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| Re: No, It's the Liberal Secularists (8241) | |||
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Re: No, It's the Liberal Secularists |
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Posted by Train Dude on Sun Dec 26 09:44:07 2004, in response to Re: No, It's the Liberal Secularists, posted by BMT Dude on Sun Dec 26 09:10:18 2004. On second thought - don't look it up. It's not the issue after all. In the past there were always the Madeline Murray O'Hares who would fight anything religious including "In God We Trust" on coins. I always viewed her as an annoyance and a crack-pot. Unfortunately, it seems as a backlash to our President's 2000 & 2004 election victories, the religious-right has felt a certain flexing of its muscle while the secularist left is reacting.I'm Jewish although not as devout as I ought to be. I also have a wife who is Methodist and grandchildren who are Catholic. I grew up in Brownsville, Brooklyn where on Christmas, regardless of our religion, we exchanged gifts with our neighbors. I went to schools in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and even Staten Island where the sight of a Menorah or a Nativity Scene was placed for those who wanted to enjoy it or to be ignored by those who didn't. I always looked upon the holiday season as a time where there was always something to look forward to. Something to brighten up the otherwise dreary winter. This year, our town hall still had holiday decorations. Belmont Lake State Park still had the big tree lit up with a star on top. I don't care that these are not symbols of my religion. I care that they are meant to bring a little joy and a little beauty to the season. I don't care that public space is used for the display around town hall. I don't care that tax dollars pay for the electric that lights up that tree. I don't care that my grandchildren are exposed to other religious traditions in school. I don't think it will hurt them. After all, it didn't really hurt any of us who grew up in the 50s, 60s or 70s. Yet here we are, debating it and fighting about it in courts. For what? Because of fear of the religious right? Like it or not, our moral codes and most laws that we live by, for the most part have some basis in religious teachings. (please don't post the exceptions - they are irrelovent) I think you can teach civics in school without reference to religion but it would be like building a house without a foundation. Forgive me but I just do not see the danger in allowing religion into the public sector as long as the government does not favor one over the other. What is clear is that here, we've dug in our heels and are set in our positions. I don't think that anyone will be persuaded to change their point of view from the arguments posted here. Was anyone here, who grew up in the 50s or 60s (and I know that I'm not alone) damaged by exposure to other religions in school? Do you really think that kids will be damaged today? If so, how far do we take it? Do we ban any reference to Christmas over the television and radio that use public airways and are regulated by the Federal Government? Just how far do you want to take this? |
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