God and Schools and Freedoms

This post is brought to you by the following Facebook copypasta:

A boy writes a letter to God. "Dear God, why do you let bad things happen in our schools?" God replied, "Dear Son, I'm not allowed in your schools." I challenge you to re-post this

Now, I'm not one to normally repost things like this, or even care. I usually just pass them on by, and keep cruising through all the other Facebook-official stuff that's going on. Little Suzy had her first burp? How cute, hit the like button. Little Tommy broke the cookie jar? Whoops, sounds like a bad morning for Mommy. I like to keep up-to-date with my friends.

So I just ignore when they post all the chain stuff, especially the ones validating their religious views and calling them brave. Not in to it, don't particularly care. Personally, I don't think you're any less devoted to Jesus Christ if you don't repost the big mass chain that you love him and he loves you.

But this one in particular caught my eye. And it's not because it's religious, and it's not because I believe that if God were still in the public school less bad things would happen.

It's the original fact behind the matter--God is no longer in schools.

And for some this is great, because hey, that's what we have churches and bible schools for. And yes, this is true, we don't need to be teaching and preaching God in schools.

However, I don't think it's fair that every other religion can be observed and used in school, just not the Christianity-based ones. Take for example when it was in the news years back, about the girl who fought to be able to wear her berka(sp?) in observance of her Muslim holidays. This was pre-9-11. It wasn't the religious issues she had to fight necessarily, it was the rule that stated no hats allowed!

But heaven forbid a child say grace out loud for him/herself quietly, or fold their hands in prayer to do it silently before a meal. Or if someone should want to study their bible in study hall after the rest of their homework is done. Or keep a rosary in their locker for good luck. With schools these days you'll be in the principle's office faster than lightning!

I have a big problem with this. I think it's wrong that Christians and Catholics and other God-fearing religions are so prosecuted in schools, but nothing else is. I think based on our First Amendment right, all kids should be free to express their religious views for personal things.

That is to say I don't condone them being allowed to preach their religion. There shouldn't be children going around trying to save another's soul and such. But if a child wants to pray to God for a good grade before a test, I see nothing wrong with that!

God should not be taught in the public school system, but should be tolerated. Just like every other religion out there. You learn about the history of religious foundings in Global Studies, and you move on. If one wants to actively learn a religion, they'll go to a church, mosque, synagogue, or other place of worship.

On this same line of thought, I also think it's wrong how we immediately criminialize everything that is more "main stream" so to speak, and victimize everything that is more of the minority. Christianity is the major religion of the US; criminalized. White people make up the majority of people (not for long at this rate though); criminalized (aka racists). One priest molests a child, suddenly they all have a bad name. Shit like that. It just irritates me.

I don't like double standards. And because of that, I hate it when America says one thing, and does another.

So because of this, I'd love to see a mass prayer organized by students who want to participate be held in the middle of a lunch at school. Every day for a month, even if it takes a while because they get suspended. I'd love to see some kids stand up for their freedoms peacefully like that, and show America that hypocrisy doesn't fly!

And by peaceful, of course, I mean without bothering the other students. But you know some way, some how, it'd "offend" someone who was a pagan or other such religion, and those kids would get in trouble.

I say stop worrying about offending someone, and pray if you want to!

And to those who would be offended, I say if you're that worried about another's personal actions, you better take a chill pill and mind your own business. You do not have to pray nor worship their God just because you saw them praying. Look at something else and keep on moving.

It's time to stop waling on eggshells around people simply because they might not share the same views and ideas as you.

And for the record, while I do believe that there is a God, and was baptized Methodist, I have not been to church for a service in years. I do not consider myself a religious person at all. But I consider myself a tolerant one.

And that's what we all need to be--tolerant. Tolerant and respectful.

If only, right?