*Three of Diamonds*
Note: As I might have mentioned before on my Livejournal and in other places, I am an atheist. However, I have lately become more and more interested in religion for one reason or another, and specifically Catholicism. Maybe the ritual and tradition of it appeals to my nature in some way, but either way I’m staying on the fence when it comes to religion. But School prayer has also been in the subconscious of my ever increasingly insane brain lately, so I figure it’s time to let my feelings be known on the subject.
We begin this week’s post with a little ditty I call, an Associated Press article taken from Lexus Nexus. This comes from Athens, where the University of Georgia is located and the home of this particular poem. It was written November 29, 2004.
A high school principal apologized Monday for reading a poem called "The New School
Prayer" over the school's intercom, which brought complaints from some parents who said it violated the principle of separation of church and state.
Tommy Craft said he wanted not to promote religion but to provoke thought and discussion among students about the changing political climate in school when he read the poem the Tuesday before the Thanksgiving break.
"I apologized to them today in another statement," Craft said. "I said that there was no attempt to individualize or to bring ridicule on any particular person with the poem."
The poem, which has circulated on the Internet since at least 1992, is written in the rhyming style of the children's prayer that begins "Now I lay me down to sleep." It refers to prayer not being allowed in school, although students can "dress like freaks, and pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks" or "elect a pregnant Senior Queen."
The poem mentions the ability to get condoms and birth control, as well as study "witchcraft, vampires and totem poles."
"But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, no word of God must reach this crowd," the poem says.
Some parents have complained to both Craft and the Clarke County School Superintendent Lewis Holloway.
"Basically, I found the poem offensive, but even if I didn't, I still would believe it crossed the line between church and state," said Ginger Smith, whose daughter is a junior at Cedar Shoals High School.
Holloway said the district had received "several calls" from people who were upset about the poem. He would not discuss any action taken against Craft.
Here’s the original poem:
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 anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a 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 me 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!
Amen
Look at the two individual things taken apart. The story is about how parents in a fairly sizeable college town in the middle of Georgia are unhappy about the above poem being read to their children, or really teenagers, in school.
Here’s what I have a problem with: people thinking that religion in schools is unconstitutional, and prayer is not allowed. Prayer is allowed, but not forced prayer. That’s reserved for private institutions that receive no state of federal funding. It’s not that I have a problem with people praying in general, I just don’t like it being shoved down my throat. It is the same thing with all of this God crap all over money and in the pledge of allegiance. But really, does anyone know where the pledge came from? I’ll tell you.
The pledge came from a Baptist preacher, of all people named Francis Bellamy who died in 1931. It was changed three times, in 1923, 1924, and 1954. The latest change added “under god” to the pledge. I’ve heard in school and during many debates in government class that this was added to separate ourselves from the Soviets during the early stages of the Cold War because they were not a “god-fearing people.” Which if we know anything about Orthodox Christianity, then we know the Russians are definitely god-fearing people. Their political ideals of that time did not allow for any religion to flourish in the Soviet Union, and thus it was considered atheist and evil. Which is why the pledge of allegiance has the “under god” phrase in it.
This of course, goes in line with religion in schools and ultimately prayer. It is stated in the first amendment that we have and I quote completely:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Notice the “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” line in the first amendment, and let me make some explanations that might help anyone. Mind you, I’m no Constitutional expert, but I’ve done enough study on the subject to have my bona fides, i.e. I was on a government team which one the Southeast championship. So thus, I think I can speak on the matter.
The way this statement is structured is that the government, in respects to exercise of religion, can’t stop it from happening. It also cannot establish an official state religion, or any belief thereof without sanction from the people. So if the people say, decided to amend the Constitution to allow the protestant sect called Baptists become the official federal religion of the United States, it would have to pass through many forms of bills, laws, votes, and then a referendum by the people. None of this would ever happen of course, unless the country went out of its mind.
This also means that prayer of ANY form, whether it be to Allah, Buddha, Jehovah, Christ or any other god is not allowed in any official capacity. Children still reserve the right to pray silently in school, even in a group that is unofficial and not sponsored at all by anyone, unless they encroach on the rights of others around them in any capacity. And this is where things begin to get a bit tricky: where do we draw the line? Do we allow children to pray if they want to, or do we not?
One of my big issues has always been the Fellowship of Christian Athletes that seems to be popping up on every campus in the United States. They have a faculty advisor, but are not officially sponsored by the school in any form or capacity. They receive the benefits that other clubs receive. But if we try to say, form a Wicca club on a high school campus in the United States, it would typically be given the cold shoulder. Now, this is obviously not the official policy of any school, since clubs must be given equal rights and opportunities as any other. But, what faculty member in their right mind is going to sponsor such a club. And this where I get to why I feel schools practice a form of hypocrisy in this nation.
Schools are supposed to be a station of learning for all persons, no matter what religion, race, creed, or sex they are. It doesn’t matter if you are a homosexual or not, or believe in Catholicism or the practices of Wicca. Schools are supposed to be open to all things, good or bad. And schools, specifically in my experience, do not follow these rules. Especially since Columbine occurred in 1999, leaving a whole new generation of students with a stricter, and unbendable rules. Because schools have become this way out of fear of their own students, it leaves them no longer open to anything, and thus problems are generally created inside of the schools.
It doesn’t help that schools are losing money in most areas, and being under funded by state governments that suddenly find themselves without a generous revenue stream, such as the lottery. At least, this is what has happened in Alabama. As more and more problems pile up on schools, they find less and less incentive to allow their students have any form of freedom. And now, we are stuck in a situation that will take years to fix.
But what is the problem with praying in a school?
If it’s done in private, with your head down and silently, then I have no problem with it. But don’t force the issue with “moments of silence” or the Christian Fellowship of Athletes. I’m glad that these students feel they have a positive influence in their lives with religion, but don’t force it on others who do not want that positive feeling. We don’t appreciate it, and this is why you see Supreme Court cases that involve ridiculous issues such as school prayer.
Pray all you want to, in my opinion, we’re all going to hell anyhow.
We begin this week’s post with a little ditty I call, an Associated Press article taken from Lexus Nexus. This comes from Athens, where the University of Georgia is located and the home of this particular poem. It was written November 29, 2004.
A high school principal apologized Monday for reading a poem called "The New School
Prayer" over the school's intercom, which brought complaints from some parents who said it violated the principle of separation of church and state.
Tommy Craft said he wanted not to promote religion but to provoke thought and discussion among students about the changing political climate in school when he read the poem the Tuesday before the Thanksgiving break.
"I apologized to them today in another statement," Craft said. "I said that there was no attempt to individualize or to bring ridicule on any particular person with the poem."
The poem, which has circulated on the Internet since at least 1992, is written in the rhyming style of the children's prayer that begins "Now I lay me down to sleep." It refers to prayer not being allowed in school, although students can "dress like freaks, and pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks" or "elect a pregnant Senior Queen."
The poem mentions the ability to get condoms and birth control, as well as study "witchcraft, vampires and totem poles."
"But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, no word of God must reach this crowd," the poem says.
Some parents have complained to both Craft and the Clarke County School Superintendent Lewis Holloway.
"Basically, I found the poem offensive, but even if I didn't, I still would believe it crossed the line between church and state," said Ginger Smith, whose daughter is a junior at Cedar Shoals High School.
Holloway said the district had received "several calls" from people who were upset about the poem. He would not discuss any action taken against Craft.
Here’s the original poem:
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 anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a 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 me 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!
Amen
Look at the two individual things taken apart. The story is about how parents in a fairly sizeable college town in the middle of Georgia are unhappy about the above poem being read to their children, or really teenagers, in school.
Here’s what I have a problem with: people thinking that religion in schools is unconstitutional, and prayer is not allowed. Prayer is allowed, but not forced prayer. That’s reserved for private institutions that receive no state of federal funding. It’s not that I have a problem with people praying in general, I just don’t like it being shoved down my throat. It is the same thing with all of this God crap all over money and in the pledge of allegiance. But really, does anyone know where the pledge came from? I’ll tell you.
The pledge came from a Baptist preacher, of all people named Francis Bellamy who died in 1931. It was changed three times, in 1923, 1924, and 1954. The latest change added “under god” to the pledge. I’ve heard in school and during many debates in government class that this was added to separate ourselves from the Soviets during the early stages of the Cold War because they were not a “god-fearing people.” Which if we know anything about Orthodox Christianity, then we know the Russians are definitely god-fearing people. Their political ideals of that time did not allow for any religion to flourish in the Soviet Union, and thus it was considered atheist and evil. Which is why the pledge of allegiance has the “under god” phrase in it.
This of course, goes in line with religion in schools and ultimately prayer. It is stated in the first amendment that we have and I quote completely:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Notice the “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” line in the first amendment, and let me make some explanations that might help anyone. Mind you, I’m no Constitutional expert, but I’ve done enough study on the subject to have my bona fides, i.e. I was on a government team which one the Southeast championship. So thus, I think I can speak on the matter.
The way this statement is structured is that the government, in respects to exercise of religion, can’t stop it from happening. It also cannot establish an official state religion, or any belief thereof without sanction from the people. So if the people say, decided to amend the Constitution to allow the protestant sect called Baptists become the official federal religion of the United States, it would have to pass through many forms of bills, laws, votes, and then a referendum by the people. None of this would ever happen of course, unless the country went out of its mind.
This also means that prayer of ANY form, whether it be to Allah, Buddha, Jehovah, Christ or any other god is not allowed in any official capacity. Children still reserve the right to pray silently in school, even in a group that is unofficial and not sponsored at all by anyone, unless they encroach on the rights of others around them in any capacity. And this is where things begin to get a bit tricky: where do we draw the line? Do we allow children to pray if they want to, or do we not?
One of my big issues has always been the Fellowship of Christian Athletes that seems to be popping up on every campus in the United States. They have a faculty advisor, but are not officially sponsored by the school in any form or capacity. They receive the benefits that other clubs receive. But if we try to say, form a Wicca club on a high school campus in the United States, it would typically be given the cold shoulder. Now, this is obviously not the official policy of any school, since clubs must be given equal rights and opportunities as any other. But, what faculty member in their right mind is going to sponsor such a club. And this where I get to why I feel schools practice a form of hypocrisy in this nation.
Schools are supposed to be a station of learning for all persons, no matter what religion, race, creed, or sex they are. It doesn’t matter if you are a homosexual or not, or believe in Catholicism or the practices of Wicca. Schools are supposed to be open to all things, good or bad. And schools, specifically in my experience, do not follow these rules. Especially since Columbine occurred in 1999, leaving a whole new generation of students with a stricter, and unbendable rules. Because schools have become this way out of fear of their own students, it leaves them no longer open to anything, and thus problems are generally created inside of the schools.
It doesn’t help that schools are losing money in most areas, and being under funded by state governments that suddenly find themselves without a generous revenue stream, such as the lottery. At least, this is what has happened in Alabama. As more and more problems pile up on schools, they find less and less incentive to allow their students have any form of freedom. And now, we are stuck in a situation that will take years to fix.
But what is the problem with praying in a school?
If it’s done in private, with your head down and silently, then I have no problem with it. But don’t force the issue with “moments of silence” or the Christian Fellowship of Athletes. I’m glad that these students feel they have a positive influence in their lives with religion, but don’t force it on others who do not want that positive feeling. We don’t appreciate it, and this is why you see Supreme Court cases that involve ridiculous issues such as school prayer.
Pray all you want to, in my opinion, we’re all going to hell anyhow.