirely there choice. and maybe you should talk to more people.. i feel i am repeating my self and am very bored of typing HA bye bye for now

[HighSpeedRocker]

my religion is skateboarding, enough said.

[matbroomfield]

@HighSpeedRocker Agreed!

[iZxBuEnO]

i do believe in god. i think the "brainwashing" is semi-understandable. its funded by the church. but it should say that you will be able to skate and also learn about god if you want to.

[ellisgoward]

@iZxBuEnO it does say that -.-

[iZxBuEnO]

@ellisgoward well then again. ive never been there, seeing as i live in the US...

[TILukasadeIT]

Join the Dark Side >:) (obvious West ham supporter) :P

[matbroomfield]

@TILukasadeIT I have something to tell you - I am your father Lukasade!

[TILukasadeIT]

@matbroomfield AAAHHHH!! :)

[iZxBuEnO]

@matbroomfield hahahahaha

[isegul1]

I am a christian but I do believe the church is wrong when they do this, but only to the extent of them preaching to kids.

I've been to a lot of parks run by churches that just want their kids and their friends to have a safe place to skate, and the church happens to have a parking lot that isn't being used during the week. At least where I live most of the time the church parks were started because the parents were tired of their kids getting arrested for skating in the wrong places.

[matbroomfield]

@isegul1 I've got nothing at all against churches running parks for their kids, and I think it's great when they run parks for everyone else. so long as they are not doing emotional lackmail to get the kids to listen to religion.

Like I said, I actually thought the park was the best thing the church ever did. If they made it clear it was run by a church, I wouldn't have a problem. Well, not too much anyway! ;-)

[XSLegacy]

@matbroomfield Legacy XS makes it clear that it exists to provide for peoples' emotional, physical & spiritual development when they become members (Its on our membership form) we even have a big image of Jesus on the wall in case there was any doubt. In all public sessions there is no Christian content. Suggesting that we blackmail anyone or "shove anything down anyone's throats" is very offensive. We are careful to respect all of our members & work for their wellbeing whatever their views.

[matbroomfield]

@XSLegacy To be honest, when it comes to religion, I could care less if you are offended.

I skated at legacy, and it was in no way made clear that that was your agenda. Furthermore, having a big picture Jesus on the wall is exactly what I am talking about. You could call that subliminal or shoving it down their throats. Offering a service that the kids are desperate for provided they come into that environment IS sinister. If it was a picture of satan, how would you feel?

[matbroomfield]

@XSLegacy Also, what do you define as "their wellbeing"? Faith in God? Improved morality? I have been VERY supportive of the great work done by you guys at Canvey outdoor skate park, where there is no religious content, but when you start mixing religion and skating, you totally cross the line, and it starts to become low-level indoctrination.

[pixiesoft]

You have a strong stance against religeon? Never, I will hear none of it ;-)

As you know I am an atheist supporter but look at at from this view if you will. If this was funded by a commercial company like McDonalds do you not think that they would have posters and offers that throw it down the throats of kids to get them to convert to McDonalds from Burger King or KFC.

[matbroomfield]

@pixiesoft That's true enough, but when you go into A McDonalds, you know that's what you're doing. Also, McDonalds doesn't preach hate and intolerance.

[pixiesoft]

@matbroomfield I don't know as that Clown from Maccy D's scares the bejesus out of me.

[IAWAskater]

There's a really nice park about an hour and a half from me that's the same way, but it's actually called Skate Church

[matbroomfield]

@IAWAskater Well, there's no dishonesty there then at least. I still find it distasteful to use the lure of skateboarding to attract kids to preach to, but at least they know what they're getting.

[iZxBuEnO]

@IAWAskater is the skate church you are talking about in san carlos/belmont, near CHS and TL? past dartmouth?