Whoa, I guess it’s true.
What I meant to say is, "So, if I deny the existence of God, does that mean that Ialso do not exist?
They can. According to the Supreme Court, prayer is not prohibited in school. What is prohibited is the school mandating or sponsoring a prayer.
This sort of thing should not happen. It’s just as wrong to keep a child from practicing their religion as it is to force them to pray to a god they may not believe in.
I’m an atheist. I don’t believe in any god. But it’s no skin off my nose if you want to pray to God or Allah or Vishnu or the Invisible Pink Unicorn. Just don’t use your religion as a weapon to beat nonbelievers over the head with.
TMR
LETS RIDE THIS SAUCER FULL OF SupErlovE INTO OUR FORTOLD UTOPIAN MILLENIUM…
I’d like to add that not ALL children today are lacking in morals, discipline, or desire to be good people. Although I see a lot of kids and say to myself, “I would never have gotten away with that when I was his age” (and I’m only 27), I believe that kids like that are still the minority. I know a lot of children and teenagers that try to do well in school, are respectful of their elders, are generally polite, and have a good moral base.
I think discussions like this sometimes tend to paint kids as god-awful hellions.
‘Oh dear,’ said UncleBeer, and vanished in a puff of logic.
TMR
LETS RIDE THIS SAUCER FULL OF SupErlovE INTO OUR FORTOLD UTOPIAN MILLENIUM…
First of all, Purplebear, this may post may come across as attacking you directly. I just want to say that I have nothing against you personally.
What is it about Christians that they feel that not only is their way the ONLY way, but that it is also the best way? You do NOT have to beleive in a God to be a functioning member of society. You don’t even need a god to be a religious person. Buddhism has no diety. So by saying that anyone who does NOT believe in a God is living a purpose-less life is insulting, not only to athiests, and agnostics, but millions of Buddhists and Taoists.
The fact of the matter is that it is not an easy thing for a kid to be different in ANY way. And when Christian children are brought up believing that their way is the only way, and that all other children are going to hell, those OTHER children hear about that. And internalize it. So why should the American public school system foster that kind of attitude? Why not just say that school is not a place for relgion, any more than work is. If a co-worker started talking about Jesus at work, yea, he’d get talked to about that. Relgion does not belong in an office. Relgion does not belong in a school.
Reread my post, UncleBeer. Truth is TRUTH, regardless of whether or not anyone believes it. You certainly do exist, and I am glad that you do, I like you; and yes you are a child of God. It saddens me that you don’t believe in any God at all, but I respect your opinion on the matter. My opinion is just that, MY** opinion.
Trout Mask Replica, it may not be prohibited, but they allow no time to pray before class begins or a silent moment, nothing.Just, jump right into teaching.
I do agree with your last post, TMR, and I hope that I have never tried to ‘beat anyone over the head’ with my beliefs. I respect everyone’s right to believe in, or not believe in, whatever they so choose. I do not think any less of anyone for having views different from my own, and I hope that no one thinks less of me for same.
The differences of opinions is one of the main reasons I like this board so much. I have learned many things here, and I’ve been digesting a lot of food for thought.
You sing in my consciousness like a counterpoint to my life.
L.L.
I agree with you 100% Purplebear.
I’ve learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.
Truth may be truth, but the world described in the OP is not truth. It never existed, and who would want it to? Many, many people fought for a long time (and are still fighting) for equal rights, for safe, legal abortion, for freedom of religion (including the freedom not to have one), and for recognition of the fact that not every family fits into the same mold.
Excuse me, Mr. Moderator? It would appear that a Great Debate has arisen in the midst of all this mundanity.
SwimmingRiddles, you hit the nail on the head. I do not practice any religion. I am unsure as to the existance of any God. Logic tells me evolution has created this world. However, I AM a good person. (Really!!!) I treat everyone with respect. I say please, and obey the law. I teach my son manners and repect for authority. I don’t steal, and haven’t committed murder. Is society falling apart because I (am the millions who are just like me) don’t go to church every Sunday? I find that a little hard to believe!
Truth is an indivitual thing. It is not universal. Galileo was killed for discovering a truth the church wasn’t ready for.
School is for learning. It is not for praying. That’s what church is for. If a family wants to begin their day with a prayer, why can’t they do that in their own kitchen? I just don’t understand what possible place religion could have in schools, other than to teach tolerance.
This is wrong. You should speak to the principal about this.
But I have to disagree on this one; prayer must be done on the student’s own time, not class time.
And to which “Truth,” exactly, are you referring? There seem to be an awful lot of them out there…
Now, if you’re saying, “This country has lost its moral compass,” that might be a legitimate debate. But saying, “This country has lost its moral compass because we don’t all worship God” insults more folks than you can shake a stick at.
In the 1950’s, there may have been less gun-toting teenagers, but I would have been run out of town on a rail for who I loved. I’ll take today, thank you.
Esprix
D’oh! Serves me right for not reading the whole thread before posting. If this is more akin to your point, then I agree more than disagree.
I’ll still take today over then, with the caveat that both time periods need(ed) tweaking.
Esprix
Wow - very astute and responsible of you. I’m kind of in the same boat, so I agree with you - I want kids, but I know I’m not ready for them… yet. 
Esprix
If you are truly a believer, be it Christian, Buddhist, or whatever, I would hope that you would try to live it, 24/7. That means it’s a part of you, and it will show in some way, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, in all of your interactions with others. Work, school, doesn’t matter. I’m not a parttime Christian.
And, before someone says it, yes, I flirt on this board, I like to flirt. But, I never cross the line, everyone should by now know that I am married. And, my hubby knows about this board, and has no problem with what I say here.
I value everyone’s opinions. I have learned, and plan on continuing to learn from this place. I hope that my opinion may be of some worth to someone here, or at least offer food for thought.
You sing in my consciousness like a counterpoint to my life.
L.L.
You sing in my consciousness like a counterpoint to my life.
L.L.
“Truth is TRUTH, regardless of whether or not anyone believes it.”
“My opinion is just that, MY opinion.”
—So which one is it?
You may not be beating me over the head with this, but it’s still offensive that you feel that your belief is the only truth.
Eagles may soar, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines.
Delta-9 Home Page
It’s times like this that make me so happy that I’m a calm, quiet, non-pontificating agnostic (non-theist may actually be a better word). With calm, quiet, non-pontificating agnostic children. Hey, and guess what? They happen to be very good, upstanding kids, despite the fact that they don’t pray to your god or read your ancient little book. Could it be that parents are actually the ones that most influence their kids, and not some religious dogma from 2,000 years ago? Nah, that couldn’t be it. I must be lying about my kids, right? Yeah, that’s it. They’re really just a couple of little cretins, devoid of any and and all morals and values because I don’t take them down to the local Gods-R-Us every Sunday. Thanks a lot for the faith in my child raising abilities.
purplebear said: “And, not only can each and every one of us trace our roots back to Adam and Eve, but even more recently, to Noah, his wife, his three sons and their wives.”
Really? I’d love a link to that family tree. I’ve traced my lineage back pretty far, but I never knew about this. Please elaborate. With scientific fact, of course. (Yeah, I didn’t think so.)