Atheists Voice Opposition to Moment of Silence Law »
Posted by: Neophile 8 months, 1 week agoWhen high school freshman Dawn Sherman learned that Illinois had a law requiring public schools to provide a moment of silence each day for "reflection and student prayer," she was outraged.
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AtheismIsRealityComment removed: User banned.17 Replies
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canadianrancher578 months, 1 week ago
As I read this story I relized that maybe its not just politicians that use no common sense in life. This girl is an honor student in math so she's not a morron, but the statement "I'm in school to learn" is a joke. To me a person who is trying to learn must not have a closed mind. If the word prayer is so offensive to her maybe she could work on the reflection part, every day I give some thought to many things to me this is reflection, I do think of religious things but I also think of political issues, money issues and even science. Politicians have in some cases gone out of thier way to keep state and church seperate by allowing both sides free choices. I have read many articals on here about extremists and to me they seem to exsist on both sides. I think this young lady should reflect on Einsteins Theory of Relativity, it is accepted but it still has a few unanswed questions. These are just my opinions, but please people used some common sense.
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Dionys8 months, 1 week ago
She could always reflect on the existence of quarks. Or anti-matter. Or if unable to actually use a scanning electron microscope herself she could reflect on the existence of atoms. Or of their electron's existence when they're tunneling.
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PaganGodess8 months, 1 week ago
Perhaps the wording should have been reflection OR prayer although anyone with half a brain should have interpreted it to mean that anyway. Why does an exhaustive list need to be provided for those with a lack of create thinking?
Who's to say how that 15 seconds would be spent by any one particular person? I have to laugh at people who are so uptight that any mention of prayer has to mean just that and is not open to interpretation by those who "don't" pray in the traditional sense.
For the gods' sake! Use the time to make out your grocery list if nothing else. I can't think of one person in today's busy world who could not benefit from 15 seconds of quiet reflection on SOMETHING, ANYTHING only don't come crying to the public because you failed to make productive use of it!!
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camilleyun8 months, 1 week ago
Well said my Wiccan friend. Wish I could multi-pos you.
I can't understand why some atheists feel so threatened by something they claim doesn't even exist.
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Radiofreeeuropa8 months, 1 week ago
Clearly this is not necessary. Prayers should not be officially conducted in schools, if you want religious education there are plenty of religious schools for you to attend. I think it's fine for someone to personally pray, (although even the bible says public prayer is wrong). But the official capacity is the problem.
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camilleyun8 months, 1 week ago
...(although even the bible says public prayer is wrong)...
I have to take issue with you on this one RFE. Going back (way back..lol)I remember learning about this. It speaks to hypocrisy, rather than prayer itself. The point is that there are those who pray in public, not to honor god, but to appear as a most pious person in the eyes of those who behold them.
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jumpmaster8 months, 1 week ago
This girl is an a-hole. Her issue is less about constitutionality and more about "look at me, look at me".
She is in school to "learn". Ooooh. How wonderful. Oh, but she is only in school to learn what she wants to learn. Then she isn't really there to learn, is she? A real education involves learning about things of your choice, things you don't know anything about, and things you never knew to ask about.
She lost out on 15 seconds of class room time. Oh my God! Maybe she could use those precious 15 seconds to learn, yes learn, about the people around her.
Just wait until she goes to the University of Illinois. Then she will really find out about topics that she doesn't want to know about. The reeducation camp will show her all about that.
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Beau78908 months, 1 week ago
No, jumpmaster, the girl is the daughter of a longtime athiest activist who has challenged several laws Illinois state and city legislators have tried to pass--and won. Call her brainwashed if you wish (though I think she's likely more independent minded than the legislators), but she's no "a-hole."
She and her father would tell you that when she says she's in school to learn, it means to learn what's considered traditional to be taught in schools. How do you feel about this law being used for kids to pray to Satan, or kids using the moment of silence just to check out the bodies of other kids around them? What's the point? Do you feel that's what schools are for?
Kids are in school 8 hours or less a day. Can't they use the other 16 for a moment of silence or prayer? Why don't the parents enforce it at home, if they care so much?
Thank God for good old District 65 in Evanston, that refuses to enforce this silly law.
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BronxBomber8 months, 1 week ago
I'm not gonna go into a lengthy diatribe with this little ditz about how she is offended, yadda,yadda,yadda. If she don't like it, then exercise some common sense, raise you're hand, and tell the teacher you wanna step outside into the corridor whilst the rest of the class is engaged in that "moment of silence" prayer, en masse, and when it's all over, come back inside. End of story. But Noooooo! She and daddy has to bring a lawyer, call the media,and make 'Much ado about nothing' stink about it! What kind of a society are we living in if we are gonna sue every organization for exercising it's right to they're own prerogatives, and that there are simple alternatives/solutions if one finds it contradictive to you're lifestyle?
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rdy2rck8 months, 1 week ago
Once again, anytime people talk especially about religion or politics hate raises it's ugly head.BE CIVILIZED.
A moment of prayer denotes all religions, not just christian. Muslim,buddist,hindus everything. A moment of silence denotes those who don't have a faith.So all bases are covered. Sounds logical to me.
And it sickens me in this supposedly most open society(U.S.)people can't even discuss and respect others opinions in a civil reasonable manner.
The Constitution was supposedly designed for tolerance of different opinions and ideas.
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PaganGodess8 months, 1 week ago
Hey ya BB! Why bother going into the hall? It wasn't the fact that she "lost" 15 seconds of class, hell, it would have taken her that long to leave and re-enter the class, it was the fact that prayer was mentioned. Silent reflection was all that was required in that original sentence. That way, it would have been open to interpretation. Although as I've stated, anyone with half a brain should have interpreted it thus anyway! so WTF???
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mntnman4448 months, 1 week ago
Prayer does not belong in school!
However,a moment of silence can be used for anything,so girl...snap out of it!...a moment of silence isn't gonna kill anyone.
The same goes for the radical christians who are trying to force their religion into public schools...take your moment of silence and recognize that you are not being deprived of your opportunity to pray!
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kctrixter8 months, 1 week ago
When the people who work for me come to work, I expect them to be ready for work, if they need time to reflect on their lives or a cup of coffee or whatever, I expect them to take care of it before work starts. Why should school be different? The only reason I see for this moment is to make use of the fact that humans are social animals, and want to fit in, by making someone sit there while everyone else is praying you are trying to teach them that to fit in they should be praying.
BTW Hi BB
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camilleyun8 months, 1 week ago
How do you know everyone else is praying? This gal is forced to observe 5 mins. of silence a month. I would be embarassed to hire a lawyer because I don't want to participate in something that consumes all of 15 seconds a day because someone MIGHT want to use that time to (gasp) pray to a deity I don't believe in.She ought to use the time to figure out how she can become less self absorbed.
What a waste of everyone's time and attention.(not to impune your submission RFE)
I work at a company owned by Hindu's. Their little elephant deity sits atop our cash register and when they are here, they offer up prayers and nuts/fruit to it......
Quick!, get me a lawyer!, I'm being violated in my workplace! Me! ,me! , me!, .....
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david_nwpa8 months, 1 week ago
Let teachers teach. For goodness sakes, these are nothing more than feel-good laws for legislators trying to enact morality. We do not need these ridiculous laws on the books any more than we need full-blown religious lessons interspersed in our school days. If teachers want to honor a moment of silence just for their own sanity, then fine. However, do not let the legislators in Springfield demand such time.
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chesart18 months, 1 week ago
The establishment clause was not intended to isolate religion. The original intent was to prevent government from favoring a religion. Based on this, a Christian prayer in school is not unconstitutional. However, having allowed a Christian prayer in school, denying a non-Christian prayer of any other faith in school is a blatant violation of the Establishment clause.
I recognize the need to guard against government-sponsored religion. But I truly feel that the Supreme Court decision forbidding prayer in school was applied to avoid the very complex issue created by a second religion demanding that their prayer also be said in school.
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slate8 months, 1 week ago
What's wrong with 15 seconds of silence to reflect? Why are people afraid of the topic that one chooses to reflect upon?
· I wonder if Bobby will kiss me after our date?
· Remember to go to the counselor to pick up condoms for my date.
· What was the number to the abortion clinic again?
· Don't forget the nanner for the sex ed class?
· How will I ever get rid of my pimples?
· Is what my teacher says about only Democrats are Honest and knows what's best for the country true?
· Was it A squared times B squared = C squared or something else?
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slate8 months, 1 week ago
Ã;· Gawd that Tiffany looks great today?
Ã;· I sure hope I pass the test?
Ã;· Why won't mom buy me that new gadget I want?
Ã;· Oh no did I forget to put on deodorant again?
Ã;· I think I'll meet my teacher for a little get together after school, she's hot.
How does that 1492 saying go again, I need to pass that History class
Ã;· That Dawkins guy is Da man,
God forbid someone would use that time to think of God, unacceptable.
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kctrixter8 months, 1 week ago
There is nothing wrong with taking a few seconds to reflect on whatever you like, and students and workers do, and will continue to spend much more of their time through out the day doing it. When I was in school it was "lets take a moment to bow heads in prayer" now it's "lets take a moment to reflect" the wording has changed but the meaning is the same, and every kid knows it (at least my son and his two friends who are over right now, do. I just asked what to moment was for.)
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anadaji678 months, 1 week ago
You probably know her on a personal level, calling her an a-hole and all. No? Maybe your just a worthless prick with nothing else to do than slagger some teenage girl, who I suspect has no friends, and seem just as much a d-bag as she is. And btw, little rascals sucked big time, alfalfa especially.
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kctrixter8 months, 1 week ago
Out of curiosity, who here is worried that not given this time that their children will never think of God, or for that matter any of the things that you think they should be thinking about.
Maybe if everyone taught kids to use their time to the best advantage this would not be an issue, reflect on your ride, or walk to school and be ready to do school work when you get there.
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lvrofwolves8 months, 1 week ago
some kids will be thinking 'oh goody, 15 more free seconds before I have to do school work' but I can kind of understand it might be uncomfortable for some to be sitting there watching others pray. And all teachers of that school may not feel comfortable with that either.
I think it could cause some division amongst the kids too.
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kctrixter8 months, 1 week ago
to be honest I don't think most kids give a hoot, they're gonna do whatever they feel like with the time. I find that atheist who are worried that this time will make their kids fall pray to a religion that they believe is a lot of hooey, are ridiculous, I also find that anyone who thinks that if their kids can't have designated time to pray that they will lost their spiritual beliefs ridiculous also. I just have to wonder who thinks this time is necessary who didn't think a moment of prayer was needed. It always seemed just a way to keep the moment of prayer in the schools.
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kctrixter8 months, 1 week ago
I sorry that was not really on point to what you were saying.
Yes I think some kids will feel uncomfortable, most won't, but I just don't believe that anyone is pushing for it for any other reason than a moment of prayer, and I don't think PUBLIC school is the place, too many believes out there and not all religions believe prayer can be done sitting at a desk, not to mention the people who don't believe in prayer
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lvrofwolves8 months, 1 week ago
Alfalfa- All religion(s) are not the place for public schools,do I expect anyone to be in the closet about it? NO, but it can't be pushed on anyone else, and everyone knows there is a time and a place for it.
A persons sexual orientation is completely different then religion LOL that you don't think so. Seems you're the joke.
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aceofspades18 months, 1 week ago
When I was in elementary school every Wednesday - auditorium day - we would have to wear red ties & white shirts & some kid who could read strange words would go on the podium & read a verse from the Bible - this was in public school - none of us understood the strange wording & it was just a few minutes to fidgit around.
My upstairs neighbors were devout people, & every day before school the mother would read a passage & explain it to the kids - even though I was not of the same religion I listened & understood what she said.
Leave religion in the home & secular education in the public arena.
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kctrixter8 months, 1 week ago
I went to catholic school for most of my education, so when I went to public school and they had a moment of prayer I thought nothing of it. To be honest when this issue first came up (about a moment of prayer)I thought whats the big deal never hurt me let them have it just don't make it mandatory. The thing that bothers me is when the court ruled against them, it never even slowed them down .. just call it something else.. Sorry I don't like it when someone sells me a chicken and calls it a duck.
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