posted on September 23, 2001 06:02:59 PM
No, no praying, only a "moment of silence" in schools. We certainly don't want to offend the Freedom From Religion Foundation. I'm sure they are still busy trying to get "In God We Trust" off our money and with all these "God Bless America" signs all over town, it must pain them to see so many Americans finding solace in a higher power. If we need to lean on God right now to help carry us through this time of such great sorrow, so be it.
posted on September 23, 2001 06:12:50 PM
I heard one school (in Colorado?) that some parents were upset about the sign "GOD BLESS AMERICA"...and the Principle took it down!
And this was AFTER the towers came down.
posted on September 23, 2001 06:28:34 PM
Free people have a right not to pray, without being castigated for it. The very countries we currently suspect of harboring/aiding/abetting Osama bin Laden (and other terrorists) put great stock in daily prayer. What was your point again?
This topic generates a great deal more heat than light. A number of points are might be considered concerning prayer and other religious activities in public classrooms:
Contrary to generally held belief, prayer is not forbidden in public schools. A student can come early to class, sit quietly, and pray silently. Similarly, with some discipline, a student can pray upon rising, as a family before leaving home, even (if they can concentrate over the noise) in a school bus, in the cafeteria, etc.
What the constitution allows:
School religious speech: Students can carry Bible or other religious texts to and in school. They can pray before eating. A student can pray on the school bus, in the cafeteria, in classrooms before and after class, in the corridors, in the washrooms, etc. They can wear T-shirts with religious text. They can wear religious jewelry (buttons, symbols). They can hand out religious materials. They can freely talk about religion to fellow students, outside of class. They can pray before eating in the cafeteria. These are well-known freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
I'm sure they are still busy trying to get "In God We Trust" off our money...
Do you know how it got there in the first place?
edited- ubb
[ edited by mrpotatoheadd on Sep 23, 2001 06:48 PM ]
posted on September 23, 2001 07:22:22 PM
I know I may get attacked for this but.....Why is it when someone is does not pray to the same god as the majority of the population they are looked down on? These people that you are talking about may have another form of religion they practice and they do not want you throwing yours in their faces all the time.
just my two cents worth.
posted on September 23, 2001 07:34:59 PM
crissymays
Your words are wrong people don't pray to different gods there is only one god,there are many beliefs and cultures but only one god.
posted on September 23, 2001 07:39:19 PM
You believe in one god but not everyone shares your belief. Just because you believe in only one does not make the others wrong.
posted on September 23, 2001 07:48:03 PM
mrpotatohead - Good question!
"The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was placed on United States coins largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War."
http://www.ustreas.gov/opc/opc0011.html
Has the entire history of the motto "In God We Trust". Interesting reading, especially this quote by Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase in 1861 - "From my hearth I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters." Director of the Philadelphia Mint, James Pollock replied - "No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins."
[ edited by jordan0311 on Sep 23, 2001 07:51 PM ]
[ edited by jordan0311 on Sep 23, 2001 07:53 PM ]
