Comments on: School Prayer Bill Passes Senate, Heads To House

By: huh

huh — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:52:25 +0000

Your kids can pray in school all day, all they want quietly to themselves. Why must you force everyone else to hear it? Or be a part of it?

As for why its law

‘The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The Supreme Court did not consider the question of how this applied to the states until 1947; when they did, in Everson v. Board of Education,”

By: Thinker

Thinker — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:30:48 +0000

Ask yourself why this insistence on shared prayer spoken out loud? This is a power play by the religious right, plain and simple. Silent prayer, private prayer, once-a-day prayer at home, all these are acceptable (and yes, accepted “back in the day”). Respect for the diversity of thought in our schools MUST be a priority. If the Christian God exists then silent prayers are heard also.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:31:37 +0000

REGARDING:
“Even a great thinker such as Jefferson was can be mistaken from time to time. Remember your history. Jefferson believed in “states rights” and that they had the right to withdraw from the union if the federals gained too much power”

Jefferson was right. Some states did withdraw. The remaining states made war on them and conquered them and forced them to agree to not withdraw again as a term for ending occupation.

Lincoln pretended it was a civil war, but the Radical Republicans understood it was a war between states, or nations and when Lincoln was removed from life, they had free rein. To the victor go the spoils.

David in the aftermath

By: dgh

dgh — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:41:18 +0000

@considerthis:
It is in the first amendment and was highly debated during its development for there were those who wanted to put religion in government as it was in England, but some knew the problems with doing so. The problem is today people commonly say ’separation of church and state’ which is not the wording of the first amendment but it is its intent, and Jefferson stated in his letter to the Baptist in explaining the first amendment. Imagine if we had selected a religion to establish in government it would have probably been a Puritan or Quaker style of Protestant religion. The Baptist of the day supported the separation for they knew it was to their detriment to do otherwise.

First Amendment:
“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.”

By: BarrineauParkDad

BarrineauParkDad — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:41:46 +0000

Any Christian who is interested in following the example of Christ will not be drawn in to public demonstrations of “faith”, but will reserve their devotion for privacy.

BPD for as it should be

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:26:47 +0000

This is nothing more than a ploy to get politician’s names in the news. In the 50’s when I was in elementary school, we said the pledge every morning. One boy (Jehovah’s Witness) would not stand or say it. No one thought anything of it. No one that I know of even cared.
If you want to pray, (since obviously God doesn’t know your need unless you tell him whats good for you) go for it. Might want to do your homework and a little study as a backup.

By: considerthis

considerthis — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:17:00 +0000

I’m sure it is possible that some the founding fathers were not Christian. That would explain why they felt it necessary to protect the rights of citizens whose beliefs differed from their own. As I didn’t personally know any of them, I can’t say what their beliefs in their God was. I do know, by the legislation they passed, they respected faiths, or lack thereof, other than their own. This shows a tolerance that would be uncommon in todays world for people with different ideals.

As far as Jeffersons’ letter to the Danbury Baptist. This is a letter expresses one mans’ opinion and is in no way a legal document. Perhaps the Federal courts should pay a little more attention to the constitution and less to personal opinions. Even a great thinker such a Jefferson was can be mistaken from time to time. Remember you history. Jefferson believed in “states rights” and that they had the right to withdraw from the union if the federals gained too much power.

By: NotAgain

NotAgain — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:05:16 +0000

“…and I believe in God’s command to ‘love thy neighbor as thyself.’” – Barack Obama – Nation Prayer Breakfast – February 2nd, 2012

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:03:04 +0000

REGARDING:
“You say no place that accepts US tax dollars can sponsor a religion? Are you saying Bible book stores, Churches (yes they accept your tax dollars for Missions)), NASCAR (they have an invocation before every race), this is just to name a few cannot sponsor a religion?”

Just a guess, but huh probably means organizations which accept money from the government, not payment in US dollars. Note that huh said “USA tax dollars,” that is money which was paid in taxes and is therefore a government payment.

The general idea is that the government can not give money to religious organizations for the purpose of furthering their religious beliefs. If they did, we would want opposing religions sponsored, some would want Christianity sponsored, some would want Islam, some would want Scientology. Even within the subset of Christianity, some would want Catholicism sponsored, others would want Unitarians sponsored, some would favor Mormonism (assume it applies). Most would be opposed to a particular sponsorship unless it happened to be their own. And I shouldn’t want nonbelievers forced to pay for the support of my church or any other.

Far better to let each pay or not pay for personal preference and definitely don’t say, “Well, 51% favor Wicca and 49% don’t — so your taxes will pay for Wiccan services.”

David for avoiding entanglements,
lest religion mirror government
to its detriment

By: DJSheffield

DJSheffield — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:49:09 +0000

KUDOS “MICHELLE D!”

That is what’s wrong with our country today so many have taken “CHRISTIANITY” out of the land of the free. I pray that the House will PASS the bill which will allow “PRAYER” once again in our school system and school functions. If you do NOT like it, then get up and leave. This country was founded on “CHRISTIANITY”, therefore why should we have to sacrifice our beliefs to suit everyone else. They have their beliefs and religion, so why can’t the AMERICANS? We certainly don’t go over to their country and try to change things such as their culture and/or beliefs! We either become accustom to them or we leave.

I am NOT opposed to anyone practicing their religion or beliefs by any means, because they are entitled to that. My problem is why do they continuously try to change our country to fit their needs. Why can’t we all just agree to disagree and respect each other’s beliefs and/or religion?

“IN GOD I TRUST!”