Manatee School Board says it will fight for prayer

[Az]

http://www.newscoast.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030730/NEWS/307300603/1002/NEWS0101

Excerpt
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Defiant School Board members signaled Monday night that they were willing to fight for the right to recite the Lord's Prayer before meetings.

Fueled by an outpouring of public support from dozens of people urging the board to return prayer to the public schools, board members said they were willing to defy the nation's courts.

"As long as I'm on the board, I will say the Lord's Prayer," board member Frank Brunner said, adding that he wasn't afraid to be led out of the room in handcuffs.



"We have to draw a line in the sand," said School Board Chairwoman Barbara Harvey, suggesting the board seek advice from groups such as the American Center for Law and Justice, which provides legal guidance to Christian organizations.

[Stuckinthebush]

1. People just don't get it

They act like they are persecuted for their beliefs. The point is that a school district consists of students and parents from a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. It is the job of a school board to protect the minority, not the majority.

The recitation of a prayer that is specifically designed for a Christian god does not reflect the diversity of a school district. By reciting this prayer, the board is excluding those that do not share their beliefs.

Here is a thought - just don't pray to anything or anyone. It is a secular institution, keep it that way.

[philosophie_en_rose]

3. Exactly. Why do they have to have a public prayer anyway?

Why couldn't the board members simply pray privately before the meetings, if they had to? I wonder what they would do if some new board member wanted to worship Osiris or something.

Pray harder? or just louder?

[Hotdiggitydog]

9. My theory is that if they have to pray really, really hard...

They risk getting hemmorrhoids. At least thats the way some TV preachers look when they engage in fervent prayer.

[fishnfla]

2. I move

I make a motion: As much time, energy, money and fervor the school board of Manatee Cty. spends on this issue, they must spend on every issue that effects the people they were elected to serve, the students.

[Stuckinthebush]

4. Amen!

oops....sorry. ;)

[yellowcanine]

5. Meanwhile how are the schools doing?

Of course all the science labs are well equipped, all the classrooms are staffed with fully qualified and certified teachers, students with reading disabilities are getting remedial help, truancy and dropout ratesare declining, and all graduates are well equipped to enter the work force or pursue a college degree. No? then shut up and get back to work or resign to make room for somebody who will do what a school board is supposed to do. Dumbasses.

[Mechatanketra]

6. How about a Bible reading, too?

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:5-8.

Thus endeth the reading of the lesson. Any comments from the school board?

[Hobarticus]

7. Someone actually pays attention!

Good show! Gotta remember that one!

[Democat]

8. Satanists need to demand equal time

That would shut these anti-American money wasters up.