I don’t care what religion the forefathers claimed, I don’t care what version of what god they worshiped, I don’t care what verses they cherry-picked, I don’t even care if they helped translate the Bible. What I do care about are the religion clauses in the First Amendment, and nowhere do they say that the United States of America is a “Christian Nation” as so many people claim. Just because you might say we are a Christian nation does not mean we actually are. But the First Amendment – the very first one – says we are free to worship as we please, and that includes the complete absence of religion if that is the personal route chosen.
Many people claim that the only way we found a way to define right from wrong, good from bad, and legal from illegal was from biblical teachings, and because of that, we must use the Bible’s vast list of sins and often antiquated dogma in our legislation. Only we have never done that and never will. Regardless, at this point in humanity’s trek through this galaxy, we’ve been able to discern a pretty good idea of right and wrong, good and bad, legal and illegal, and because of that First Amendment we discussed earlier, using ANY religious text in defense of future legislation is unconstitutional.
But I WILL fight for you to be able to go to church wherever you want whenever you want until the day you die. I will fight for your right to preach on street corners if you want. And I will most definitely fight for your children’s right to be able to bow their head in school or get down on their knees or face the holy land or whatever is necessary to pray to or worship their god.
But you need to understand that prayer will NEVER return to public schools in an official capacity. Why? Well, case in point: I’m a teacher. Based on my open-minded, fair, inclusive, and Constitutional viewpoint expressed in this section, do you want me teaching your kids about ALL the religions? Or just my interpretation of yours? I hear a lot of talk about teachers indoctrinating students (99% of which is political fearmongering,) but if you truly want to see true indoctrination in public schools, force teachers to teach from the Bible. You better be absolutely certain about your intentions if you force Christianity into public schools. I doubt you would be thrilled with the results.
Lastly, somebody will read all of that and still scream, “But they took prayer out of schools.” No “they” did not. Little Johnny can pray whenever he wants in school. I promise. Amen.
Original source can be found here.
