Ashford Academy - The Story Behind Its Founding

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Posted by: Eddie Ingram
Date: Apr 12 2015 3:23 PM

The original Founders of Ashford Academy realized in the mid 1960’s that the government’s removal of prayer in public schools could result in the moral deterioration of adolescents, families and eventually society. Ashford Academy Founders, like so many more Americans, wanted their children and grandchildren to have the right to an education that centered on God and upheld Christian values and morality without government interference. They wanted children to realize the importance of Prayer. Thus, the birth of Ashford Academy.

Indisputable statistics tell us that the downward slide in social behavior started about the time of the court decision to remove prayer from public schools in the early 1960’s. As we see it, the court ruling to remove prayer from the school system was nothing more than the ‘official’ stamp on the removal of God from a very crucial part of our society. It was simply one large step among many small ones, which has contributed to the moral & spiritual disintegration of the U.S. It was a flying leap across a narrow line separating a God fearing moral country and the chaotic ‘everything goes’ situation we find ourselves in today. The message the Supreme Court sent to the country that fateful day was that it was okay to ‘remove’ God from His rightful place. They were simply another, very effective, tool in Satan’s hand.

Remove the fear of God from the human heart, whitewash the reality that, sooner or later, all of us will answer to a supremely moral Being, eliminate the concept that He demands adherence to His laws and it is but a short step to the deterioration of the cornerstone of society… the Family. With the fear of God done away with there is no longer any reason to treat marriage vows as sacred or bring up God-fearing children. From there it is an even shorter step to all the other sinister and evil circumstances we find ourselves in today… the very logical fruits of a society that has forgotten that He is a God of judgement and wrath.

The elimination of the fear of God, symbolized by the Supreme courts actions in the matter of school prayer, led to a dramatic increase in crime, venereal disease, premarital sex, illiteracy, suicide, drug use, public corruption, same sex marriage and many other social ills.

The educational standard of measure for schools has been the SAT scores. SAT scores had been steady for many years before 1963. After 1963, SAT scores rapidly declined even though the same test has been used since 1941.

There were only 1000 Christian schools operating in the U.S. in 1965. Between 1974 to 1984 that number increased to more than 32,000. Ashford Academy was founded in 1970.

Of the nation's top academic scholars, three times as many come from private religious schools, which operate on one-third the funds as do the public schools.

Since 1963 violent crime has increased 544%. Illegal drugs are an uncontrollable epidemic destroying thousands of lives and families each year. Our nation has aborted more than 30 million babies since 1973. The number of school shootings increased 999.9% after prayer was removed. Look at recent news footage of our young people taken on Panama City Beach, FL and their behavior in public. I could go on and on; you watch the news, you know whats happening in our world.

I’m in no-way criticizing public schools or their staff. Public school officials have to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the government and our courts or they risk losing their jobs and/or possibly being the subject of civil litigation and/or arrest. I have two wonderful daughters who attended and graduated from the public school system and I couldn’t be more proud of them.

If the true word of God (Bible) was taught to children in the home and reinforced daily in schools by our educators, it would have a profound effect on our children and society as a whole. I’ll be the first to admit that ‘I am a sinner’; but… I know by the grace of God and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that I have the opportunity for forgiveness and the hope of going to Heaven one day. God is hope. Without God, life is an empty, miserable existence. Much like many children feel and express today if you sit down and have a serious conversation with them.

Ashford Academy is more than a building consisting of blocks, windows and a ceiling. Ashford Academy is an Icon: a tribute to the many parents and grandparents who had the foresight to see that removing God from our schools would start a major moral deterioration in our society and our families. Men and Women, who wanted their children and grandchildren to know, love and respect the true God (even in school) without interference from courts or government.

IF Ashford Academy has to close its doors, so be it. Let’s not hold fault nor blame those who have to make that difficult decision. To its alumni and other associates; always let Ashford Academy remain in your heart as an example; a tribute to those original Founders who truly cared and wanted a better society and life for their/our children. Ashford Academy has made a wonderful difference in thousands of lives in its 45 years of existence. Thank you!

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