So starting next week, I may be part of a movement to

Spoiler

No, not usually, but the point still stands.

Yes, there are other religions that believe in the same God despite not being Christian (such as the Jews). However, as I said, the prayers prayed before most events are said from the Christian standpoint, including Jesus more times than not. I'm saying this as a Christian myself (albeit I don't agree with most social issues of the church, or everything in the Bible), I don't think one belief needs to be set above others. The problem lately is that in a country that is historically more slanted toward Christian beliefs, things like prayer before events and God's name being in state legislative is being questioned. This obviously causes a rift between people who think their rights are being taken away, people who want to make it a level field (moment os silence for instance), and people who just want to watch the world burn.

 

I agree.

It actually sometimes seems pointless to fight all of this at times, because, no matter how much America stands for freedom of religion, the citizens(religious and non-religious) make it really difficult to follow through with it, because the media-important Christian majority believes that anyone who tries to make things equal are against religion, and then anyone who just wants their own beliefs to be acknowledged instead of just Christians, get treated like cross-burning communists, and so on, and on, and on.

Anyone else, such as the fair, respectful, forgiving Christians, and the people who are neutral on the subject just get ignored, because of the main argument.

I just re-read what I posted, and it hardly makes sense, my thoughts are jumbled right now because I'm tired, but essentially I'm agreeing with you about everyone thinking they're having their rights taken away when the law favors one belief over another, even if it is law.

 

Keyword : Christian.

I suppose the other campus Boy Wonder mentioned is this one :
http://www.wmctv.com/story/19511205/utc-switches-to-silent-moment-not-prayer-at-games

They switched to a generic moment of silence. Happy ?

 

What about it proves it's Christian?

 

I already stated that they did.. this being actual proof of my statement. My "happiness" level with the outcome is irrelevant though.

 

You mean just like Christians and Catholics do by not allowing gay people to be married? Telling people that they'll burn in hell if they don't give money to people who wear funny hats and robes? Not allowing women to get abortions? By preaching abstinence? You want to talk about oppression? You're defending the one of the worst oppressive organizations, one that's still accepted in society because all these people follow these ridiculous dogmas. I'm an agnostic just like you, but I'm not blind to all the awful things religious believers have done to the world.

No one is arguing with you when you say that people should believe what they want and pray when they want, it's when a government run place stops progress of an event to pray to a god that a good bit of people don't believe in. Why don't we pray to Allah too? Why don't we read some passages from Sonam Gyatso while we're at it? The United States is supposed to separate church from state, and you and I both know that that isn't the case.

Except currency is something we use everyday, and we don't worship it. Singing the national anthem is perfectly fine because this is our country, and we honor the men and women who have died fighting for it. There's a difference between paying respects to people who you know have affected you directly, and thanking someone for life, when there's not a single person on this planet that can prove his existence.

Don't play dumb. You know exactly who they were praying to.

 

I could not possibly say, you' d have to ask Boy Wonder. But then, you know, it' d be awfully complicated not to piss anyone off, I mean mention Jesus and you lose some Muslims, mention Allah and you lose some Christians, some Buddhists don' t even believe in a God, etc etc ...

I began typing before you mentioned it (yeah, I' m that slow). As for the "happy" question it wasn' t meant to antagonize you in any way, sorry if it did, I just genuinely wonder if that' s what you had in mind when you spoke of not getting rid of it entirely.

 

Honestly, you won't offend a Buddhist by not doing anything acknowledge their beliefs. Any true Buddhist would be content with inner peace and praying to themselves.

EDIT: And no, I'm not being racist. Buddhism is my favorite belief. I've done extensive studies in Buddhism in particular, and I know no Buddhist would be bothered by something so petty.

 

Well maybe they should lead the pack then, cause secular schools don' t deny anyone' s right to pray to himself.

 

Agreed. Eastern religions are more... Forgiving and understanding of the balance of human consciousness and nature, it would be much more peaceful, though I don't live in those countries. For all I know, they could have religious disputes all the time.

 

Fair enough, not easily having the ability to see what's happening in the thread when writing is annoying. It didn't, don't sweat it. Honestly I'm not certain what I want, but the solution they came up with does seem like a good avenue.

 

I don't see why they couldn't have, say a minute or so, for prayer, and if folk wanted to they could pray and pray according to their beliefs. I can't understand why a Christian is leading a pray if the school isn't Christian. Though, I guess its done more so out of tradition than Religious beliefs? I don't know, we don't pray at sporting events here.

 

I enjoy living in one of the least religious countries of the world. You guys all seem rather stressed over in the murricas, both sides of the whole debate.

 

You Norwegians with your Black metal and your church burnings.

 

It's a game, so get to the game, if you want to say some words for like 10 seconds, then sure, but focus on the game. That's why you're there, people.

However, the thing is, religion is part of our culture as a people, as a country and as a world. If it's respectful can we really say that it's unjustified to display our culture?

We have countless religions, doing their own thing, if Christians have the balls to instigate a pray at a football match, ok then, as long as it's not detrimental to others and is respectful.
If no other religious group wants to take part, that's their choice on the matter.
The only thing I would disagree on is if a religious group asked to have a pray and were denied whilst other religious groups were allowed, that would be wrong on many a level.

Easiest thing to do is just cut the amount of time it affects the game, and then just play ball.

 

btw not trying to totally bump this thread or anything but you wouldn't happen to go to the Univ. of Tennessee would you?

 

haha i knew it! and yeah sorry about that but i saw this in the news and just had to!!! :)))))