I have been getting a rash of emails lately from friends and family supporting prayer in public school.

So if any of you are thinking of adding me to your list of “supporters” for you attempt to establish a “Theocracy”….., you might want to read the following before you hit the send button.

I couldn’t disagree with the idea of public prayer in school more. It is offensive to me to think that a single religion should be enforced in a public arena. Especially something as raw as a Childs mind. However, if this “Public Prayer” policy is to also include a fair and open minded, mandatory “World religion” class, and the “Public Prayer” can be a prayer to any and all deities, then I would whole heartedly agree. I went to public school where far too many of my peers where devout Christians, and teased and persecuted other religious beliefs in my school, because, as has been true through out time, they did not understand other theologies and philosophies. If you want to educate our nations children as to the differences in this world’s religions, and make it acceptable to chose their own beliefs, then I am all for it.

But when I hear the words “Prayer in Public Schools” I think of Christians, using one of many versions of the Christian bible, praying to the God of the tribe of David, and his immaculate son Jesus; I think of in-equality, and closed-minded, uneducated children. Their are still so many people of all ages that I know who cannot think rationally, of even accept modern science due to heavy faith in their “religion.”

What about Jewish, Muslin, Pagan, Hindu, etc. children being forced to see another religion, and Christian children having their religion reinforced without exposure to other cultural systems of faith. I think that in these troubled times, this is the last thing we need our children to be exposed to. We should be exposing our children to more of the world, not closing the doors and forcing Christianity down anyone’s throat.

I find this “Prayer in Public Schools” a very dangerous possibility to the future of our children. Think of Muslim children in the Middle East that are never taught about Christianity, and therefore hate us and our faith. Do we want our children to grow up this closed-minded and one sided?

My answer is no. I understand the fear and the troubled times that encourage this rhetoric, but that is all it is: Rhetoric. I am afraid that this kind of thought process is too many steps backward, when we should me moving forward. Our children should grow up better than us, and Public School prayer will only close their minds at an early age.

I must, therefore, decline this idea. I also have to wonder, why anyone would think that it would be a good idea to combine something as mind-closing as religious practice with something as mind-opening as an education. If you want you kids to pray in school, enroll them in a Christian School (of course you may increase their chances of molestation, but hey, that’s your choice as a parent.)

And let me add that I do personally follow some of the philosophies of Christianity (as well as an amalgamation of philosophies and ideologies from around the world) and if (and when) I do have children of my own, I will educate them to ALL the worlds religions that I can; encourage them to study for these faiths for themselves, and encourage them to chose the faith that they find in their hearts, which is what I have done.

I have no problem with prayer in school, so long as it is not faith specific. Who, pray tell, will your children be praying to?????? And what “educational value” would this offer?

Written by Hashmander

Spirituality | No Comments »

Okay, question: Why is it that so many of you religious fucks know so little about your chosen faith?

Seriously, that shit pisses me off. I am not saying that all of you church goers are ignorant to your religion, but a damn lot of you are. Look, if you are going to be so devoted and committed to a belief that you are willing to harass me about my lack of faith in your god, or your church. if you are going to try and convert me to your side, don’t you think it would be a good idea for you to know your side better than I do?

So many times (and often in my own family) I run across people who chose to criticize me for the fact that I am not going to church every Sunday, and I have not accepted Jesus as my personal savior, yet they don’t know the history or origin of their own religion. I mean I have heard of blind faith, but this is just stupid. In fact I think I will call it that from now on: Stupid Faith.

“We do you have faith in God little Jimmy?”

“Well, my mom and dad told me to, my preacher told me to, and even the president told me to, so I do too.”

Stupid Faith.

When I was in high school some years ago, we did the musical, “Jesus Christ Superstar.” I recall a conversation with a girl who was in the production. She grew up in a hard core Christian Family: Bible School, Youth Group, Church EVERY Sunday, praying before every meal. She often condemned me for not following her beliefs. I remember the conversation began with her saying that the “Jews killed Christ”, her personal savior. I commented how ridiculous that was to say. She asked why, in a very accusatory manner. I replied quite simply, “Because. Jesus was a Jew.”

Her reply, “NO HE WAS NOT!!!”

A handful of us had a good laugh at this. Here was a girl that had been educated on “Christianity” ever since her mother popped her out her womb, and yet in all these years, she had no idea where her religion came from. She had no idea that Christianity had been spawned from the Jewish faith. No idea that the “Old Testament” was in fact the Jewish “Torah”.

Stupid Faith.

I just don’t get it folks. Why is it so hard to study the history of something you claim to love so deeply? Worse yet, how can you push religion like a drug pusher pushes dope, when you have no idea what you’re pushing?

And I realize there is a small percentage of you out there who do know your history (although probably none of you are kickin’ it here, skimming through “askapothead.com”.) but those of you who do know, should really help the others out with their biblical history. I mean these “Stupid Faith” morons really make the rest of you guys look fucking terrible.

And while I am at it, you might want to do a little background research on other religions before you go around trying to criticize them. There is nothing worse than an ignorant, “Stupid Faith” individual trying to debunk and convert someone from a system of faith the neither understand or respect.

And that is the key right there, having and showing respect to other religions, or the lack thereof. If I chose not to believe what you do, quit fucking telling me I am wrong. I don’t tell you how ridiculous you clinging to outdated mythology is (not to your face anyway), so don’t tell me how wrong I am for living in the Real World.

But I digress.

Look, just read up on your shit, people. Know what you’re talking about before you open your mouth. Personal faith in anything is good. Having Blind Faith in something can be a good thing, but don’t have “Stupid Faith”, because, well.

That’s Just Stupid.

Written by Hashmander

Spirituality | No Comments »