Freethought & Rationalism Archive

JamesKrieger · 03-30-2002, 11:07 AM

I got the following email from a Christian friend las night:

Quote:

Since the Pledge of Allegiance
and
The Lord's Prayer
are not allowed in most
public schools anymore
because the word "God" is mentioned....
a kid in Arizona wrote the attached
NEW
School
prayer.

I liked it....

Now I sit me down in school

Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God

Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow

Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,

That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise.

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall

Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,

God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.

They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,

And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.

It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,

We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,

Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,

No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school's a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

Should I be shot; My soul please take!

Amen

If you aren't ashamed to do this,
please pass this on.

Jesus said,
" If you are ashamed of me,"
I will be ashamed of you before my Father."

Not ashamed. Passing this on . .

My response (I hit "Reply to ALL" since this was a forward):

I'm sorry...most of you I don't know, but I feel compelled to respond to this because there is a lot of misinformation out there regarding school prayer. According to the law, an individual *is* free to pray before, during, and after school whenever they want, as long as it does not disrupt school activities. What is not allowed is *organized* school prayer, with the teacher leading, for example. This then becomes government-sponsored prayer, which means the government is favoring religion over no religion. This becomes a violation of the establishment clause and is unconstitutional.

The law, the way it is now, is just the way it should be. A Christian is free to pray on school grounds of their own accord. A Muslim is also free to do so. A Jew, a Pagan, etc., are all free to pray to whatever God(s) they may worship. A non-religious person is free to not pray. This way, the religious freedom of everyone is preserved.

Thus, prayer *is* allowed in schools. It is a common misconception that it's not. What is not allowed is *government-sponsored* prayer.

cartman · 03-30-2002, 11:21 AM

Excellent reply!

butswana · 04-01-2002, 05:49 AM

I went on a field trip with my daughter's 6th grade class a few weeks ago. I was in the classroom when school started. The Pledge of Allegiance WAS recited. I was more than happy to recite it along with the class. Of course I left out the "under god" part.

Mecha_Dude · 04-01-2002, 12:07 PM

I hate the pledge, so I say "Water melon cantelope" the whole time

Imhotehp · 04-01-2002, 01:12 PM

I think diana got a similar letter a while ago from her brother. She chopped it up pretty bad...

<a href="http://sezme.twistedpair.net/atheism/new_school_prayer.htm" target="_blank">Here</a> it is if you wanna read...

Sephiroth · 04-02-2002, 12:49 AM

Bah, the pledge is recited in every school I know, maybe they're complaining that the pledge isn't mandatory.

MOJO-JOJO · 04-02-2002, 05:58 AM

If you aren't ashamed to do this,please pass this on.

Jesus said," If you are ashamed of me," I will be ashamed of you before my Father."

Not ashamed. Passing this on . .

Why don't they just tell the truth...."I'm a silly little supersticious person that has bought in to the infamous christian threat of eternal damnation and suffering for not worshipping this imaginary god, and if I don't pass this e-mail along to you, this unprovable god, if he really DOES exist, might send me to Hell!!!"

[ April 02, 2002: Message edited by: MOJO-JOJO ]

Loki · 04-02-2002, 08:54 PM

I dont' know the sordid details of "One nation, under GOD", but I remember hearing my grandpa boast about helping get that in the pledge. He's a Knight of Columbus. I love my grandpa dearly, but I don't think I'll ever discuss religion with the man

especially since all four of his kids attended catholic school for more or less 12 years apiece, and all us grandkids have had at least 4 years (i have had the least).

It sickens me that these conservatives wish to create the nation in some unrealistic image of the past that never existed.

bunnytoes · 04-03-2002, 02:02 AM

I wish they’d just stop doing the pledge. Why not teach school children civics rather than having them vomit up a few meaningless lines. With very little modification the pledge could be used for the most totalitarian countries (I pledge allegiance to the flag of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia&#8230

. Why not have them recite the 1st amendment? <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[Bang Head]" />

atheistdave · 04-03-2002, 09:24 AM

James, I got the same damned e-mail today, complete with cutesy little Gee-zus pictures. I e-mailed back with a response very similar to your's, but not nearly as eloquent. Good Job!

Dave

04-02-2002, 05:58 AM	#7
MOJO-JOJO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Nashville, USA Posts: 949	<strong>If you aren't ashamed to do this,please pass this on. Jesus said," If you are ashamed of me," I will be ashamed of you before my Father." Not ashamed. Passing this on . .</strong> Why don't they just tell the truth...."I'm a silly little supersticious person that has bought in to the infamous christian threat of eternal damnation and suffering for not worshipping this imaginary god, and if I don't pass this e-mail along to you, this unprovable god, if he really DOES exist, might send me to Hell!!!" [ April 02, 2002: Message edited by: MOJO-JOJO ]</p>

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

03-30-2002, 11:21 AM	#2
cartman Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: USA Posts: 175	Excellent reply!

04-01-2002, 05:49 AM	#3
butswana Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,804	I went on a field trip with my daughter's 6th grade class a few weeks ago. I was in the classroom when school started. The Pledge of Allegiance WAS recited. I was more than happy to recite it along with the class. Of course I left out the "under god" part.

04-01-2002, 12:07 PM	#4
Mecha_Dude Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Everywhere... I'm Watching you... Posts: 1,019	I hate the pledge, so I say "Water melon cantelope" the whole time

04-01-2002, 01:12 PM	#5
Imhotehp Regular Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The milky way galaxy Posts: 159	I think diana got a similar letter a while ago from her brother. She chopped it up pretty bad... <a href="http://sezme.twistedpair.net/atheism/new_school_prayer.htm" target="_blank">Here</a> it is if you wanna read...

04-02-2002, 12:49 AM	#6
Sephiroth Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 625	Bah, the pledge is recited in every school I know, maybe they're complaining that the pledge isn't mandatory.

04-02-2002, 08:54 PM	#8
Loki Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Land of hippies and fog Posts: 2,075	I dont' know the sordid details of "One nation, under GOD", but I remember hearing my grandpa boast about helping get that in the pledge. He's a Knight of Columbus. I love my grandpa dearly, but I don't think I'll ever discuss religion with the man especially since all four of his kids attended catholic school for more or less 12 years apiece, and all us grandkids have had at least 4 years (i have had the least). It sickens me that these conservatives wish to create the nation in some unrealistic image of the past that never existed.

04-03-2002, 02:02 AM	#9
bunnytoes Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Loveland, Colorado Posts: 23	I wish they’d just stop doing the pledge. Why not teach school children civics rather than having them vomit up a few meaningless lines. With very little modification the pledge could be used for the most totalitarian countries (I pledge allegiance to the flag of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia&#8230 . Why not have them recite the 1st amendment? <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[Bang Head]" />

04-03-2002, 09:24 AM	#10
atheistdave Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Dana, IN USA Posts: 225	James, I got the same damned e-mail today, complete with cutesy little Gee-zus pictures. I e-mailed back with a response very similar to your's, but not nearly as eloquent. Good Job! Dave

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.