Sunday, May 22, 2005
American Atheists // Public Schools
American Atheists // Public Schools
It seems to me that praying should be done in your local church - not at school. Simple - the fact is that our schools are full of a diverse population from many different religious backgrounds. While many are likely be christian, undoubtedly a few may be atheists, jewish, muslim, buddhist or have other beliefs that run counter to the way and the message of a group prayer in a school setting would be carried out. Children attending their church would be hearing the message their parent or they have chosen, not some generic multi-cultural saying that is sure to offend at least a few non-believers or other religion believers.
If the problems in schools are blamed on the fact that religion and prayer are not allowed at them anymore, I hasten to remind those ill-informed individuals that the home and church are where values and religion are taught. Arguably, church attendance or lack thereof could have an effect on adherence to the principles of a particular belief and may have the side effect of increased crime, teen pregnancy and the like. If people don't instill basic values and morals into their children's lives by whatever means and they don't control the content of what goes into their children's brains (e.g. suggestive or violent TV and Music), then whether schools have prayer in them makes little or no difference.
The society as a whole is less religious and you could argue this is a cause and effect - since the 1960's hippie culture, morals and such have declined in this country (the u.s.) and others western cultures. You could also argue that the years of oppressive religious control over the masses helped create the backlash and revolt of the 60's. Perhaps an enlightened view - one of taking personal responsibility for your actions, doing unto others as you wish done unto you, your body is a temple and don't destroy it vs. the doing things out of the fear of exclusion from heaven or acceptance from god. I follow these tenets as an atheist - the fact that I feel life - all life - is precious - because it is all we really have, this drives me to be more accepting and inclusive of others regardless of their religious or non-religious affiliation - and if this were to catch on, instead of the "my church and beliefs are better than or more right than your church and beliefs" mentality - perhaps the world could/would become a truly enlightened place where we all could really just get along.
Now, this may sound like some pollyanish (sp?) view - even simpleton - but often it is the simplest plan that is the best plan - and the one that makes the most sense. Call me foolish, naive - but I call it living a reasoned, reality based, atheistic way.
Cause and effect - yes, perhaps it is exactly what they want to put back into schools - religion - that has caused the rebellion - and they think that it is the answer to all the ills of society. I say start or keep teaching self-reliance, caring and giving of oneself to the greater good - society, instead of praying to some unknown, unseen god and "turning it over" to Him crap - how bout do something like stop feeling sorry for yourself and the miserable hand god dealt you and start working on a plan to make your life better. This isn't to say that positive affirmations, even praying don't benefit people - I am certain it helps a lot - but I still think it has the result of taking away responsibility and ownership of the issue. Nothing wrong with "letting go" of an issue to let it congeal and time to pass to make the solution more clear - does any of this make sense? I just mean own it, affirm it, plan it and then do it. Great plan of action. If God gets you there - then great. Just don't force me to recite your prayer in some pre-defined babble written by some unknown person centuries ago.
If we all start living in the present and teach responsbility and true cause and effect - not when you die - then the world will be a better place eventually. (Oh, by the way, I think the world is fine - it needs work - but we just have to work on it - one day at a time.
now here or no where 9:19 PM | (0) comments |
It seems to me that praying should be done in your local church - not at school. Simple - the fact is that our schools are full of a diverse population from many different religious backgrounds. While many are likely be christian, undoubtedly a few may be atheists, jewish, muslim, buddhist or have other beliefs that run counter to the way and the message of a group prayer in a school setting would be carried out. Children attending their church would be hearing the message their parent or they have chosen, not some generic multi-cultural saying that is sure to offend at least a few non-believers or other religion believers.
If the problems in schools are blamed on the fact that religion and prayer are not allowed at them anymore, I hasten to remind those ill-informed individuals that the home and church are where values and religion are taught. Arguably, church attendance or lack thereof could have an effect on adherence to the principles of a particular belief and may have the side effect of increased crime, teen pregnancy and the like. If people don't instill basic values and morals into their children's lives by whatever means and they don't control the content of what goes into their children's brains (e.g. suggestive or violent TV and Music), then whether schools have prayer in them makes little or no difference.
The society as a whole is less religious and you could argue this is a cause and effect - since the 1960's hippie culture, morals and such have declined in this country (the u.s.) and others western cultures. You could also argue that the years of oppressive religious control over the masses helped create the backlash and revolt of the 60's. Perhaps an enlightened view - one of taking personal responsibility for your actions, doing unto others as you wish done unto you, your body is a temple and don't destroy it vs. the doing things out of the fear of exclusion from heaven or acceptance from god. I follow these tenets as an atheist - the fact that I feel life - all life - is precious - because it is all we really have, this drives me to be more accepting and inclusive of others regardless of their religious or non-religious affiliation - and if this were to catch on, instead of the "my church and beliefs are better than or more right than your church and beliefs" mentality - perhaps the world could/would become a truly enlightened place where we all could really just get along.
Now, this may sound like some pollyanish (sp?) view - even simpleton - but often it is the simplest plan that is the best plan - and the one that makes the most sense. Call me foolish, naive - but I call it living a reasoned, reality based, atheistic way.
Cause and effect - yes, perhaps it is exactly what they want to put back into schools - religion - that has caused the rebellion - and they think that it is the answer to all the ills of society. I say start or keep teaching self-reliance, caring and giving of oneself to the greater good - society, instead of praying to some unknown, unseen god and "turning it over" to Him crap - how bout do something like stop feeling sorry for yourself and the miserable hand god dealt you and start working on a plan to make your life better. This isn't to say that positive affirmations, even praying don't benefit people - I am certain it helps a lot - but I still think it has the result of taking away responsibility and ownership of the issue. Nothing wrong with "letting go" of an issue to let it congeal and time to pass to make the solution more clear - does any of this make sense? I just mean own it, affirm it, plan it and then do it. Great plan of action. If God gets you there - then great. Just don't force me to recite your prayer in some pre-defined babble written by some unknown person centuries ago.
If we all start living in the present and teach responsbility and true cause and effect - not when you die - then the world will be a better place eventually. (Oh, by the way, I think the world is fine - it needs work - but we just have to work on it - one day at a time.
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