As an American, I reflexively recoil from prayer and religious instruction in public schools. However, I just read a fascinating article in History Today which argued that the mandatory inclusion of religious study in English schools has acted as a bulwark against the Christian fundamentalism that rebels against the separation of church and state in the States. I'd never really thought of it that way before. In the States, we don't have a state church like so many European nations; yet Europe doesn't seem to have an influential Christian right-wing like we do here. Well Britain doesn't have Separation of Church and State since Her Majesty is both Sovereign and Head of the Anglican Church. I'm not sure compulsory prayer has any place. ......and for this one. Did not realize public schools were for worship. If students were allowed to study non-religious subjects they might be a little better prepared to survive in the real world. One thing to keep in mind, no one or no were does it say that you cannot pray in school. Pray to your hearts content if thats what you want. The law simply states that the schools cannot lead religious observations as it tends to force everyone to participate - even those that do not share the same view. Ironically it is the enforcement of religious freedom that protects those that wish to violate that freedom. This is NOT a christian nation, as so many lying Christians will try and make people believe. No one can prevent a person from praying...anywhere. And we *were* a Country founded on the principles of the Bible. Rewrite history all you want. But you are right; we are NOT a Christian nation now....and doesn't it look good??? s/off This country was founded on the principals of freedom and personal rights. Part of that was the right to your choice of religious belief. Most of the key founding fathers were NOT Christian, no matter how much idiots like Rush Limbagh or Phil Donnahue try and tell you. They were deists and there religious beliefs ran quite different than that of common Christianity. And if you wonder at the condition of the country, look toward its previous steward who did quite well for himself in the 8 years he ran it. I'm not sure compulsory prayer has any place.You are not sure? What? How can one force anyone else to believe? We can't; we all have free will. I should note that I was talking about America, not Britain. Then again, if religion didn't require so much constant badgering you wouldn't have to continually foce people to take part in compulsory participation. Debbyski, You don't. You may want to think you do but no you don't. Whenever we stray from what is natural for us, we are sacrificing our free will for other people's will, we are caving in, taking the easy, comfortable, soon to be painful, way out.That pain just goes deeper and deeper over time, becoming less defined. What use to be obviously painful becomes so normal, so everyday that we forget that life isn't suppose to be this way. As a believer, I know that this isn't what God would want for me and even though the world never makes complete sense, I know that she has a plan and that I can only see and understand my small part of it. Can any of us see what tomorrow brings, the changes t... Simply give the kids a minute of silence every day and let each child pray to the God of their choice or not pray at allThat's already available. You don't need an 'official' time of silence. It can be done before class starts, during a lull, lunch, between classes, or whenever a free moment is available. And debbyski, that clip about belief systems and you wanting to hear what other people's belief systems are is bullshit, either that our you don't consider me a person. Unblock me please, dammit. You come on here yesterday, hijack my argument with someone else and then don't even have the decency to allow me to comment on it. What kind of beleif system is that?? That's a bullshit belief system is what that is. About bullshit belief systems: My God does not love systems (thank you, Lord). He loves people, individuals, he loves me and everyone just the way they are. He cares not for the rules of mankind set forth to control our actions. That's politics and it's also why people get so... Oortcloud, That's very true, but you know how fanatic some parents are about having their childrens lives structured. Really, I think it's pretty much 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. I would be nice if parents would talk to their kids about this and let them know that they have this option to pray at anytime. debbyski, I was put here for a purpose. Rescue me so I can rescue you, or, if you prefer, I'll rescue you first and then you can rescue me.  |
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