For any Christian who cares to answer (no offense intended)?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070714162803AAGhS7z&r=w&pa=FZptHWf.BGRX3OFMiTBRVQ4ng2wFEu3gwQfsmpyC7Z2wGHkYkQ--&paid=answered#E8F9BDvNNDHPahB95p75

inspired by the above question.

Do you think non-Christians should have their freedom of religion taken away ?

Do you think the gov't should give preferential treatment to Chirstians ?

If the senate can be opened with Christian prayer, can the senate also be opened with a non-Christian prayer ? Or should ONLY Christian prayers be allowed, as so many Christians have suggested.

Should students in public schools be allowed to pray ? All religions or only Christian ?

Wiccan students have been suspended from schools while Christian students were allowed to wear their crosses. Do you agree with this ?

The gov't gives money to Christian organizations to provide social svcs that consist mainly of evangelising. Bush has flat out stated that Wiccan organization won't be eligible to run social services with tax payer $. agree ?

Reverend C - Of course gov't endorsement of Christianity is nothing new, but my do you think it is correct ? Should this special priveledge continue for Christians, should it be extended to others as well, or should gov't preferential treatment be withdrawn from all religions, and the gov't be relgiously neutral.

Suzi B -- I asked this question of Christians, because someone asked if Atheists want to take away the rights of Christians freedom of religion, so I thought I would turn the question around. If you didn't like me asking the question, did you denounce the same question that was asked of Atheists ? I linked to that question at the VERY BEGINNING of my question, and stated that was then inspiration to my question. If you only object to my question, but not the same question directed at Atheists, then thanks for proving my point.

The reason I asked about the Hindu prayer, is because many CHRISTIAN organizations are actively bloggging against the Hindu prayer, and encouraging their flock to write to their senators. So there ARE many Christians who are DEMANDING that senate prayer be opened with Christian prayer and no other. I was asking this question to see how many here agree with that.

KZ - Students ARE allowed to pray in public schools, voluntarily and non-disruptively, alone or in groups. They can even form after school clubs. They must be student initiated and student led. They can't force anyone to participate & teachers & staff can't lead these activities.

http://www.ed.gov/Speeches/04-1995/prayer.html

For those of you who asked about faith based programs that evangelise and those who asked about Wiccan students in public schools.

http://www.aclu.org/religion/frb/16354prs20040720.html
http://www.baptiststandard.com/2003/2_24/pages/prison.html
http://www.holysmoke.org/wicca/senthome.htm

http://www.holysmoke.org/wicca/roanoak.htm
http://www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/05/12/crusade.lawsuit.ap/index.html

http://www.religioustolerance.org/sch_clot2.htm

Suzi B -

This EXACT same question was asked of ATHIESTS, and all I did was turn the question around. I have made this fact well known , and that is the reason I have asked this question. You conveniently ignore that, and I haven't seen you denounce that EXACT same question asked to atheists, but you don't like the question being asked of Christians ? Thanks for so aptly demonstrating the double standard.

Answer 1

Ok, when you said "If the senate can be opened with Christian prayer, can the senate also be opened with non-Christian pray--you lost me.

The other day it was opened with a Hindu prayer.
It was protested, but still opened with a Hindu prayer.

If you want to bash religion don't just pick on the Christians. Or is it that the Christian are the only ones who don't mind being politically correct so they don't put up as much fuss as other religions when they are told "No" you can't do this or that?

You know you would get flack if you tried this with Muslims, Sociologists, Buddhists, etc. People all over R&S would jump to the defense of these religions because they are trying to be politically correct. Where is this type of defense for the Christians?

As well, I see so much bashing on here. Do all of the bashers in R&S ever study the religions they choose to bash or are you just going on what you "think" you know about a specific religion?

Pangloss---I am not saying that the Buddhist would--I am saying that all of those who don't want to offend any other religion other than Christianity--trying to show the Buddhist some respect out of fear because they don't understand the religion--trying to be "Politically Correct."

WITH ALL THE COMMENTS---I REST MY CASE.
There is political correctness for every religion except Christianity. And, as I said, everyone in R&S would jump on someones case for saying something against the other (for lack of a better word) minority religions.

Answer 2

Because there are many religions out there, I prefer that prayer be done at home or at church or a whisper prayer that doesnt take up any class time.( "Thank you Lord, for this cupcake and juice") I think a non religious prayer would be nice, to whomever you call your god. There are religious organizations that offer free help to the needy through the government. The government should not pay for anything religious unless the president wants to do something according to his own religion during his free time and with his own donated funds or donated money. The president has had Christian musicians perform in the white house before during the evening. There is an organization that pays for inner city kids who are poor, orphaned, sick or have drug problems to go to a Christian camp and ride horses. Since the organization is free, they are able to go through the state and kids are benefited. If a muslim or hindu group, etc...wants to do this, I think the state should take their help if it helpful to the needs of the people. No, our freedom of religion is important. There are all sorts of cults and religions who should have the same rights as the Christians. Why were the wiccan students suspended? Did they have an offensive necklace?

Answer 3

LOL- You get a star. As soon as I read no offense intended on that last question, I knew it was going to be slanted. I'm not holding my breath on getting a best answer nod. I think it is funny that the same people who decry governments that force Islamic law on people see nothing wrong with the American government doing the same with Christianity. Ask one of the people who rails against this, if they want prayer banned from school or In God We Trust taken off our money and see how quickly they defend their beliefs being shoved down everyone else's throats. I think the Christian groups behind the shouting down of a Hindu prayer speaks volumes about their true intentions.
Suzi B- you obviously know very little about the Buddhist religion (which I am a member of). They didn't raise flack and also do not try to shove their beliefs down other people's throats. That is not the way of Buddhism. They do however make a point of studying all the other religions and finding what is useful to them from those religions. Yes, the prayer did go on despite the protests, but I do not hear many Christians decrying the protests. I have a feeling this would be a lot different if it was a Christian prayer being shouted down.

Answer 4

1) we should ALL have the freedom of religion.

2) the government shouldn't give special treatment to any one group. christianity teaches equality.

3) if the senate is opened with christian prayer, it is probably only because the majority of the senate is christian.

4) ALL students should be allowed to pray in school, or wherever else they want- christians, taoists, muslims, whoever. none of us are any higher than the other.

5) i don't agree with the wiccan kids being suspended, but i can say that the same thing happened to me when i was in high school. i wasn't always christian. i got in trouble in high school for wearing a slayer t-shirt with an inverted pentagram on it. i agree- kids getting in trouble for one and not the other is outright hypocrisy.

6) bush is foolish. we already know this. what can you expect? or maybe he realizes that the rest of the world is a little bit afraid of wiccans, because most of the world doesn't understand wicca. here's a hint- find a new term for yourself. when you call yourself a ''witch,'' it doesn't exactly give people a good first impression. maybe you could use a term that refers to you as a nature-lover, or something along those lines. but when you go around telling people you're a ''witch,'' you really can't expect anyone to accept you right off to bat.

Answer 5

This country was founded on freedom of religion. That means that people have the right to worship anything they want, or not to worship as well. No one should have their freedom of religion taken away. I am not sure of what you mean by preferential treatment.
The senate has been opened by a christian chaplain since 1789. The tradition was broken this month after over 200 years of Christian prayer. I am really not sure of the answer to that. It seems that in our efforts to diminish the presence of Christianity, we are uprooting things that once meant a lot to us. The ACLU is relentless in this pursuit.
As for public schools, all religions should be allowed to pray. Like the saying goes, as long as they give exams there will always be prayer in schools.
Wicca has traditionally been associated with evil and devil worship. That is an association that is unfortunate but true. Students are quite impressionable and would see that sect as a way to rebel and do wicked things. In light of that, even though it is just public perception, maybe crosses and pentagrams should be banned.
As for giving taxpayer $ to wiccan organizations, I would have to see what kind of charitable or social services they offer. as of now I know of none. I would take that on a case by case basis.
Just my opinion.

Answer 6

This nation was founded on freedom of religion yet they have taken away our freedom of religion. we are no longer allowed to pray in school. I heard afew weeks back in sunday schoolt hat a school in calif was MAKING kids wear muslim uniforms and do the muslim thing! I think each religion should be allowed to wear what they want provided it adheres to a basic school dress code of no skimpy or short clothing or no clothign that looks nude or has anythign lewd on it you know anythign that looks sorta normal and doens't show too much skin and they may carry their religious text and a flyer for their religious club which CAN meet on school property which is supervised by a teacher, pef of same religion. as for prayer, they need 5 minutes, not just one. some people spend mroe than one minute talking to God an reading the Bible. the Agnostics can take a nap or catch up on homework I'm sure they won't mind.

Now that we tackled that, have the same model copied in the senate and any other business that wishes to run. God shoudl be the head of all business. Open business meetings with silent prayer.

As for money, IT's hard to divide mone between 50 different GOds and pretty silly especially when only one exists. Nice to knwo that Bush is doing somethign wise with taxpayer money. LEt the other religions set up their own organizations and raise their own independant funds since they are minorities. or simply pt a line on next years tax returns and ask about religion so we know what rleigion our country has and we can runt he percentages that way. assume we have the MSOT christians and probably second most muslims and agnostics and aethiests or catholics. divide up the money that way. by percentaes. then everybody gets what they put in for. that way nobody gets stiffed. the wiccans won't get as much and the christians won't et stiffed and wont' feel like they are supporting the devvil.

Answer 7

When I think about the questions you have asked I feel a little sick. We live in America and yet if the community I live in (totally Christian with a church on every corner) knew that I was Wiccan, I would face everything from being treated differently to being agressively discriminated against. The talk I hear at school functions, community gatherings, while doing my volunteer work, ect. is so anti-Pagan that it scares me sometimes. Yet according to the Constitution---ALL religions should be respected and represented without exception. Christians in Iraq must hide their religion and Wiccans in America must also do the same. What's wrong with this picture? Excellent question! Blessings!

Answer 8

No, non-Christians should not have their freedom of religion taken away. God wants us to choose Him not be forced into it.

I don't think the government should give preferential treatment to Christians. But, the way things have been lately, its the non-Christians who get the preferential treatment.

No, the senate should not be allowed to be opened with a non-Christian prayer because they are representative of the people and the majority of people are Christian in America.

Yes, students of any religion should be allowed to pray. Actually, it is still ok to pray in schools, the school just cannot endorse any one religion.

Need more specifics. What were the WIccan students wearing to get suspended?

I agree, but I'm sure if you looked into things, you would see that the government gives money to many non-Christian organizations, just look at Planned Parenthood. "Planned Parenthood receives almost a third of its money in government grants and contracts ($305.3 million in FY 2006)." WIkipedia The government also has to take into consideration if their money would be well spent. Could you give me some examples of wiccan organizations that provide social services and are petitioning the government for money.

Answer 9

Some of your questions I can easily say no to such as other religions not being allowed to begin their day with their morning rituals. Where were the wiccan students not allowed to wear there symbols and were there any other issues involved? What Christian organizations are being given money by the government that consists of mainly evangelizing? As to some of the things you are asking you will find that there are Christian law firms that are fighting to protect other religions rights to practice their religion in schools and other public places.

Answer 10

You ask mainly political questions so I will give you a political answer. The US Constitution insists that no law shall be made to establish a religion. With the growth of an anti God segment in the population beginning in the 19th century the Government started using the term separation of church and state. I actually think separation is a Great idea, but it is not required by LAW! I would go as far as to say that churches should have their property taxed that same as I do. They do receive the same services why don't they pay their fair share of the burden? I will have to disagree that the social services offered through churches is mostly evangelizing. Most of what they do is help in the name of Christ, yes, but still more charity is given by Christian through their churches in the USA than all the charity supplied by all the world's governments combined. I do think what is done by churches is wonderful but it doesn't, or shouldn't release them from their obligations in their local communities.. Police need to be supplied as well as fire protection. Water systems have to be built and maintained. Sewer treatment is required. These things are direct services supplied by the property tax they should be paying. Then Most churches encourage larger families.. I don't think it is out of line to have them help with public schools as well.. Nope that isn't separation of church and state but it isn't establishment of religion either... Jim