(no subject)

[jackofallgeeks]

A dear friend of mine sent me the following in an e-mail recently, saying I'd prolly enjoy it.
Mark that up as one of the great understatements of the year. ^^



This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLoud, on September 1, 2000. I thought it was worth sharing with the world and hope you will forward it to all your friends. It shows clearly just how far this country has gone in the wrong direction.



It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football
games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and
Country.

Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a
Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this
time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and
call it, "an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and
calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility, to present the merits of killing an
unborn baby, as a "viable means of birth control." If someone is offended,
no problem.

I can designate a school day as, "Earth Day" and involve students in
activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess, "Mother Earth,"
and call it "ecology."

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that
depict people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as, "simple
minded" and "ignorant" and call it, "enlightenment."

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor God, and to ask Him to
bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law
is violated.

This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.
Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except God
and His Commandments.

Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students
to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do
otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I
suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not
need to add an intentional transgression.

For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and
refrain from praying at this time.

However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God, and ask
Him, in the name of Jesus, to bless this event, please feel free to do so.
As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with
one another, and began to pray.


Disclaimer: I shouldn't need to say this, and it's quite...ironic that I might think to. I believe whole-heartedly in the above statement. i think many here would take that as obvious. however, I know there are a few of you out there who, for one reason or another, disagree with one or more of the claims made. That being as it may, I consider you all - from Suri to Nif to Mel to Claire to Rae to Beth and on - very dear friends, and respect your opinions. If you can't see the logic in that, please just accept it. I'd like to think we can see eye-to-eye, even when we don't.
Just consider the above MY take on things, yes?

Comments

[dreamingaloud.livejournal.com]

This doesn't go directly with the above, but rather is a thought I had that is connected to the subject of religion and the freedom of it, etc. I think I see both sides in that... people who feel the need and wish to say a prayer or do something religious such as that and are told by law that it's wrong... they feel hurt, attacked, like their rights have been taken away. And they have. It gets into a scary area when someone cannot honor their religion or beliefs in a non-violent manner that isn't involved or concerning anyone but themselves.

But, on the flipside, I myself have felt horribly uncomfortable by public group displays of religion where non-religious people were also gathered (if that makes sense and you're still with me, you're amazing, Andrew! ^__^;; ..). I feel .. well, guilty isn't the right word. But... weird.. that public religious things are taking place where I have to be and yet, it is not something I believe in. It makes me feel like, for some things, I cannot be there. The feeling could probably be compared to, say, my asking you to come to a Wiccan/Pagan event. It is not what you believe, you'd probably feel weird and the experience would leave you with a very bad taste.

I feel that everyone should have the freedom to believe what they want as long as it's not harmful in any way. I have seen religious extremes - as well as other extremes - go too far and end up harming other people. Nothing about that is right or good... and while I am not religious, I cannot believe there is anything in any valid religion that says to hate each other or make each other's lives difficult. That's by any means.

I respect what you believe, Andrew. As I respect what Leslie believes, and all of my other friends... who have such a faith in religion. I admire that faith and as long as it doesn't turn to nasty fighting, name calling and put downs... that's wonderful. Because.. really.. religion or not, we're not alive for very long. The span of a human life is as short as the blink of an eye when you look at the larger picture. And what really matters is that for the time we are here, we get along - make meaningful connections to the people around us, try to understand each other - grow together - and love one another.

Whooo. Didn't mean to ramble. Maybe I should delete this comment later. I don't mean to start a big debate. Just to voice a thought (or series of them) that I was having in distant relation to the subject at hand.

::goes back into hiding::

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

Firstly, I forbid you from deleting this comment, Mel. ^___^ It's in MY journal, and I like it.

Secondly, I have to say again that, though you don't say much, when you DO say something, what you say is both...meaningful and understandable. ^^

That being said... I think I can see what your saying. You would feel "out of place" at, say, a Catholic Mass. I suppose it would be awkward to go to school and have a morning prayer. But... I don't get it. No disrespect intended, but I don't see why if people are uncomfortable they can't, at the least, just stand there quietly and respect the.... well, you can see, I'm sure, what I'm saying, even if I can't say it. ><* I'm rather inarticulate.

I think I almost completely agree with you, Mel, which goes a LONG way to improve my mood right now.

And, for the record, I'd be interested in going to said pagan gathering. Even if I don't agree with them, I think I could appreciate it. And, in the end, if someone leads a good life, what right does anyone have to judge?

(::Looks back on this and winces:: I'm so inarticulate.)

[surichan.livejournal.com]

That was actually quite nice, and I agree wholeheartedly with both that and what Mel had to say. It does go both ways. People should be free to believe what they will, without interferance from others, so long as they do not infringe upon the beliefs of anyone else. I don't want anyone, ever, telling me that I cannot be free to worship God. Therefore, I will never tell anyone that I feel the way they are practicing (or not practicing) any given religion is wrong. Living the best life one can is the all-important thing, no matter what one believes in.

:-P

[starlight1184.livejournal.com]

Thought you may like that. Glad you did. I liked it too. I'm too tired and jet-lagged to write any more of a response than that. :-)