Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site hou5g.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!drutx!houxe!hogpc!houti!ariel!hou5f!hou5g!jrt
From: jrt@hou5g.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.politics,net.religion,net.flame
Subject: Re: School prayer
Message-ID: <383@hou5g.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 23-Mar-84 10:53:09 EST
Article-I.D.: hou5g.383
Posted: Fri Mar 23 10:53:09 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 25-Mar-84 08:30:22 EST
References: <139@ccieng2.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Holmdel, NJ
Lines: 35

[Where's the BEEF ??? ... I'm Hungry! ... munch, munch]  <- line eater

> From: bwm@ccieng2.UUCP ( Brad Miller)
> Seems to me, prayer in schools is awful close to indoctrination. I
> thought schools were meant to TEACH. If so, how about teaching about all
> the people who have been killed in the name of Allah, Christ, God, whatever.

   I believe that is already being done in most history classes, however
most religions not only don't espouse killing/violence/control.  The OPPOSITE
is most often the case...i.e. "vengence is MINE sayeth the Lord", "turn
your other cheek", "forgive  us as we forgive others"..etc,etc.

> Seems to me most problems in the Middle East come down to religion. Rather
> than perpetuating the problem, we should be educating the children to
> understand why religion isn't necessary; you can take responsibility for
> your own actions, and not foist them off on the will of some 'superior'
> being. Religion has been used FOR TOO LONG as a tool to control the ignorant.

   The conflicts between what you are talking about and what religions stand
for is what a few individuals have done to twist and distort the teachings
of religions for their own personal beliefs and purposes.  Religions have
a fantastic potential for good.  Along with that they also have a very
big potential for ABUSE.  Instead of trying to pretend that religious
beliefs don't or shouldn't exist, why not try to EDUCATE people on what
the various religions are REALLY trying to say, so that in later life,
individuals can make intelligent, informed decisions and can differentiate
between what the religion says and some abuser is trying to get you to believe.

				(** FRODO **) alias hou5g!jrt

p.s.  I wonder how many of you that are screaming about not allowing
	people to pray in schools or public places, make even a hint
	of displeasure known at someone smoking in a non-smoking area
	where thier smoke has been proven to be harmful to people
	around them ......   never mind, that's another flame .....