New School Prayer

[Gemini Cricket]

Conversely, I went to a school where you had to pray out loud and go to church on a regular basis. I found it to be too controlling, so I didn't go along with it.

[blueerica]

I suspect that the desire to have everyone pray might have more to do with Puritanism than anything else. Sort of falls under the "One bad apple ruins the bushel" mentality, except that it's not bad apples, it's sinners.

Just a thought, at least on perhaps an origin of such a requirement, especially given their influence on the earliest years of America's public education system.

Most of the hype over 'Prayer in Schools' IMO is stupid. They're just getting riled up and defensive because some are claiming that prayer is not allowed, evah ever. It's uneducated nonsense, and it's a shame that it's continually being put out there by people who want to freak out themselves and others and want to feel like their rights have been violated somehow. Just dumb.

[SacTown Chronic]

I feel bad for Christians. It's no easy trick being an overwhelming majority who controls almost everything in this country while being oppressed at the same time.

[Kevy Baby]

I'm surprised that no one has brought up the old adage that, "As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools."

[SacTown Chronic]

In that case, I guess my old report cards are proof that God doesn't exist.

[Jazzman]

I like it, and do find it relevant. I don't believe for a second that it was written by a student and while prayer and the pledge haven't actually been banned outright they are two forms of expression which, for some odd reason, are often targeted by the PC fascists for censorship. Why it's okay to limit them and not other forms (which I am an opponent of across the board, by the way) I'll never understand, but it does happen. We had a high school here where a ruckus was raised when most of the football team chose to kneel in a circle for a pre-game prayer and the ever so enlightened and "tolerant" PDX public cried foul and put a stop to it. It was voluntary, discreet and not pushed on anyone but the hopelessly extreme left dwellers here in town just couldn't stand it happening. Sadly it wasn't the first time I've heard of that, or similar instances, happening and as time goes by I fear it will only get worse. I'm a firm believer that the separation of church and state was intended to preclude the government from designating or pushing a state sanctioned religion and not meant to completely erase religion and spirituality altogether, so every time it is used to prevent the pledge, or a prayer circle, or anything else referencing God in schools it irritates me. So yeah, while I don't buy the backstory to this poem I find it totally relevant and poignant.

[SacTown Chronic]

It's like Darfur, only more tragic.

[Isaac]

Wow, this certainly hit a nerve w/ some of you.

Oh my!

Um, my personal thoughts on the topic of prayer in school:

I don't mind if someone does it, as long as it doesn't interrupt the classes. I don't agree w/ the reason for banning the POA but I don't mind it being gone. I never saw it as necessary or relevant to what we learned in class. It really just mindless lip service (IMO).


I don't know whether the backstory to the poem is true or not. I just got the email at work & found it amusing.

Okay, carry on and GOD bless

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by SacTown Chronic

It's like Darfur, only more tragic.

???

Is that an attempt at humor?

[SacTown Chronic]

Naw, I'm just tryin' to find different ways to say "Shut the fvck up and stop your incessant whining, Christians. You own this country lock, stock, and barrel...what else do you fvcking want?" without being rude.