Something in my e-mail

[RawHumor]

You might like it, you might not. Just thought I'd pass it on to you.
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Dear God:

Why didn't you save the school children at . . .

a.. Moses Lake, Washington 2/2/96

b.. Bethel, Alaska 2/19/97

c.. Pearl, Mississippi 10/1/97

d.. West Paducah, Kentucky 12/1/97

e.. Stamps, Arkansas 12/15/97

f.. Jonesboro, Arkansas 3/24/98

g.. Edinboro, Pennsylvania 4/24/98

h.. Fayetteville, Tennessee 5/19/98

i.. Springfield, Oregon 5/21/98

j.. Richmond, Virginia 6/15/98

k.. Littleton, Colorado 4/20/99

l.. Taber, Alberta, Canada 5/28/99

m.. Conyers, Georgia 5/20/99

n.. Deming, New Mexico 11/19/99

o.. Fort Gibson, Oklahoma 12/6/99

p.. Santee, California 3/5/01 and

q.. El Cajon, California 3/22/01?

Sincerely,

Concerned Student



Dear Concerned Student:

I am not allowed in schools.

Sincerely,

God



Let's see, I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained she didn't want any prayer in our schools.

And we said, OK...

Then, someone said you better not read the Bible in school, the Bible that says "thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbors yourself,"

And we said, OK...

Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem.

And we said, an expert should know what he's talking about so we won't spank them anymore...

Then someone said teachers and principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave. And the school administrators said no faculty member in this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don't want any bad publicity, and we surely don't want to be sued.

And we accepted their reasoning...

Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want, and they won't even have to tell their parents.

And we said, that's a grand idea...

Then some wise school board member said, since boys will be boys and they're going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all the condoms they want, so they can have all the fun they desire, and we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school.

And we said, that's another great idea...

Then some of our top elected officials said it doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs.

And we said, it doesn't matter what anybody, including the President, does in private as long as we have jobs and the economy is good...

And someone else took that appreciation a step further and published pictures of nude children and then stepped further still by making them available on the Internet.

And we said, everyone's entitled to free speech...

And the entertainment industry said, let's make TV shows and movies that promote profanity, violence and illicit sex... And let's record music that encourages rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes...

And we said, it's just entertainment and it has no adverse effect and nobody takes it seriously anyway, so go right ahead...

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, classmates or even themselves.

Undoubtedly, if we thought about it long and hard enough, we could figure it out. I'm sure it has a great deal to do with...

"WE REAP WHAT WE SOW!"

 

[brokenbrainwave]

careful raw, you might get labled over that one, LOL. Is not that last part taken from an interview given by Billy Graham's daughter? Either way it makes a lot of sense.

"Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem.

And we said, an expert should know what he's talking about so we won't spank them anymore..." is the part I find most correct. Before people get offended let me say that in my house that is always the last resort, never ever the first option. (for the record my sons can be taken into public without fear of either throwing a temper tantrum, and yes they are happy well adjusted little boys)

Oh, a tick of trivia, Dr. Spock's son commited suicide

 

[penguindance]

 

[RawHumor]

careful raw, you might get labled over that one, LOL. Is not that last part taken from an interview given by Billy Graham's daughter? Either way it makes a lot of sense.

I figure that most people who know me know that I'm a pervert, a joker, and a right-wing kook. Okay, not a kook exactly, but I tend to lean toward the right, which on Lit makes me a kook.

I don't know where any of it came from, I just thought it was interesting to read and wanted some varying opinions on it.

 

[red_rose]

You might like it, you might not. Just thought I'd pass it on to you.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear God:

Why didn't you save the school children at . . .

a.. Moses Lake, Washington 2/2/96

b.. Bethel, Alaska 2/19/97

c.. Pearl, Mississippi 10/1/97

d.. West Paducah, Kentucky 12/1/97

e.. Stamps, Arkansas 12/15/97

f.. Jonesboro, Arkansas 3/24/98

g.. Edinboro, Pennsylvania 4/24/98

h.. Fayetteville, Tennessee 5/19/98

i.. Springfield, Oregon 5/21/98

j.. Richmond, Virginia 6/15/98

k.. Littleton, Colorado 4/20/99

l.. Taber, Alberta, Canada 5/28/99

m.. Conyers, Georgia 5/20/99

n.. Deming, New Mexico 11/19/99

o.. Fort Gibson, Oklahoma 12/6/99

p.. Santee, California 3/5/01 and

q.. El Cajon, California 3/22/01?

Sincerely,

Concerned Student



Dear Concerned Student:

I am not allowed in schools.

Sincerely,

God

...

Gave me goosebumps, little guy.

I still don't believe that Christianity should be brought into the school system. Perhaps a "Religion" class - one that encompassed *all* religions - but not just Christianity.

Upon more reflection... God is in the schools, we just aren't allowed to talk about/to him when we're there.

I have a question for everyone now... Is it just me, or does it seem like religion is becoming less and less important in the world.

Is it just me growing older? Or is it the times changing?

 

[penguindance]

 

[Tyrael]

Didn't Todd already post this once before?

Isn't the law against religions more against the school performing religious practices than the students? A student can fall to his/her knees when ever it suits them, but a teacher can't get up and say "Let us pray."

Religion isn't gone totally from school, you just have to do it yourself

 

[brokenbrainwave]

the only part I have an issue with is forced Bible study in school. No one should be "forced" to read the Bible for that is a private choice. Other than that, I agree, and I aint even a right wing kook!

 

[penguindance]

 

[Calamity Jane]

I still believe that there is no place for religion in our schools. It's the job of parents to teach morality, and parents are failing. I don't need or want a teacher who is paid by the government teaching my kids what's 'right' and 'wrong' when it comes to things like god and sex.

When parents start spending time with their kids again, and stop filling the kid's days with soccer practice, music lessons, and a million other things, when they stop letting their kids lock themselves in their rooms for hours, instead of encouraging them to be contributing members of the family, a lot of things would improve. Teaching my kids about the Christian God while they're in a public school isn't the answer.

 

[penguindance]

 

[huskie]

As an AAU wrestling coach, a little league football and baseball coach for more than 8 years, in a small town in central North Carolina...... I have see SOME of this. Probably not near as much as in the bigger towns. Some kids I'v coached, and whos parents I have delt with, I just know this child has NO hope what so ever. And the same goes for the child who is lucky enough to have parents that are so involved with there total life.

No matter the school or the area it is, in my opinion, the parent makes all the deffrence. Good or bad.

 

[SleepingWarrior]

Re: Re: Something in my e-mail

I have a question for everyone now... Is it just me, or does it seem like religion is becoming less and less important in the world.

Its not just you. I agree that one religion shouldnt be taught in school but there are many general lessons that religion can teach the children. Or at least have some kind of ethics class taught in grade school to try to counteract all of the violence and mayhem children see on TV. It should be the parents responsibilty to teach children that what they see on TV is wrong but these days many parents are working and leaving children to fend and learn for themselves. Where the parents fail the schools should take some action to teach the children what some parents fail to teach. Even if it means teaching the students the same thing that there parents have already taught them. It is time for schools to help teach the children that aren't taught by their parents what society and common sense says is wrong.

 

[brokenbrainwave]

I still believe that there is no place for religion in our schools. It's the job of parents to teach morality, and parents are failing. I don't need or want a teacher who is paid by the government teaching my kids what's 'right' and 'wrong' when it comes to things like god and sex.

When parents start spending time with their kids again, and stop filling the kid's days with soccer practice, music lessons, and a million other things, when they stop letting their kids lock themselves in their rooms for hours, instead of encouraging them to be contributing members of the family, a lot of things would improve. Teaching my kids about the Christian God while they're in a public school isn't the answer.

nor does any theory having to do with the origin of humans. Pagan I agree with your post 100%, unfortunately parents in general are failing at a miserable rate.

 

[Tyrael]

You know PCG, my parents have never talked to me about drugs, sex, God or anything.

I'm pretty sure there are alot of parents out there who are the same as mine and just can't or won't bring themselves to talk to their kids about these things.

 

[sunstruck]

Raw, you know I adore you, so I'm not going to go off. But here's the thing most people don't get.

NO ONE IS TRYING TO KEEP GOD OUT OF SCHOOLS. The law is you can't set aside a specific time during the school day for prayer, nor can you teach specific doctrines as fact, or in a class that does not relate to culture.

No one is saying kids can't pray. Why is this is such a big fucking deal. Do you know what happens when you say, hey, let's have a prayer assembly in school? Kids who follow less common religions, like Judaism, Buddhism, Muslimism, are separated. It's not necessary. Religion can be taught at home and in churches and mosks and synagogues and whatever. Not in schools. It's not fair.

 

[RawHumor]

Raw, you know I adore you, so I'm not going to go off. But here's the thing most people don't get.

NO ONE IS TRYING TO KEEP GOD OUT OF SCHOOLS.

A. I'm just playing the messenger here.

B. I agree that religion should not be TAUGHT or PUSHED in public schools.

I almost took out the top part of the message just because I thought that some of the other stuff was more interesting to discuss (spankings and such).

 

[SilverVeil]

I don't think it is even a matter of " teaching religion " anymore. Individual students who follow a religion are forbidden to practice their belief in schools.

How much history in the world is steeped in religious matters ? Holy wars ? Even the Spanish Inquisition ( sp ? ). How certain rulers in history ruled their countries, why one culture wants the land of another... even different beliefs here in the U.S. have their roles in history. Wicca, Puritan, Quakers... our entire country was founded through a desire to practice a belief freely.

Do grade schoolers even learn the Pledge of Allegience ( sp ? ) any more ?
Because there is that one phrase " One nation, under God .... " I think we have gotten so far out of touch with what is important that we have lost a vital part of out childrens education.

I personally am Wiccan. I do not have any problem with a school allowing my daughter or son to be educated about religions. I don't know all the different religions in the world, and I want my child to be educated, to be informed. The more info you have at your disposal, the smarter you are, and a less chance of uninformed assumptions about people are made.

Look at all the fall out on innocent people after 9/11. Just because a person dressed a certain way because of their belief, people in their ignorance assumed that every person who wore a turban, had dark skin and a beard or moustach, wore a caftan, was a " terrorist ".

If I recall correctly, college is the first learning instution where our young people can learn about religions in the world.

I realize that you can not teach about Catholic beliefs without teaching about Baptist, or Atheism. I do not feel our children should be preached to or converted... but I do think they should learn. And is'nt that what they go to school for ? To learn ?

*** Please note .... I am not talking about God in this case... I am talking about religion ***

I don't have a simple answer. I wish I did. I just have my opinion and as usual I could be wrong.

 

[red_rose]

PCG - very well put.

Ty - My first instinct was to say something along the lines of "those people shouldn't be having kids..." But that is very unfair and quite harsh. *However* I do believe that schools have been asked to take on way too much responsibility in raising a child when its role in the community should be purely educational. If the parents teach Sally and Billy what right and wrong are, then when they get to school... the teachers can get right to the teaching and not have to spend their time disciplining each student.

SW - I meant in general...not just in schools. It seems like religion is becoming more of a joke than it ever was. (Please don't hurt me for that one! I'm being sincere!!)

 

[Tyrael]

Ok, about spankings.

There are people out there who reach for the stick whenever the child commits the slightest mistake. And there are people out there who wouldn't raise their hand to their child if the little darling burned the house down.

People shouldn't abandon spankings altogether, I really doubt a "time out" session is going to matter much to a kid who kills their sibling or sets fire to the house. But there are too many nosy bastards out there who have no children and are very loud about what is or is not right for other people's kids.

Maybe one day people will realize that children are not little adults and they aren't born knowing everything. If they were, why would we need schools?

 

[sunstruck]

Silverveil, if we're loosing something in this country, and I agree we are, it's in the family, not the schools. Morals and faith should be taught by parents, not teachers. Teachers have enough to deal with without having ti figure out a way to explain life, death and sex in 17 differents faith systems.
Just my opinion, and I really don't mean it hostily,I just sound that way sometimes.

 

[Megameg]

You know PCG, my parents have never talked to me about drugs, sex, God or anything.

I'm pretty sure there are alot of parents out there who are the same as mine and just can't or won't bring themselves to talk to their kids about these things.

Mine, too. They did make us go to church every Sunday (they didn't go themselves - sheesh!), but we never talked about religion or faith at home.

I don't press religion on my kids (for various reasons - my husband is a recovering Catholic with an extremist mother, for one), but we DO talk about it - being kids, they have a lot of questions. But I can't speak about my faith with much conviction or passion - it's just not in me, so it doesn't come out that way. I wonder what they think - I'm very sure about the other things I teach them, but not religious faith. They are still young, but I am very proud of how empathetic, caring and responsible they are (so far).

But can I teach them just Biblical history and religious technicalities and expect them to develop their own faith? I mean, look at me - my parents didn't express any strong indications of religious faith ... and I am "coincidentally" weak in that area. My husband was too bashed down by the constant talk of sin and damnation, and he now appears to have no faith at all.



Meg

 

[SleepingWarrior]

SW - I meant in general...not just in schools. It seems like religion is becoming more of a joke than it ever was. (Please don't hurt me for that one! I'm being sincere!!)

No worries. I knew you meant it in general and I do share that belief too. Just used that statement to tie in my thoughts on teaching the children about right and wrong in school.

It's just that someone needs to teach children about right and wrong. The feasibilty of schools doing that is far-fetched and I know that. There will always be differing opinions about where to draw the line of what would be taught if there ever will be an ethics class taught to grade school children. One person could be for teaching that sex before marriage is wrong while another would be for teaching that sex is fine as long as you are responsible about it, and the list of things could go on and on. Even if no mention of religion was made in a class of this sort was made there would still be people saying that it was the first step towards it happening, that the school was trying to take away a parents right to teach or be a lazy asshole. They are their kids afterall, if they do something to another child its not up to you (the school) to tell them its wrong or to discipline them, its my right to let my kid do whatever they want because if they do something really horrible then they will have to answer to the law, so on and so forth.