'The New School Prayer'

[TwistofFate]

am I the only one that thinks the image of the school child talked about in the poem is a little like “Children of the Corn”?

everyone with the same haircuts, same grey flannel shorts, white shirts and bible under the arm?

[system]

This is fascinating–Gordon Liddy, the American Atheists, and the Mormons all have this poem posted on their websites.

First, let’s hear the Mormon version.
http://www.aspiring-community.com/files/violence-now-i-sit-me-down.html

Written by a 12 year-old in Boston:
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.
Anytime my head I bow
Becomes a federal matter now.
The law is specific; the law is precise.
Praying out loud is no longer nice.
Praying aloud in a public hall
Upsets those who believe in nothing at all.
In silence alone we can meditate
and if God should get the credit–great!
They are bringing their guns,
I don’t dare bring my Bible,
To do so might make me liable.
So, now Oh Lord, this plea I make;
Should I be shot in school,
My soul please take.
God Bless America!
whisper …please?

They’ve left out all the “icky” stuff about orange hair and unwed fathers.

Next, let’s hear the American Atheists’ version.
http://www.atheists.org/family/html/prayer_poems.html

The New School Prayer
>>
>> 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 any time my head I bow
>> Becomes a federal matter now
>> Our hair can be purple, orange, or green
>> That’s no offense, it’s the 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 us 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.
>>
>> Author Unknown

G. Gordon Liddy’s version, for some reason, has left off the quotation marks around “inappropriate” and “judgements” but is otherwise identical to the American Atheists’ version.
http://www.rtis.com/nat/pol/liddy/poem.htm

Is it just me, or is this all really scary? The Mormons AND the atheists, with the same poem?

[kaylasdad99]

Notthemama shared:

This is fascinating–Gordon Liddy, the American Atheists, and the Mormons all have this poem posted on their websites.

And Paul Harvey doesn’t?

Wow.

[neuro-trash_grrrl]

I’ve ruined it now, but up until this point, we had a sequential thread thing going:

Metallica is now officially…
‘The New School Prayer’

And andros, yes, I had that dubious distinction. I take it you are familiar with the school to which I refer.

[system]

KaylasDad, I don’t see where Paul Harvey has an official website. Does he?

[andros]

NTG: Well, I think so, but I’m not sure, honestly, and I’m very embarassed about it. I’ve been out of state for ten years now (and have to mail-order my Hatch green). I spent my seven in the big school with all the brick and the monster endowment–same one?

Dammit, I’ve blocked so much high school out of my mind, I can’t even remember if we said grace.

-andros-