GOP lawmaker wants Lord's Prayer in Ind. schools

INDIANAPOLIS A Republican state senator is pushing for Indiana's public school students to start the school day by reciting the Lord's Prayer.

Senate education committee chairman Dennis Kruse of Auburn has filed legislation that would let school districts require the prayer to be recited, but would also grant broad exemptions.

The measure might have little chance of winning approval since the Senate's leader has assigned it to the rules committee, which rarely advances bills. But it's part of a broader push by Kruse and other lawmakers to put religion in Indiana's public schools.

Kruse sponsored a bill last year seeking to allow schools to teach creationism, the belief that life was created as described in the Bible. This year, he's seeking to allow questioning by teachers of scientific principles like evolution.

[rightontarget]

JV1970 replies: "You need to read the clause about religion more closely. The first amendment gives us freedom OF religion, not FROM it and it also gives us the right to freely exercise our religion. FREELY! THAT MEANS ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME! It DOES NOT say except in our schools!
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JV, the point is that MANDATING that ANY prayer from ANY religion be recited in our schools that are PUBLIC and consist of students of ALL faiths, even none, is NOT giving anyone any kind of "freedom" period. That's why I am in favor of schools starting each day with a moment of "silent meditation". That way EVERYBODY can exercise their freedom to pray to whomever they worship or to just take a moment to reflect and prepare for the day. It should be a CHOICE and not a MANDATE to a particular prayer no matter what religion that prayer might be affiliated with.

[JV1970]

Not allowing the Christian children to pray or recite the Lord's Prayer or the Pledge of Allegiance, with the words under God, aloud is infringing on their right to freedom of speech! Even you can't disagree with that!

[rightontarget]

JV, so then we would have to allow all Muslem children, Buddist children, Jewish and whatever other faith children to ALSO pray or recite their OWN prayers ALOUD and what chaos that would creat. A moment of silent meditation ALLOWS EVERYBODY to pray or recite (albeit not aloud out of respect for everyone else)whatever they wish without FORCING them to listen to somebody ELSE'S prayer. You just don't get it do you. It's about respect for others and not considering yourself or your religion as BETTER than others who have a perfect right to attend the same school you do. If you want to pray outloud then go to a specific Christian school. If muslem kids want to get down on their prayer rugs they cannot do it in a publicly funded school. Get over yourself! EQUAL rights means that EVERYBODY has the SAME rights so let them ALL pray however they wish, just not aloud in a public school. That does not disallow the prayer at all but it keeps things equal for ALL. If they want to pray outloud go do it on a public street where people can CHOOSE to listen or not because they are not confined to a classroom. They can just walk away.

[rightontarget]

Personally, I am a Chtistian BUT I do NOT believe that reciting the Lord's Prayer in school is appropriate. I hate the fact that most Christians feel it is somehow their obligation to shove their belief down everyone elses throat and that doing that somehow is God's will. That is such a crock! I thing the lack of respect for others is what gives Christianity a bad name. I think it would be a great idea if the schools did start out every day with a moment of "silent meditation". Then students can use that time to pray (regardless of what "God" they CHOSE to pray to) if they if they wish or just reflect on things. It has a calming and uplifting affect and would start the day in a good manner. Forcing any particular religion's prayer to be recited for everybody is just another right-wing form of bullying.

[RollotheNorman]

Another tidbit, The Lord's Prayer is NOT a prayer, it is a prayer template. Jesus said, "When you pray, pray *like* this, NOT pray *this*.

[JV1970]

So what you're saying is that you think it's fine for non-believers to force their unbelief on Christians! If Christians aren't allowed to pray freely that's exactly what you're saying!

[stamicrach]

The Constitution gives us the right to worship "freely".

It also gives us the freedom of speech.

No where does it say we have to adhere to the crap spewed by some of the posters on this page.

While you are entitled to your opinion; you do not have the right to inflict your opinion on others.

I choose to ignore you completely.!

[RollotheNorman]

stamicrach says:

"While you are entitled to your opinion; you do not have the right to inflict your opinion on others."

Exactly the point! What is that substance between your ears? It sure isn't brains, genus. In the public arena, the US Constitution guarantees freedom from religion as much as freedom of religion. IOW, if an organization is funded by tax monies, it is a religion free zone. If it is privately funded, you can have all the religion talk you want. It's really simple: tax money is not to be used to support any religious group or particular religion.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

JV1970 replies: There is one thing about me that you both should know! I received the Lord as my Savior a long time ago
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We'd never guess that you're among the religious-afflicted.....

[JV1970]

You don't know me.

[democracy8]

JV1970: Oh, we know you alright...

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

Where are all the dogma drones? JV's the only one to show on this and she took a powder early.....

[JV1970]

I didn't "take a powder"! I had computer problems. I don't have the best computer or the best operating system or the fastest internet service.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

"I have examined all the known superstitions of the world, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology." - Thomas Jefferson

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

Jefferon had this crap figured out over 200 years ago yet people today still fall for it in droves......

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

The arrogance of these dogma drones is unparalleled. Because they choose to believe the fairy tale they feel empowered to require the programming of young minds with this hooey as well.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

JV1970 replies: There is one thing about me that you both should know! The Bible teaches us to be rooted and grounded in our faith and in the Word of God.
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And common sense tells us not to accept anything as fact unless it can be proven as such....

[JV1970]

Psalm 14: 1 and Psalm 53: 1 both say "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."

[busterthedawgy]

JV1970 you are making a logical fallacy, that is, confusing opinion with fact. It is your opinion that there is only one true god. That is not a fact, it is your belief. You are not tolerant of others who hold different opinions and beliefs. That makes it impossible to argue with you, because you are very closed minded.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

You can argue with these peple because that's all they are capable of. What you can not do is debate an issue with them.

[JV1970]

busterthedawgy Then don't argue with me!

[twmat311]

Wow - when did "freedom of religion" get rewritten as "freedom to join and practice MY religion, or get out"?

Seems that it happened right around the time Fox closed doen much of its comment blogs.

[JV1970]

No one said anything about anyone getting out!