[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Actually it is.

Isn't that the point of fighting discrimination? Isn't "feeling bad" the consequence of being discriminated against or treated unfairly? Do you think Rosa Parks "felt bad" being forced to sit at the back of the bus? It was a catalyst that revealed the actual social inequity even if the singular event and personal feelings of the person involved seem insignificant and those in the ruling majority felt that "separate but equal" did not cause any significant harm.

Rosa Parks was restricted to the back of the bus. She had a reason to feel bad. Atheist boy wasn't restricted physically at all. He wasn't singled out for discrimination.

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

"Feeling bad" is only an individual symptom of systematic institutionalized discrimination or unfair treatment. "Feeling bad" is what tells you that you are not receiving the treatment from others that you desire. If that coincides with treatment that is actually unlawful, then you have a right to your civil liberties and for the courts to defend your rights.

I've said over and over again, the principle is not whether or not he "feels bad" as you are focusing on his individual harm. The principle and what people debating here is his right to challenge the school prayer and that he has every right to do so and it is in fact, an advocacy of a much greater number of people than this one individual.

Again the standard should be whether harm has been done. I don't see where it has. This kid was no victim by rather the aggressor. Even if somewhere in the States school prayer is being forced upon non believers this was not the hill to battle over. This was just a kid acting out his rebellion.

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I am interested in your Christian Bill of Rights. Honestly, I am. What have you come up with?

I'm a little busy right now to get into it. The question came up from reading the preamble to the American constitution. Were they right? What does life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness mean? And can they be backed up by scriptures? Of course any of the promises of God can be seen as rights and there are some rights(promises) before God that are only given to Christians. There are also general obligations towards mankind and God which tempers these rights. It gets quite involved.

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I think "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" Matthew 7:12 and "But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself" Leviticus 19:34 would apply to this case.

Instead you address him over and over derogatorily as "Atheist Boy". If you want people to respect Christian principles and practices, you should respect their principles and practices as well, even if they are atheists. Similarly, you should treat them as if they were your own. Instead, the response to him from his peers and family has been anger, threats of violence, and him being ostracized and have insulted him as only being a whiny person trying to cause a stir.

I guess the title "atheist boy" stems first of all from laziness. I didn't remember his name. Beyond that it seems to fit him well in that his beef is because he is an atheist and he is acting like a boy. Boys/children think of themselves to the exclusion of others. They tend to act impulsively without looking ahead to the consequences. Teens and young adults are often found to be idealists. They grab on to an abstract principle and goes whereever it takes them. They also like to make noise.

This kid has managed to offend people by forcing them through the ACLU to change something against their will. Don't we all owe a debt of gratitude to the community that raised us. Isn't that a part of the graduation ceremony? Acknowledging those who contributed to where we find ourselves today. This kid just flipped the bird at the values of these neighbours and friends on a national stage. How immature! He not only ruined the spirit and joy associated with this occasion for himself but, also for his peers and community. Nobody is going to forget this graduation for all the wrong reasons.

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

If at an event that was extremely important to you, like a graduation ceremony, the sanctioned message of the ceremony was pro-actively atheist and even insulting of your religion. Would you rather just have to sit down and shut up for 2 minutes and tolerate it with no other choice? Or would you rather you had the option (even if you did not choose to exercise it!) and ability to seek redress legally from the courts as is your right to? Why is this any different? Apply Matthew 7:12 if that is what you really believe.

It's not just him. There are others he should consider, respect, and maybe indulge. A pro-active gospel message isn't what we are talking about here. That would be the equivalent to a pro-active atheist message. We are talking about a short prayer. That is a small thing. I'll bet a few of the speeches would be harder to endure.

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

And so "atheist boy" was not willing to participate in this event. Do you understand there is no difference here? For you, the threshold may be bowing down. For him, the threshold is even sitting there and condoning what is legally his right to oppose. That is the beauty of living in a free society. You have that choice. If you lived in a Muslim society, refusing to participate would mark you out for criminal prosecution and violence. Holding yourself to one standard and others to a separate standard is not Christian in principle and this hypocrisy is one of the reasons religion is seem over and over again in a bad light.

The difference is in the participation. That's simple enough. He doesn't have to participate in the prayer anymore than he has to listen to the Principal's speech. How much did you participate in your graduation ceremony? Were there parts that meant nothing to you but, were important to the guy next to you?