Wooo.... in a few days I'll become a CARD CARRYING member of the ACLU!

[Ben Kenobi]

But not with public funds, as public officials.

So then tell me why Christians are paying to have their children taught awareness of other religions in a public school?

And are teachers permitted to wear a cross around their neck? What about politicians? They are all public officials.

[Ben Kenobi]

Right, and public lawns belong to everyone, so if not everyone likes it, it shouldn't be there.

Suppose a Christian donated the money for the park with this clause as part of the stipulation?

[Ben Kenobi]

it's just that Christians are the biggest offenders. How often do you see school funds used to promote Islam?

I went to public school. I learned about the 5 pillars of Islam there, but I sure didn't hear anything about the ten commandments.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
So then tell me why Christians are paying to have their children taught awareness of other religions in a public school?

Being taught awareness of those religions is different from being taught that they are true.

And are teachers permitted to wear a cross around their neck? What about politicians? They are all public officials.

I said as public officials, not by. And that's different from an elected one - religion is part of someone's political views, which a politician is supposed to display. I'm sure you'd disagree with a teacher espousing communism in the classroom.

In any case, a teacher (for example) shouldn't expect to exercise rights to free speech, etc. while teaching a class.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
I went to public school. I learned about the 5 pillars of Islam there, but I sure didn't hear anything about the ten commandments.

You must have a bad memory. Hell, we read a bunch of bible stories in English class! (We also learned about Islam, but we didn't read even part of the Koran.)

[DaShi]

Suppose a Muslim does the same thing? Such clauses shouldn't be allowed. Besides, why would anyone want to do that?

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Japher
So, it's not BS... They don't only attack school funds, buddy... they attack rights, those things that do not require money of any kind.

Such as...

(teachers, etc. are on a public payroll, btw)

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Straybow
They attack the use of historic municipal Seals that happen to have a cross somewhere on it. In one case it was barely visible, if you knew where to look.

In which case I'm against them, but my defense is "surely there are better things to worry about?"

[Ben Kenobi]

You must have a bad memory.

Right.

Hell, we read a bunch of bible stories in English class! (We also learned about Islam, but we didn't read even part of the Koran.)

Even atheists admit the KJV as English literature, so no dice there.

[Japher]

Wearing a head scarf to school... personal practices of hanging signs... etc...

So be it on public property, but it wasn't public officials who a) paid for it and b) hung it

A church sits on a public street... should we ban them too?

CHurches that is, not streets

[DaShi]

Churches are a public service. cbeast

[Imran Siddiqui]

[Kuciwalker]

Fix your tags

[Ben Kenobi]

Being taught awareness of those religions is different from being taught that they are true.

So then people ought to be taught about Christianity and Christian beliefs, about the Trinity, and stuff that Christians consider important to their faith in a class on world religions.

You could even invite a prominent Christian to speak on the topic in order to gain greater understanding.

I'm sure you'd disagree with a teacher espousing communism in the classroom.

I've had to pay for professors who teach communism in my history classes.

I don't mind so long as I get to have my say as to why I believe his arguments to be faulty.

The same is true for public schools. Education should not be about shielding children, but rather about teaching them. Sadly, we veer too much towards the former, in giving them pablum rather than philosophy.

In any case, a teacher (for example) shouldn't expect to exercise rights to free speech, etc. while teaching a class.

It used to be teachers were teachers because they were renowned for their intellect, and understanding. A pupil would not wish his teacher to muzzle their own beliefs, because that would be why they taught in the first place.

I agree, that it is not the place of a math teacher to spend a great deal of time on this subject, but if the topic comes up, I see no reason why the teacher should be prevented from saying what he believes and why.

[Ben Kenobi]

In which case I'm against them, but my defense is "surely there are better things to worry about?"

Rather parochial attitude, Skywalker.

Christians have contributed an enormous amount to American society, such that in order to understand America, and Americans, you need to have some understanding of Christianity.

When an organisation attempts to strip away all the representations of that contribution, that bothers Christians, because that means society no longer values their participation.