The girls’ school is on the border between an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood and a community of modern Orthodox Jewish residents, many of them American immigrants.  The ultra-Orthodox consider the school an encroachment on their territory. Dozens of black-hatted men jeer and physically accost the girls almost daily, the students say.  Apparently these extremists are growing bolder in trying to force their views on others within their community.

Aron Heller of the Associated Press says that Beit Shemesh's growing ultra-Orthodox population has erected street signs calling for the separation of sexes on the sidewalks, dispatched "modesty patrols" to enforce a chaste female appearance and hurled stones at offenders and outsiders. Walls of the neighborhood are plastered with signs exhorting women to dress modestly in closed-necked, long-sleeved blouses and long skirts.[i]

I understand about people holding a strict religious view that may be at odds with others within their society.  I support the right of these people to express their views and to encourage others to adopt their stance on issues.  What I find distasteful is that they are targeting children in these endeavors in a manner that is hostile and confrontational.  I believe that these ultra-Orthodox Jews have crossed the line of decency.  Take it to the courts, seek to have laws changed, demonstrate in public, engage other adults in debate—but leave the children alone!

As I read this article on-line, I couldn’t help but wonder how my
evangelistic endeavors are perceived?  When I share my faith, I try not to be obnoxious about it.  I think it is right and proper for me to tell others about what I believe and to encourage them to believe it too!  I don’t think being confrontational and caustic is a helpful approach; that just shuts people down and is a put down.  I want to draw people into a dialogue.  I strongly believe what I say and I want them to believe what I believe, that means I have to respect their right to disagree and live in a manner that I might find contrary to my beliefs.  I cannot expect “right” behavior or even a change in behavior without first having a change in heart though faith.  We should seek to win people to Christ, not coerce them to outwardly conform their behavior to our standards.  
 
That being said, I think it is appropriate for the government to place expected norms of behavior upon it citizens. For example, laws against murder, theft and assault are necessary and appropriate.  Society at large can have expectations of civilized behavior that can be enforced by the community (i.e., shirts with vulgar or offensive language being prohibited at school). But one segment of society should not be allowed to force its standards on others within the community.  
 
However, society should not be able to completely silence opposing viewpoints because they are not politically incorrect.  I do not believe that sharing my views on sexuality should be censored by our society just because some others hold an opposing point of view.  I believe it is my right to share my beliefs with others in an appropriate and respectful manner.  We share the gospel and teach the bible at church; that should be our right to do that.  In our homes and in our neighborhoods it should be our right to tell our neighbors what we believe and how we desire to live.  I also believe that it is important for us to share our beliefs and voice our opinion on all public matters.  But we should never resort to name calling, derisive speech, or character assassination.  And certainly we should not bully the weak or the helpless.  Other people with differing viewpoints are not our enemies; they are people whom Our God loves and for whom Jesus died for.  Our goal is to help them to understand, to accept and embrace a gift that has been offered to them.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV

Our goal is to win their minds so that Christ can capture their hearts. You don’t do that with rudeness or bullying.  You do it with kindness and compassion.  It is done by valuing them as a person no matter how different their views are from yours.  Our goal is reach them; not defeat them.  Even if we are correct in our theology and practice, we can be wrong in how we go about sharing the truth.  
 
People matter.  

And we should treat them like they do.  Although they may not know it or they may even deny it, every person has been created in the image of God; therefore just by existing, they are worthy of our respect and concern.

 [i]'Existential challenge': Israeli girl's plight highlights Jewish extremism by
Aron Heller, Associated Press, updated 12/27/2011 3:17:18 AM ET