The problem is not prayer as such. It is *state sponsored* prayer. It has been commented that as long as there are exams there will be prayer in schools. But, the teachers should not be directing it, it should not be required (even through peer pressure), nor should state money go to support it.
Individual prayer is fine. State led prayer is not. See the difference?
2007-01-05 01:54:34
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answer #1
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answered by mathematician 7
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I think I am in a good position to answer this because I was a Christian for 2 years, now I am an atheist again.
As an atheist, I am not oppositional about prayer at all, even if it is voiced. I am also not opposed to muslim prayer, which must take place at certain times and is much more than saying words. Muslim prayer involves the whole body in worship of their God.
Prayer has benefits. It relaxes the individuals praying and gives them confidence. These are very good for the people praying and society as a whole. When corporate prayer is done, many people are all thinking and talking about the same thing together, in unison. This helps build the community spirit in the church in the same way prayer does in a mosque.
Now, I honestly believe that those who are oppositional to prayer feel threatened by it. I no-longer pray, as I no-longer believe in a deity but when I did pray, it gave me a sence of well-being and a focus. Who would oppose to a world where everyone feels content and relaxed?
Some people are naturally hostile. There are hostile athiests who feel all prayer should be banned, but there are also hostile Christians who can not understand how an atheist can have morals when they don't believe in the Bible, and we all know about hostile Muslims.
I do not think the issue here is hostility towards prayer, rather hostility towards belief. As atheists don't tend to pray, the Christian hostile will attack some other part of their life.
This is a situation where religion must be taken out of the equation. If someone is hostile towards other people's beliefs, that is their problem and they should learn how to accept the views and beliefs of others.
Now, this leads me on to state-sponsored prayer in schools. This is not an issue in the UK as much as it is in the USA, but my understanding here is that the Christian parents would like their children to be taught in a Christian school with Christian ideals. That is absolutely natural for a parent to care for their children in this way. The problem arises that not everyone can be pleased at the same time. Atheist parents don't want their children saying prayers, but why not?
Tolerance is needed. If prayers are said in school, and the children believe what they pray, what is the harm done? The parent's ultimate responsibility is not to dictate what the child must believe, it is to raise them and prepare them for life.
Maybe prayers are school shouldn't be allowed, as it would prepare the Christian children for the real world where most people don't pray (like in Britain).
Maybe prayers in school should be enforced because it would prepare the atheist children for the real world where most people do pray (like in parts of the USA).
There is no easy resolution to this issue, as one side of the arguement will always lose. Whatever the outcome, arguing about it will not help your children's development. Accepting it and teaching your children tolerance is the answer.
No-one should be oppositional to prayer, whether it's silent or out-loud. The bottom line is, we all believe in free speach. You can not mute the Christian population.
If you are an atheist and you are opposed to prayer, then why not stand and say 'I don't believe in God' whilst people near you are praying. Don't try to over-power their voice with yours, don't try to shout over them. Just say your bit as they say theirs. Sound rediculous?! Well that is the only sort of solution that will come from an arguement like this!
Or you could just live with it. We all share the same world, no-matter what your beliefs.
And to clarify, I am an atheist.
2007-01-08 10:48:48
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answer #2
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answered by Mawkish 4
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But Christians don't want "silent and unintrusive (sic)" do they?
If that were true, why have they pushed to keep a vocal and intrusive prayer in Congress? And why did they first push for the same in the schools until they figured out it would never work?
And why have they repeatedly opposed repealing the 1952 "under God" phrase from the vocal and intrusive Pledge of Allegiance in U.S. schools?
I guess you were too busy being silent and unintrusive in our science classrooms, eh?
2007-01-05 09:16:13
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answer #3
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answered by Brendan G 4
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Not all atheists are like that. Some are some are not.
Just as many religious sects are against athiests. Some are and
some are not.
It is NOT the religion or the athiest (which is a religion all its own) that is the problem. It is the individual human being.
We are as race must STOP blaming everyone and everything else and start taking up personal responsibility. ONLY then will any true progress be made.
2007-01-05 09:09:38
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answer #4
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answered by moudoku 2
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As a purlely secular person, I have no problem whatsoever with prayer, church, or the belief if fairie tales. Anything from which folks get positive strength is a good thing.
My only trouble with religeon in any form is when others try to ram thier own beliefs down my throat, or expect the law of the land to reflect thier own personal agenda.
2007-01-05 09:10:46
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answer #5
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answered by alanc_59 5
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They are their own little god, so why should they not get irritated if people ignore them for the contact with the True God. It is rather easy to make up convenient god's for ones liking.
There are sex gods, money gods, sports & entertainment gods, political gods, false religious gods etc. Everyone will indeed find something to worship, it is indeed in our make-up. There is absolutely no way to side step this , simply because there are higher powers than us, we are very flimsy, but unique.
When they say there is no god, then they play the role of the 'me' god-Narcissis!
2007-01-05 09:33:34
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answer #6
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answered by THA 5
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I am an atheist but when I'm together with religious people praying (like my mother in law) I am silent and respectful. This respect is for the person and not for the religion. Everyone is entitled to his own belief or non-belief.
2007-01-05 09:10:57
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answer #7
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answered by NaturalBornKieler 7
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They think it is a waste of time.
Most people judge what other people do, if it is not something they would do themselves, as a waste of time. Just like you think it is a waste for them to be atheist, they think it is a waste for you to be religious.
People all need to realize that no matter what our beliefs are we are in this life here together. It doesn't matter if we agree or not. It only matters that we're here and we take care of ourselves and those around us in the best way we know how.
DUSTER - you're wrong. Praying does not remind non-believers of their sins. It would only do so if they thought of them as sins and they don't.
2007-01-05 09:14:13
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answer #8
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answered by ceaz 3
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First of all, it's spelled "atheists."
Second, what basis do you have for your assertion that atheists are "typically oppositional" about prayer?
If y'all want to pray silently, have at it. Just leave me out of it and don't delay my day.
P.S. I love that certain posters here who claim to be Christian are self-appointed experts on what atheists think. I don't make claims about what "all atheists" think, much less "all Christians." Kindly refrain from holding forth on what you know nothing about: my thoughts and morals. I'm secure in what I believe, and I have no need to force it on others. If they'd accord me the same respect, we'd have a lot more cordiality in this world. Gee, where have I heard that about treating others as you'd like to be treated?
2007-01-05 09:08:37
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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I guess I consider myself somewhat atheistic... and prayer doesn't bother me. If I am somewhere ( say a funeral ) where there is a prayer I bow my head and do the motions I just remain silent until after. Just because I may not believe it does not mean I can't allow the people who do to have their moment.
what gets me is the people who are so opposed that to have "in god we trust" printed on their money seems to cause them physical and mental anguish... cuz wow that just makes it so horrible to spend. I am kept awake at night to know my money says that. Or to have to say "under god" in the pledge of allegiance...
2007-01-05 09:10:44
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answer #10
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answered by Dylan m 3
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