Need Conservative Judges

[jack hannah bananah]

Have you heard?
The ACLU is at it again targeting the constitutionality of prayer. They are threatening to file a civil lawsuit unless the Naval Academy ends a longstanding tradition of permitting a mealtime prayer at noon - a voluntary prayer before meals. It "encourages religious tolerance, aids students in reflecting on their own beliefs, and allows midshipmen to celebrate the American tradition of expressing thanksgiving."

We need to support our military's right to pray!

 

[LukenDC]

We need to support our military's right to pray!

I also support our miltary's right NOT to pray, which was being eroded by discriminatory practices at the Air Force Academy.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I think your post, and part of the problem with America at the moment in general, is that too many people are confusing "conservative" with "religious" and "liberal" with "athiest".

That being said, I agree with any orginization (government or private) that wants to offer a time period for prayer/meditation. As long as they do not require people to participate or try to influence how they use that time it's fair IMHO.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I think your post, and part of the problem with America at the moment in general, is that too many people are confusing "conservative" with "religious" and "liberal" with "athiest".

That being said, I agree with any orginization (government or private) that wants to offer a time period for prayer/meditation. As long as they do not require people to participate or try to influence how they use that time it's fair IMHO.

Well said, I agree 100%

 

[jack hannah bananah]

I think your post, and part of the problem with America at the moment in general, is that too many people are confusing "conservative" with "religious" and "liberal" with "athiest".

That being said, I agree with any orginization (government or private) that wants to offer a time period for prayer/meditation. As long as they do not require people to participate or try to influence how they use that time it's fair IMHO.

I am not equating conservative with religious. I am equating conservative with valuing tradition.

 

[legalsea]

Ah, Holy Tradition! As Winston Churchill said:

"Don't talk to me about Naval tradition! It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash."

 

[Pakey]

Not all traditions should be kept. I personally hated that time in the military where I could not start eating my meal until the others at the table had finished their prayers. I had no problem with them praying; I just had a problem that the rest of us had to sit and wait to eat and the rush to finish the food in the allotted time given to us.

 

[Pigeon]

This is exactly why we don't need conservative judges.

Anyone who wants to pray can do it anywhere at any time without making a big production out if it. That way it is not an intrusion on those who do not wish to pray.

 

[marybet]

Is it truly a "voluntray prayer"? If someone does not participate are they then discriminated against? Why must there be group prayer?

The military can pray whenever they want, they just shouldn't be able to force everyone to pray at the same time, in the same manner, to the same god.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Woe be the Middie what eats while some other prays!

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

I think it should be permitted but not required. Those who want to pray can and those who don't, don't have to.

 

[Master Mason]

I think it should be permitted but not required. Those who want to pray can and those who don't, don't have to.

As I understand it, it is voluntary, it is not a public prayer, but rather a moment of silence to be used for prayer if so desired. Anyone not wishing to participate is required to sit in silence until the time is up before they are allowed to eat.

Being a military school, and being that a large part of military training is doing things at the proper time and as a unit, I am unclear why this is a problem. If you don't wish to pray, don't, just sit there while the others do and then eat together as a unit.

For those that are against this, how do you then justify the opening prayers at congress, or the opening prayers at the conventions, those were public prayers that everyone is forced to listen to by governement entities?

 

[Pigeon]

For those that are against this, how do you then justify the opening prayers at congress, or the opening prayers at the conventions, those were public prayers that everyone is forced to listen to by governement entities?

I don't justify them. I think they should be abolished in those venues as well.

 

[Anewman]

As I understand it, it is voluntary, it is not a public prayer, but rather a moment of silence to be used for prayer if so desired. Anyone not wishing to participate is required to sit in silence until the time is up before they are allowed to eat.

Being a military school, and being that a large part of military training is doing things at the proper time and as a unit, I am unclear why this is a problem. If you don't wish to pray, don't, just sit there while the others do and then eat together as a unit.

Is it a VOLUNTARY moment of silence, or is it required moment of silence?

 

[John Smith1]

I think your post, and part of the problem with America at the moment in general, is that too many people are confusing "conservative" with "religious" and "liberal" with "athiest".

I'm a Christian and a liberal... we DO exist.

 

[allison443]

As I understand it, it is voluntary, it is not a public prayer, but rather a moment of silence to be used for prayer if so desired. Anyone not wishing to participate is required to sit in silence until the time is up before they are allowed to eat.

Actually it is not a moment of silence...it is a public prayer led by a Catholic, Protestant or Jewish chaplain. The Naval Academy stated that the prayer does not refer to a particular religion. The challenge was brought by the aclu, but it was on behalf of nine midshipmen who wanted to challenge it.

(I googled this, because I remember seeing a thread about it six months ago, when it was in the news...)

 

[ConcKahuna]

Is it a VOLUNTARY moment of silence, or is it required moment of silence?

See the post above (yipee for the edit button!)

A much better way would be to just add an extra 5 minutes or so to the lunch period so that if people choose to pray they may.

 

[allison443]

Is it a VOLUNTARY moment of silence, or is it required moment of silence?

It is not a moment of silence...it is chaplain-led prayer.

according to this article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/25/AR2008062501549.html?nav=emailpage

 

[allison443]

A much better way would be to just add an extra 5 minutes or so to the lunch period so that if people choose to pray they may.

That would make too much sense!!

 

[allison443]

Have you heard?
The ACLU is at it again targeting the constitutionality of prayer. They are threatening to file a civil lawsuit unless the Naval Academy ends a longstanding tradition of permitting a mealtime prayer at noon - a voluntary prayer before meals. It "encourages religious tolerance, aids students in reflecting on their own beliefs, and allows midshipmen to celebrate the American tradition of expressing thanksgiving."

We need to support our military's right to pray!

OP-this was news in June, 2008. Wondering what brings it up now-have there been some developments lately? I haven't seen anything lately-what is the current situation on it?
Also, whose description of the prayer are you quoting in your post?
Tell the truth, did you receive this in a forwarded email?