Freethought & Rationalism Archive

beachbum · 03-01-2002, 02:54 AM

Yup. Today the Orlando paper is publishing my letter. They recently asked for input on student lead prayer and this is what I wrote.

Student led prayer is simply a way for our misguided state legislature to return prayer to the schools. Whether a student leads prayer or the principal the problem is still the same, schools are for education not for religious services.

There seems to already be enough dissention in our schools without adding this. Consider the fact that religion has been the biggest divisor of human emotions since man created God. My God is bigger, faster, meaner, nicer, more omnipotent than your God.

Just what are you going to do with all the kids who do not want to pray? Set them in a corner? Send them into the halls?
What about the prayer that will inevitably be broadcast over the Public Address system, and you know that will surely happen? Make the students that do not want to participate go outside or sit with their hands over their ears, Yeah, that'll work.

Remember, as long as there are tests there will be prayer in school. It's an old joke but that in my opinion would be the only time that the religious right should be praying in school.

Published, mmm...... This should help with my Ph.D. Dissertation.

Oresta · 03-01-2002, 03:37 AM

Well said, Beachbum.
Publish or perish.

Writer@Large · 03-01-2002, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by beachbum:
Consider the fact that religion has been the biggest divisor of human emotions since man created God. My God is bigger, faster, meaner, nicer, more omnipotent than your God.

Nice line.

--W@L

Godless Sodomite · 03-01-2002, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by beachbum:
My God is bigger, faster, meaner, nicer, more omnipotent than your God.

Just like a big theistic game of Pok�mon--the faithful battle each other with gods using special attacks based on skill level. "Jesus, use your crucifixion attack!" "Krishna, counter-attack with meditation. Now!" And then you can catch the strongest god with your Master Ball.

Gotta catch 'em all!

-Jerry

simian · 03-01-2002, 05:16 AM

The comment I am always tempted to ask is what protestant kids will do when the Hail Mary is the Prayer-Of-The-Day. It is not necessary to pull in any other religions, tensions between denominations is more than enough.

Unfortunately (at least from a public education/thinking standpoint, fortunately from any other standpoint), this is one subject that really has not yet come up in this area.

Grizzly · 03-01-2002, 05:24 AM

Nice job, Beachbum! Let us know if they publish the whole letter or water it down to make it less comprehensible.

critical thinking made ez · 03-01-2002, 05:51 AM

Good form!

Beachbum, could you work on your PHD in Texas too? We need you here to help fight our Governor Perry (Bush's Christian replacement), since he is now pushing for school prayer in our Texas schools.

beachbum · 03-01-2002, 09:01 AM

Thanks for all the kind words.

Here is the thread and YES< Grizzly, they published every word. There are some real good letters here also

<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edpforumword01a030102mar01.story?coll=orl%2Dopinio n%2Dheadlines.html" target="_blank">here tis
</a>

[ March 01, 2002: Message edited by: beachbum ]

FreeToThink · 03-01-2002, 09:15 AM

Very nice Stan!

It's refreshing to see our viewpoint reflected in the Sentinel. They always seem to be such a mouthpiece for the fundies.

Your neighbor in Winter Park

Bob
(F2T)

ImGod · 03-01-2002, 09:19 AM

I find it funny that one of the few that supported prayer in school didn't even bother to sign his real name. B.A. Christian, how lame.

03-01-2002, 02:54 AM	#1
beachbum Beloved Deceased Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cocoa Beach, FL Posts: 864	I'm being published - in the Orlando Sentinel Yup. Today the Orlando paper is publishing my letter. They recently asked for input on student lead prayer and this is what I wrote. Student led prayer is simply a way for our misguided state legislature to return prayer to the schools. Whether a student leads prayer or the principal the problem is still the same, schools are for education not for religious services. There seems to already be enough dissention in our schools without adding this. Consider the fact that religion has been the biggest divisor of human emotions since man created God. My God is bigger, faster, meaner, nicer, more omnipotent than your God. Just what are you going to do with all the kids who do not want to pray? Set them in a corner? Send them into the halls? What about the prayer that will inevitably be broadcast over the Public Address system, and you know that will surely happen? Make the students that do not want to participate go outside or sit with their hands over their ears, Yeah, that'll work. Remember, as long as there are tests there will be prayer in school. It's an old joke but that in my opinion would be the only time that the religious right should be praying in school. Published, mmm...... This should help with my Ph.D. Dissertation.

03-01-2002, 09:01 AM	#8
beachbum Beloved Deceased Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cocoa Beach, FL Posts: 864	Thanks for all the kind words. Here is the thread and YES< Grizzly, they published every word. There are some real good letters here also <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edpforumword01a030102mar01.story?coll=orl%2Dopinio n%2Dheadlines.html" target="_blank">here tis </a> [ March 01, 2002: Message edited by: beachbum ]</p>

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03-01-2002, 03:37 AM	#2
Oresta Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 1,107	Well said, Beachbum. Publish or perish.

03-01-2002, 05:16 AM	#5
simian Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 1,924	The comment I am always tempted to ask is what protestant kids will do when the Hail Mary is the Prayer-Of-The-Day. It is not necessary to pull in any other religions, tensions between denominations is more than enough. Unfortunately (at least from a public education/thinking standpoint, fortunately from any other standpoint), this is one subject that really has not yet come up in this area.

03-01-2002, 05:24 AM	#6
Grizzly Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 2,936	Nice job, Beachbum! Let us know if they publish the whole letter or water it down to make it less comprehensible.

03-01-2002, 05:51 AM	#7
critical thinking made ez Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 536	Good form! Beachbum, could you work on your PHD in Texas too? We need you here to help fight our Governor Perry (Bush's Christian replacement), since he is now pushing for school prayer in our Texas schools.

03-01-2002, 09:15 AM	#9
FreeToThink Regular Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 167	Very nice Stan! It's refreshing to see our viewpoint reflected in the Sentinel. They always seem to be such a mouthpiece for the fundies. Your neighbor in Winter Park Bob (F2T)

03-01-2002, 09:19 AM	#10
ImGod Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nebraska Posts: 6,264	I find it funny that one of the few that supported prayer in school didn't even bother to sign his real name. B.A. Christian, how lame.

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