@HoTastic: We discriminate all the time, and it's not a bad thing. We discriminate against drug addicts, Satanists, terrorists, blue jeans vs. black jeans. Discrimination is another word for judgement. A society, and smaller sections of society, have the right to decide what is considered normal and acceptable. Normal behavior in WV is considered unacceptable in NYC, should it be banned here? If Christians make up 75% or more of the population, should they be prevented from expressing their beliefs in public? Do they not have a right to express themselves publicly? I doubt if a Buddhist showed up at a BOE meeting and asked if he could give a prayer to Buddha that he would be denied. If so, THAT would be discriminatory. But saying a prayer where the vast majority of the populace believes in the same god is not. There is a difference between allowing someone (or a group of someone's) to express their beliefs and requiring participation. No one is required to participate.
As an atheist, I don't have a problem with a short prayer. If the majority of the people in a given area are a certain religion, what harm can come from a simple prayer? It's simply a codified version of well wishing, what's the big deal? It seems that those who are offended by the practice actually believe that the god in question does indeed have some power over them. Instead of being such mean spirited religious bigots, why not let those who feel the need to say a prayer do so? You can have your own "moment of silence" while they are jabbering on. Seriously, why all the hatred for these ignorant people? Maybe they need the comfort of their gods. How does it hurt you if you are a non-believer?
@snorks: There is NOT a separation between church and state. There IS a separation between Church (as in a very specific sect of religion) and federal. The ONLY ban on religion is on the federal level. Each state used to be free to make their own decisions. Most Americans frowned upon the idea of a state establishing an official religion, but it certainly wasn't, and isn't, illegal. Unless of course you are the type who would like to re-establish the old European aristocracy, which we have been doing for some time, just with different names. Prayer was ruled unconstitutional simply for the fact that state BOE get money from the relatively newly established FEDERAL BOE and because activist judges are rewriting what "constitutional" means in this country.
I'm not really sure they should open up this can of worms. They are trying to have prayer added to meetings by citing that it happens in municipal meetings in this area all the time. I vote we remove prayer from those meetings as well. Replace it with a moment of silence. There is a separation of church and state. If the Christians are offended by that, they can join the other religions that are offended by the prayers they offer up without regard.
If they are going to pray, I hope they offer one to the gods of all major religions. Otherwise it could be construed as discrimination. I believe they have a moment of silence. That should give others ample time to say a silent prayer without offending others.
TwoLane
@HoTastic: We discriminate all the time, and it's not a bad thing. We discriminate against drug addicts, Satanists, terrorists, blue jeans vs. black jeans. Discrimination is another word for judgement. A society, and smaller sections of society, have the right to decide what is considered normal and acceptable. Normal behavior in WV is considered unacceptable in NYC, should it be banned here? If Christians make up 75% or more of the population, should they be prevented from expressing their beliefs in public? Do they not have a right to express themselves publicly? I doubt if a Buddhist showed up at a BOE meeting and asked if he could give a prayer to Buddha that he would be denied. If so, THAT would be discriminatory. But saying a prayer where the vast majority of the populace believes in the same god is not. There is a difference between allowing someone (or a group of someone's) to express their beliefs and requiring participation. No one is required to participate.
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TwoLane
As an atheist, I don't have a problem with a short prayer. If the majority of the people in a given area are a certain religion, what harm can come from a simple prayer? It's simply a codified version of well wishing, what's the big deal? It seems that those who are offended by the practice actually believe that the god in question does indeed have some power over them. Instead of being such mean spirited religious bigots, why not let those who feel the need to say a prayer do so? You can have your own "moment of silence" while they are jabbering on. Seriously, why all the hatred for these ignorant people? Maybe they need the comfort of their gods. How does it hurt you if you are a non-believer?
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TwoLane
@snorks: There is NOT a separation between church and state. There IS a separation between Church (as in a very specific sect of religion) and federal. The ONLY ban on religion is on the federal level. Each state used to be free to make their own decisions. Most Americans frowned upon the idea of a state establishing an official religion, but it certainly wasn't, and isn't, illegal. Unless of course you are the type who would like to re-establish the old European aristocracy, which we have been doing for some time, just with different names. Prayer was ruled unconstitutional simply for the fact that state BOE get money from the relatively newly established FEDERAL BOE and because activist judges are rewriting what "constitutional" means in this country.
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RightontheMark
I can't believe this is even up for discussion.
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snorks
I'm not really sure they should open up this can of worms. They are trying to have prayer added to meetings by citing that it happens in municipal meetings in this area all the time. I vote we remove prayer from those meetings as well. Replace it with a moment of silence. There is a separation of church and state. If the Christians are offended by that, they can join the other religions that are offended by the prayers they offer up without regard.
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blogger57
Prayer at Boards of Education meetings has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
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HoTastic
If they are going to pray, I hope they offer one to the gods of all major religions. Otherwise it could be construed as discrimination. I believe they have a moment of silence. That should give others ample time to say a silent prayer without offending others.
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