Comments on: On Obama, School Prayer & and Church/State Separation

By: Dana

Dana — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 03:26:45 +0000

I would bet my last dollar that if I were a child going to a Muslim school or any non-Christian school they would not stop their daily prayer to whomever, just because it might offend me. And I would not expect them to. It’s time we stop worrying so much about offending minorities of different ethnic groups or foreigners who come to live our country. If they want the privilege of living here then they can learn our language, salute our flag, and accept our ways, not vice-versa.

By: Dana

Dana — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:00:29 +0000

The largest percent of Americans are Christians. I thought in America the majority rules, so therefore why do Christian children have to abstain from prayer in schools just to pacify the small percentage of non-believers? America was based on the Christianity of our forefathers and we should carry out that tradition unless, heaven forbid, someday the majority comes around the be that of the atheists.

By: Wilda Hughes

Wilda Hughes — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:22:37 +0000

Interesting report, Terrence. A friend of my daughter’s was kicked out of high school within days of him walking out of the auditorium where the school had invited a Christian speaker to speak to them about Christianity and lead them in prayer. This was four-plus years ago, so I don’t remember all the details. But I do remember being incredulous at the time, first that the school had brazenly required that students attend this event and second that the kid was expelled a month or so before the end of his senior year. And for the record, although my daughter was uncomfortable with the speaker, she kept quiet and graduated. Of course, we deal with the same things at work. I worked in company 1.5 years ago where my supervisor witnessed to me. Everyone around me was a believer. I remained quiet and noncommittal for the most part. I was contract and I certainly didn’t want to lose my job or the friendly co-operation of co-workers. I’ve lost that friendly co-operation in the past when people found out that I wasn’t a Christian.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:38:06 +0000

I came to this site looking for statistics to a speech project at school. I found so much more than I was looking for. These comments and sories posted have led me to further believe that this world is headed to Hell and it’s not the Christians fault. You people want your children to be stupid forever. To sheild them from any real hope by filling their heads with lies that there is no God. You gripe about the world but you make it so bad. By telling people there is no God you let them think there are no rules or directions to follow. That is why crime is so high why little girls are killing their unborn babies why families never stay together. By choosing to believe these lies you are the corupt one.

By: Wanda Martinez

Wanda Martinez — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:42:10 +0000

People have the right to practice religion or believe what ever they want. I think we blaming God for peoples mistakes. We not perfect , we need to respect everybody opinion and belief . If the Jews don’t believe in Jesus I don’t undestand why the “Christians” want t to force them to believe or participate in their faith, the same think for the Jewish people with want they believe.
Now, I will like to know something, if God is not real why the whole world always said ,” Oh my God ” when something amazing is happening ever when someting bad is happenig.
I met a co-woker that believe in the devil and he has a car accident and nothing happend to him. His car was totally lost and he said to me “Thanks God and Jesus I’m alive”. I told him “how come?, you said that you don”t beleive in God. He said, “I don’t , but my grandmom always bless me in the name of Jesus when I going out and she said that he always going to protect me when I’m out there. I told grandmom I don’t believe in him and she said but Jesus believe in you. I felt that somebody was hugging me when my car was spinning around and I have no seatbelt on and I was along in my car, if this dude was there well I want to thank him”.
Is his not real Why the entire world is talking about him? What about he is real and we are waistig our time hating each other? We need to waste our time on living on peace and acept everybody the way that we are not matter the race, color or religion. I not in nobody side but we need to grow up and focus in things more important.When we die we wil know if is going to be a jugement day or not. Is easy to mess around with the peacefull people than the millions of criminal in our community.
Just keep your peace ,do right out there with others and stay out of trouble.

By: Sierra (KS)

Sierra (KS) — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:33:23 +0000

“You believe in God. I believe that your beliefs have made you morally corrupt.”

I loved that closing sentence, Calladus. Simply wonderful, you took the words out of my mouth.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 03:47:47 +0000

Magi,

The difference between your catholic missionary school experience and public schools is immense. The imposition of a particular religious view in the missionary school did not have the imprimatur of the government as it does in public schools. No one is arguing with the benefits of being exposed to different religious beliefs. But having the government put its stamp of approval on a particular brand of religion is theocracy. Students should not be made to feel that their religious beliefs, or lack of beliefs, makes them second class citizens who are inferior in the eyes of the government.

By: nal

nal — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 19:12:23 +0000

Obama’s main point that context matters still stands, I think. It’s been said a few times already, but voluntary prayer groups are different than prayers announced over the intercom, before a game, or a graduation ceremony, which crosses the line from voluntary into coercion.

By: magi

magi — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 09:53:28 +0000

I think its a matter of opinion and also, as pointed out, largely a matter of context. After studying in a Catholic missionary school with a large non-Christian student majority, we had to say the Lord’s prayer everyday. A mass was held every week which was compulsory only for the Christian students. I never think it had any impact on my philosophy or religion. I am not a Christian but didn’t feel de-meaned or brainwashed by saying the prayer. I believe in a divine guiding presence who does not conform to the tenets of any organized religion. I think it gave me and others a better understanding of a very widespread religion.
Just because you don’t believe in a religion and its teachings should not mean you should never have to face that religion and its symbols in everyday life. Any discriminatory behavior should doubtlessly not be condoned.It should not be a part of mandatory academic teaching but I think kids are mature enough to understand teachings and ideas from a very early age these days. If they can see other religions and beliefs, maybe they would grow up to live in harmony with them. Something we desperately need in this day and age.

By: the audacity of individuality » imposing state religion

the audacity of individuality » imposing state religion — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 20:47:10 +0000

[...] The Republic of T. has a great developing story dealing with school prayer and the separation between church and state. In Canada this is more or less a given, but in the United States it is an increasingly divisive issue. On July 3, 2006, Terrance (Republic of T.) wrote about Barack Obama’s speech on Democratics and religion. Today he followed it up with a story about an Oklahome teen who was kicked off the girl’s basketball team for not participating in a team prayer. Definitely worth checking out. [...]