I don't really get the bring back prayer in school argument. I get that things were largely better back in the old days...but because a teacher led a prayer?
First of all - kids, teachers, janitors, counselors - they all already have the chance to pray in school....every day. You can't really stop that. It's just silly.
Second of all - do you really want teachers to teach or lead your kids in prayer? I've met a lot of teachers and I'm not sure that's who I want talking to Griff about prayer.
Silly I tell you...just silly.
This is symbolic more than an enforceable reality. Abington High School in suburban Philly is right down the street from me. That is where the suit was filed that made the ruling. I want to see it overturned, because it is foolish to keep God out of the educational process. I'm not talking about fundamentalism of any stripe, but rather just a basic acknowledgement of God and basic respect for his word that the founding fathers had would be what we're talking about here.
ReplyDeleteBut until then, I pray illegally on the grounds of the school from time to time! Not sure how anointed I am since the cops never come after me!
CBB
I wonder how often the people who fight for prayer in school actually pray outside of school.
ReplyDeleteAnd what do they want to pray about in school anyway? Prayer for good grades?
People just want to fight about something.
Fuller, I will fight you today after school. So start praying that your good grades can protect you from the beatdown coming from my fists.
ReplyDeleteYeah!
i prayed in school one time. the kid still beat me up.
ReplyDeleteOne problem with the "bring back prayer in school" campaign is that it reinforces the incorrect impression that religion is banned in schools.
ReplyDeleteSean is absolutely right; students, teachers, etc. can and do pray in school. The prayers just can't be led by school officials. (I agree again - that's a GOOD thing!)
We have become so intimidated by "separation of church and state" that we surrender our religious freedom on a regular basis when we don't have to.
How many questions in this quiz can you answer correctly?
True or False?
1. A student can pray, read his or her Bible or other religious material, and talk about his or her faith at school.
2. A student can organize prayer groups and religious clubs, and announce their meetings.
3. A student can express his or her faith in class work and homework.
4. Teachers can organize prayer groups wtih other teachers.
5. Students may be able to go off campus to have religious studies during school hours.
6. A student can express his or her faith at a school event.
7. Students can express their fatih at their graduation ceremony.
answers
We need to stop taking "you can't do that" for an answer.
And students can express their faith by actually caring about and serving other students. Imagine if all the folks yelling about "expressing their faith in school" through praying decided to "express their faith in school" by loving the people around them.
ReplyDeleteCrazy idea.