So Be It. An email I received

[phorsenuf]

Here is an email I just got that was kinda thought provoking.


THE LAW IS THE LAW

So if the US government determines that it is against the law for the
words under God" to be on our money, then, so be it.

And if that same government decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it.

And since they already have prohibited any prayer in the schools, on which
they deem their authority, then so be it.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to be a law abiding US citizen.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to think that smarter people than
I are in positions to make good decisions.

I would like to think that those people have the American Publics' best
interests at heart.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?

Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and cannot Post His
Commandments in Government buildings,

I don't believe the Government and it's employees should participate in
the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life.

I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter.
After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday,
Thanksgiving &Easter as well as Sundays. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have to worry
about getting home for the "Christmas Break." After all it's just another
day.

I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved, if all
government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter.

It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day
of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct."

In fact....

I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside
for worshipping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should
be just another day....

What do you all think????

If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected officials will stop
giving in to the minority opinions and begin, once again, to represent the
'majority' of ALL of the American people.

SO BE IT...........

Please Dear Lord, Give us the help needed to keep you in our country!

'Amen' and 'Amen'


These are definitely things I never thought about but from now on, I will
be
sure to questions those, in government, who support these changes.

At the top, it says "I hope this makes its way around the USA several
times
over!!!!!"

Let's see that it does. Keep it in your mailbox and resend it whenever
someone new comes along

 

[Marseeya]

Not to be picky, but who says nobody can pray in school? Nobody's stopping them from bowing their heads and saying a prayer at any point in the day. You just can't force my kids to do it and for that I'm eternally grateful.

 

[Rowena]

Sort of O/T but I recall watching WWTBAM or a similar show, and was pretty shocked to learn those statues and plaques of the Ten Commandments were a publicity stunt to drum up interest for the film of the same name. I think it was the Cecil B Demille, silent version. I found that fascinating.

 

[Crankyshank]

Thanksgiving isn't a religious holiday

 

[mickeyfan1]

I really take exception to the statement "If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected officials will stop giving in to the minority opinions and begin, once again, to represent the 'majority' of ALL of the American people."

The eleceted officials are elected by ALL people, not just whatever Majority to which the writer of the statement is referring. Many congressmen are elected by 100% non whites, they represent people of Latin backrounds, or African Americans. I happen to agree that God has no place in Federal, State, or Local Governments. The "God" that the writer is refering to is the "God" of many Christians, howerver not the GOd of Jews, Muslims, Pagans, etc. WHat makes people think that their "God" is the only one? This country was founded by people who sought to escape from religious persecution. By insisting the "God" must be included in government is persecuting those who have other beliefs.

If you choose to believe in any God, that is your right. I have the same right to believe in the God of my chjoosing, and no one should have the right to force me to accept their "God".

 

[Beth76]

Not to be picky, but who says nobody can pray in school? Nobody's stopping them from bowing their heads and saying a prayer at any point in the day. You just can't force my kids to do it and for that I'm eternally grateful.

Yep.

No one's stopping you from praying whenever you want. If you need to look at the Ten Commandments--keep a copy in your wallet. Do Christians really want to "lose" all their holidays? I don't think so. And Thanksgiving shouldn't even be mentioned in that.

 

[phorsenuf]

I posted the entire email I received, including the comments on the bottom.

Like I said, thought provoking.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

These things just make me cringe. BLECH.

Christmas is more a secular holiday in my eyes, same as Easter. Both were created by man to help recruit pagans into catholicism/christinianity. No one should be forced to pray to a God he or she may not believe in just because a "majority" of people believe in that God. Just like I wouldn't want someone to tell me that I couldn't worship God or Jesus.

I feel for the people who are not the "majority" religion in this country because of crap like this.

P.S. Jesus wasn't put to death on a Friday. Anyway, don't get me started.

Edited to add: I don't get "Good Friday" off, and Easter always falls on a Sunday, a regular non-work day. We do not get a day off for that either.

 

[BillSears]

I'm a federal employee. Sundays are not days off for everyone but are considered the weekend just as it is for most people. We do not get off Good Friday or Easter. Thanksgiving isn't a religious holiday. So the only day you're really talking about taking away is Christmas.

So allow a liberal leave policy on Christmas and you should be fine.

Congress really doesn't take a "Christmas break" It's more of a winter break just like the have a summer break and many other breaks in thier session.

 

[Beauty]

Well I for one applaud the email. God has been kept out of to many things. My opinion which I'm entitiled to just like you.

 

[RUDisney]

I originally read this, closed it, then found it again because I am irked.

The majority of people in the US are Christians. Christianity, Judeism and Islam are all created from the same God, so "In God We Trust" really shouldn't annoy that many people, since the majority (the 3 major religions included) are referring to the same ultimate God.

US Laws guarantee freedom of religion without pursecution, so Buddhists, atheists and agnostics should have no fear.

It royally annoys me that religion is held to such a taboo level in public schools. While I agree that no one should force a child to pray to something that isn't practiced in his/her home, I see no problem with democracy ruling that there can be a moment of silence during which a prayer may be said... or not said. Again, it's a majority rule thing, not an "it may offend one non-believer" thing.

We need to go back to our Judeo-Christian roots that promote the well-being of the whole through hard work and peace instead of remaining in this "everyone for himself or with his hand out" mentality.

If we have freedom of religion in this country, we should be able to practice our religion freely... without having it stifled by the government.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

If we have freedom of religion in this country, we should be able to practice our religion freely... without having it stifled by the government.

If we have freedom of religion in this country, then people should be able to not practice any religion freely...without being stifled by the government and other people who think that because the majority practice a religion then everyone should be subjected to it. That is what Freedom of Religion is really about, being free to practice or not practice ANY religion. There is not supposed to be a state sponsored religion. I am a Christian and government has no place in my beliefs and practices.

 

[RUDisney]

If we have freedom of religion in this country, then people should be able to not practice any religion freely...without being stifled by the government and other people who think that because the majority practice a religion then everyone should be subjected to it. That is what Freedom of Religion is really about, being free to practice or not practice ANY religion. There is not supposed to be a state sponsored religion. I am a Christian and government has no place in my beliefs and practices.

A moment of silence for prayer or reflection does NOT undermine freedom of religion. It is not forcing anyone to be subjected to someone's else's religion just because they are asked to remain silent.

Do you have a problem with moment's of silence for 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombings, the death of someone in administration, etc.? These seem to go on freely, while my children are not allowed to admit that they participate in any organized religion in school. How is a moment of silence in school any different than a moment of silence in rememberence of people or an event?

 

[snoopy]

These things just make me cringe. BLECH.

Christmas is more a secular holiday in my eyes, same as Easter. Both were created by man to help recruit pagans into catholicism/christinianity. No one should be forced to pray to a God he or she may not believe in just because a "majority" of people believe in that God. Just like I wouldn't want someone to tell me that I couldn't worship God or Jesus.

I feel for the people who are not the "majority" religion in this country because of crap like this.

P.S. Jesus wasn't put to death on a Friday. Anyway, don't get me started.

Edited to add: I don't get "Good Friday" off, and Easter always falls on a Sunday, a regular non-work day. We do not get a day off for that either.

Beautifully said Miss J!

 

[Tigger_Magic]

If we have freedom of religion in this country, then people should be able to not practice any religion freely...without being stifled by the government and other people who think that because the majority practice a religion then everyone should be subjected to it. That is what Freedom of Religion is really about, being free to practice or not practice ANY religion. There is not supposed to be a state sponsored religion. I am a Christian and government has no place in my beliefs and practices.

Thank you, Miss Jasmine; you said it first and better than I could have. ITA! (The e-mail made me cringe, too.)

 

[Bob Slydell]

A moment of silence for prayer or reflection does NOT undermine freedom of religion. It is not forcing anyone to be subjected to someone's else's religion just because they are asked to remain silent.

Do you have a problem with moment's of silence for 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombings, the death of someone in administration, etc.? These seem to go on freely, while my children are not allowed to admit that they participate in any organized religion in school. How is a moment of silence in school any different than a moment of silence in rememberence of people or an event?

Why does it have to be "a moment of silence for prayer or reflection"? A moment of silence is a moment of silence. It shouldn't have to be given a purpose. Everyone can (and does already) do with that moment as they wish, without being told.

 

[Crankyshank]

Rock on Miss J

 

[Miss Jasmine]

A moment of silence for prayer or reflection does NOT undermine freedom of religion. It is not forcing anyone to be subjected to someone's else's religion just because they are asked to remain silent.

Do you have a problem with moment's of silence for 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombings, the death of someone in administration, etc.? These seem to go on freely, while my children are not allowed to admit that they participate in any organized religion in school. How is a moment of silence in school any different than a moment of silence in rememberence of people or an event?

Where was a moment of silence menitioned in the OP?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

A moment of silence for prayer or reflection does NOT undermine freedom of religion. It is not forcing anyone to be subjected to someone's else's religion just because they are asked to remain silent.

Do you have a problem with moment's of silence for 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombings, the death of someone in administration, etc.? These seem to go on freely, while my children are not allowed to admit that they participate in any organized religion in school. How is a moment of silence in school any different than a moment of silence in rememberence of people or an event?

Children are much more impressionable than adults and at younger ages may not be able to draw the distinction between a "moment of silence" and a "moment of silence for prayer." Adults are able to understand this distinction. Therefore, it is not allowed in schools to protect younger children.

Children are not prohibited from admitting that they participate in organized religion. There is no global "gag rule" on any child talking about their religion or faith. The restriction is on adults leading activities that could easily be used to proselytize.

 

[RUDisney]

Why does it have to be "a moment of silence for prayer or reflection"? A moment of silence is a moment of silence. It shouldn't have to be given a purpose. Everyone can (and does already) do with that moment as they wish, without being told.

I added for prayer or reflection. It could be a moment of silence to scratch your behind. Last time I checked, moments of silence are not offered in school because it could promote prayer. EGADS!