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From: ddb@mrvax.DEC (DAVID DYER-BENNET MRO1-2/L14 DTN 231-4076)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Prayer in schools
Message-ID: <7014@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 10-Apr-84 17:10:23 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.7014
Posted: Tue Apr 10 17:10:23 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 12-Apr-84 04:13:05 EST
Organization: DEC Engineering Network
Lines: 30

Actually, it seems that what is being proposed nationally is more like
"religious extra-curricular activities on public school grounds".  I
don't find any harm in this, since churches almost by definition have
their own grounds anyway.

However, if this is done it is critical that all religions be treated
fairly, and I don't think this is likely to happen.  Furthermore, I think
that the christians would be up in arms at the formation of a "young satanists"
club to meet after school in the cafeteria, or a "young druids" to sacrifice
the administration.  (all right, calm down; obviously illegal activities such
as human sacrifice (illegal under the designation "homicide") wouldn't be
permitted).  But, Christians, please consider this seriously:  How can the
law distinguish between you, and satanists (to pick an obvious worst-case,
at least from your point of view)?  The law MUST treat all religions
even-handedly: to do otherwise would be an unconstitutionaly establishment
of religion, not to mention an unpardonable infringement of human rights.
There are things (probably including the satanists, depending on what they
really believed in behind the "shock" label) that I wouldn't want even the
slightest trace of governmental support to go with that I can't distinguish
from Christianity in any objective way -- and objective ways are the only
ones that can be used in a government of laws not men.

THIS IS THE REASON THAT CHURCH AND STATE SHOULD BE SEPARATE!!!  To establish
one church is a disaster, and to support all even-handedly is pretty bad
too.  The remaining alternative seems to be to support none.

I wish this mail system supported an editor.

			-- David Dyer-Bennet
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