Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
Again...this kid has the choice to follow or not...its one minute of time generally that those around you drop their heads and close their eyes to pray to whatever it is they pray for.
No one is forcing him to pray along with them, but he is forcing them not to be allowed to do so.
If you are at the assembly in questiopn...what choice do you have but to watch and listen? How is it any different from some schmuck going up to a microphone and reciting something in prayer to his god?
And furthermore....how is either one offensive or "stressing"? No one is making them participate in what is being said, no one is forcing them to believe in what others believe...period.
Funny, but I get the feeling that this tolerance thing runs one way only.
I say this as a completely secular non-religious guy. I envy those that find comfort in whatever they find comfort in and in no way do I believe my "rights" to not be part of there group, trumps their rights to feel and practice as they do. If its a problem...get up and leave...its called freedom to choose.
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I get what your saying, there is no doubt he could have just shut up like most atheists and other non christians do, would have saved a lot of trouble.
There is much more to this however, firstly the law prohibiting this in public school. School shouldn't promote one religion over another, and tolerance and acceptance should be the schools objective, not exclusion and intolerance (see teachers comments about the kid).
The fact is atheists in much of the bible belt are closeted, afraid to confide what they believe and live in an area where they often have to pretend religiosity to avoid losing friends, family and even harm their employment opportunities.
This kid's story is one in a long line of near monthly tales of non religious students facing discrimination, intolerance and even threats for simply not taking part in prayer.
This is simply not ok, no matter his motivation he's on the right side of the law. Public school is for everyone, not just christians. The idea he should just shut up and be quiet is beyond stupid, sorry but in order for times to change people need to fight for their rights and that is EXACTLY what this guy is doing.