Is it just me, or is the movement for prayer in schools the most quixotic group since the Anti-Masonic Party fell apart? Let me get this straight.
The National Education Association is openly adversarial towards conservative Christians. While there are many Christians in the Democratic Party, its hierarchy is aggressively secular and certainly opposed to anything religious in school (unless it's an apologetic for Islam or something involving tree spirits.) NEA educrats comprise about 1/3 of all Democratic Convention delegates.
And THESE are the people you want leading your kids in prayer?
Great idea. And once we get that through, we can appoint Ralph Nader as Commerce Secretary. Or better yet, Arlen Specter as Chair of the Judic -- wait, bad example.
Posted by Discoshaman at novembre 11, 2004 01:34 AM | TrackBack
I was going to make nice comment, but it was flagged for "questionable content."
Posted by: Jon Cohen at novembre 11, 2004 06:53 AMReally? I'm sorry about that. I'll talk to my tech guy about that. . . I'm a null when it comes to computer stuff. Sorry for the prob.
Posted by: Discoshaman at novembre 11, 2004 02:54 PMI'm glad someone else has said this. I've asked people this very question, and they look at me like I'm insane or something, then just holler something about letting God back into schools.
Last I checked, the God I serve is omnipresent and omnipotent. You can't keep him out. Plus, as long as there are final exams, there WILL be prayer in schools.
Posted by: Warren at novembre 11, 2004 07:53 PMI've got something hilarious on this subject, but it wouldn't fit well in a comment box. Maybe I'll post it myself or just email it to you.
Posted by: Paul Baxter at novembre 12, 2004 04:37 PMMany evangelical Christians would have second thoughts about school-sponsored prayer if they lived in Provo, Utah.
Posted by: Inkling at novembre 13, 2004 06:24 AMIt is hard to believe, but I know for sure that one of our local public elementary schools has the children say The Lord's Prayer every morning. Then they move on to the graphic sex education.
Posted by: Carol at novembre 13, 2004 02:29 PMUntil someone realizes that "Separation of Church and State" and mandatory, universal, public education are completely incompatible concepts--and by someone, I mean the constituencies of at least 51% of Congress--we're stuck with the choice between state-funded secularism and state-funded "teacher's choice" grab-bags.
Think it's a lousy choice? Well, then get rid of public schools.
Can't say I hear a stampede of eager supporters rallying to my banners, there . . . alas.
Posted by: pgepps at novembre 13, 2004 02:49 PMpgepps-
Actually, I'm not exactly a Murray Rothbard-privatize-the-lighthouses sort, but I'm all for privatizing public schools. Look at Detroit's schools and try to imagine a private company doing as poorly.
I say voucher the lot. Investors will follow up on the opportunity, and innovative, competitive schools will spring up. And a genuine diversity will flourish. The religious wars in our schools will finally be over as people can freely associate with whomever they choose. Parents would be able to educate their children in the way they thought best, rather than how the local educrats deemed best. It sounds very . . . American to me. :-)
My ideal world would have a Christian America with non-sectarian prayers in school led by an overwhelming Christian teaching staff. I don't accept the modern understanding of the Establishment Clause. But as that ideal world isn't exactly looming on the horizon, school choice and privatization are the most rational alternatives.
Carol-
If anything exemplifies the schizophrenic state of American public life -- that's it. Puritans and porn in a weird co-existence.
Posted by: Discoshaman at novembre 16, 2004 02:11 AM