Alonzo Fyfe

I think it would be educational for an atheist organization to host a discussion on the separation of church and state at the local school.

And, as a part of that discussion, a speaker stands up and points out that one CAN make religious statements in a school. To begin the event with a prayer. "Out of respect for the theists among us, we would like to offer you a moment of silence to pray."

Then, point out after the moment of silence is over, announce, "Please notice, nobody is being hauled out of the school for praying. The police did not raid this place to haul all who dared to pray in a public school off to prison. The whole idea that atheists are out to remove prayer from public school is, in fact, a lie designed to generate sympathy for an agenda that will not be complete until our public schools have been turned into public houses of worship."

tgamble

Within reason. You wouldn't want a KKK meeting there.

beejay

You might not WANT it, but I don't see how you can legally forbid. You don't really want the government deciding what views are acceptable and what aren't. Schools that allow their facilities to be used by other groups need to do so in a "viewpoint neutral" way.

The Other Michael

But the whole "moment of silence" is basically a religious concept.

If there is no religion involved, why would you take a moment of silence to start a meeting? Since the religious in the crowd can offer up a silent prayer at any time, what need is there to give them a moment in which the entire crowd is asked to be silent?

Besides, you are likely to end up with some clown who just insists on praying aloud during the "moment of silence".

cheers,
Michael

Wyz_sub10

Not necessarily. I love starting each work day with several moments of silence..and some coffee. Seriously, though, I'm not as harsh on the "moment" thing as some people are.

As for your second comment quoted, yeah, I could totally see this happening. If it did, though, you could use the next opportunity to recite the lyrics to "Mandy" by Barry Manilow in prayer format.

Threaten to sing it the next time.

[ August 26, 2002: Message edited by: Wyz_sub10 ]</p>

The Other Michael

Hi Wyz_sub10

Your starting your day with your personal moment of silence seems quite different from a formal moment of silence at the start of a meeting.

I can see a moment of silence at some sort of memorial service, but it seems irrelevant to a general public meeting.

I don't know about "Mandy". I think I'd rather do something by Zappa - maybe "Latex Solar Beef" or something from "Crusin' with Rueben and the Jets".

cheers,
Michael

4th Generation Atheist

Yeah, that's roughly where I'd draw the line also. The super should have the right to express her own views on her own time...but public servants have the responsibility to draw a sharp line between what they say or do as a private citizen and what they say or do in their official capacities. When I was working for the gov't, the big "distinction" was whether or not you were "on the clock" at the time, and if after hours whether or not you were wearing your badge. This might seem arbitrary, but it points up a principle: make it clear which "hat" you're wearing. I'd do the same thing if I attended a freethought gathering on my own time.

'Course if these things keep coming up, you might see me at the North Pole! <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[Bang Head]" />