91% of America Believes in God

[Missileman]

Bad analogy. Not allowing SILENT prayer in schools is akin to not allowing me to THINK. Period. Nothing's stopping them from doing it. But why do you find it necessary to make it ILLEGAL for kids to be quiet for half a minute?
Prayer doesn't HAVE to be performed in school, but who are you to tell me that I CAN'T pray when and where i want?

I find it hard to believe that you think kids are being prevented from praying silently because the school doesn't designate the prayer time. Your argument is illogical. If a kid is sitting quietly, who's to know if he or she is praying or not.

[Missileman]

I've already stated that I think it's counter-productive...but who are you to tell me what to say in public?

Where did I say you can't say whatever you wish? All I said was I don't have to listen to it.

[Missileman]

Who cares why they want to do it in school? The fact is, they do, and can't. That is infringement of their right to freedom of religious expression.

This is as untrue as when Grunt said it. Children are not being prevented from praying silently in school, it's as impossible as preventing someone from daydreaming.

[grunt]

I find it hard to believe that you think kids are being prevented from praying silently because the school doesn't designate the prayer time. Your argument is illogical. If a kid is sitting quietly, who's to know if he or she is praying or not.

I don't. I just don't think it should be up to the Government to decide if a school should have "silent time" or not. It should be left up to a vote of the parents and students of that school. (Students if it's High School, just parents if younger)

[Missileman]

I don't. I just don't think it should be up to the Government to decide if a school should have "silent time" or not. It should be left up to a vote of the parents and students of that school. (Students if it's High School, just parents if younger)

So your hangup is on the lack of a designated "moment of silence". Since we agree that this lack in no way effects the kids ability to have their silent prayer, the purpose of the moment is what exactly?

[grunt]

So your hangup is on the lack of a designated "moment of silence". Since we agree that this lack in no way effects the kids ability to have their silent prayer, the purpose of the moment is what exactly?

No, my problem is the Government TRYING to prevent kids from praying silently in school. I mean, for hwat other reasons would they not want a "silent time". Can you give me some other reason, legitimate reason, why you think they shouldn't have a silent time?

[Missileman]

No, my problem is the Government TRYING to prevent kids from praying silently in school. I mean, for hwat other reasons would they not want a "silent time". Can you give me some other reason, legitimate reason, why you think they shouldn't have a silent time?

You didn't answer my question. If kids are indeed NOT being prevented from praying by the lack of a designated moment of silence, why is this designated moment required? I'd like to hear a legitimate reason why a religious practice (ceremony?) should be included in the public school schedule if it has no impact on kid's ability to pray silently while in school.

[Nuc]

Here in Australia it's arguably as much a "Christian" population as the States, but they don't mix politics and religion anywhere near as much. People seem to realize that religion is a personal matter and that you can't force your religion on other people, especially not through politics. I must say it's much better that way. People can't agree on religion or politics, mixing them is like a speedball. Only an addict would think it's a good thing.

[theHawk]

If the Bible were the only document ever in which murder was established to be wrong you might have a point.

So, if there is some other document out there outside of the Bible that establishes certain behaviors as wrong, then you won't say its religion pushing its morals on everyone else?

Is the Bible the only document in the world that condemns homosexuality? If not, then how could you say an anti-homosexual stance on issues is an example of pushing religion on others?

[Missileman]

[QUOTE=theHawk;33882]So, if there is some other document out there outside of the Bible that establishes certain behaviors as wrong, then you won't say its religion pushing its morals on everyone else?

There are, for the most part, universally accepted laws against murder, theft of another's property, perjury, etc. The prohibition of these offenses is not unique to any religion or society. There are however lots of blue laws still on the books that were put in place to do nothing other than push morals.

Is the Bible the only document in the world that condemns homosexuality? If not, then how could you say an anti-homosexual stance on issues is an example of pushing religion on others?

Where did I say this?

[Hagbard Celine]

I suppose things aren't quite as bad as they may seem. It sure shows groups like Americans for Separation of Church and State to be in the distinct minority.

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The latest Newsweek poll found 91 percent of American adults say they believe in God and nearly half rejects the scientific theory of evolution.

Despite concerns over rising secularism in the country, Christians still far outnumber any other faith group. According to the poll, released on Friday, 82 percent of American adults identify themselves as Christian. Religious non-Christians make up only 5 percent of the public.

Poll results come months after Time magazine reported 66 percent of American have no doubts God exists while 11 percent believe in God but has some doubts. The Time report also revealed more than 85 percent of Americans follow a Christian faith.

Link

Sorry but I don't think the fact that 91 percent of Americans believe in God automatically means they'd support prayer in schools. In a related story, radical Muslims who adhere to Shariah law do support prayer in schools...

[5stringJeff]

Sorry but I don't think the fact that 91 percent of Americans believe in God automatically means they'd support prayer in schools. In a related story, radical Muslims who adhere to Shariah law do support prayer in schools...

And in a related story, Muslims are against theft and murder. If we don't allow people to steal and kill all they want, then the terrorists have already won, eh?

[Hagbard Celine]

And in a related story, Muslims are against theft and murder. If we don't allow people to steal and kill all they want, then the terrorists have already won, eh?

Bad example. All people are against theft and murder. Try again.

[theHawk]

Where did I say this?

You didn't, I am trying to understand your logic though.
The "you" was meant more for people in general who say religious people are "pushing their morals onto them", such as homosexual issues, gay marriage, abortion ect.
What I don't understand is how you can say I have "no point" about my example of murder because the Bible is not the only source to condemn murder. You imply that if multiple documents outside of the Bible share the same moral values, then it isn't an example of religion pushing its morals.

[Missileman]

You didn't, I am trying to understand your logic though.
The "you" was meant more for people in general who say religious people are "pushing their morals onto them", such as homosexual issues, gay marriage, abortion ect.
What I don't understand is how you can say I have "no point" about my example of murder because the Bible is not the only source to condemn murder. You imply that if multiple documents outside of the Bible share the same moral values, then it isn't an example of religion pushing its morals.

Murder, universally accepted by nearly every human being as a taboo, is not a religious moral just because it's listed in the Bible. IMO, religious morals are those that fall outside the universally acccepted, morals like those of the Ten Commandments that don't deal with killing, stealing, and perjury.

Blue laws are perfect examples of forced compliance with religious morals. The commandment to keep the sabbath holy led to prohibition of alcohol sales on Sundays.