I was not personalizing your family situation, I was referring to the societal culture which was not open to much questioning of the majority position. Remember the furor at Niceville High School a few years ago when religion, and how it was practiced, became an issue and people lost their jobs? It polarized a segement of the community. Neither majorities nor minorities should rule, there needs to be mutual respect. Standing silently, or stepping aside, while the majority has it’s say, is tantamount to allowing oneself to be bullied or excluded from the team.

I know you mean well, however, If you are talking team, it has to be inclusive, or it is not a team.

I understand your point.

I have Jewish friends and coworkers and we often discuss the issues of our differing beliefs. I cannot pretend to understand all they feel, but I do know what it is like to stand out, and be singled out, because of my religious convictions. So yes, I can empathize with others who have differing believes or opinions.

The only reason I responded to the previous message was because the person made assumptions about me and the way I was raised based on my opinion on the prayer issue.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I would ask that you show empathy for those students who do not believe as you do. You must be able to hear perspectives from the other side of your topic to have a discussion. All I can see is that you’re repeating yourself until someone agrees with you.
Not it.

I apologize for not getting your reply posted sooner as I was off yesterday and don’t tend to check on things from home.

You stated the climate in which I grew up didn’t encourage either quesitoning or authority or speaking out. How do you know that? Have you ever met my parents? I was taught to respect my parents, but there was always an openess to question and speak out if I disagreed. More often than not I heard a statement from my dad such as, “I might not always be right, but I’m still the father.”

I attended the University of Tennessee and took classes that made me think outside MY box contrary to what you might think.

Did my parents take me to church every week? Yes. Was the Bible read in our home on a regular, if not daily basis? Yes, guilty as charged. Am I active in a local church at this time? Again, I plead guilty.

You speak of Tyranny of the Majority, but isn’t it role reversal when the minority can carry so much clout?

But again, I raise the question, what harm comes to someone for showing respect for a prayer with which the majority agree by standing silently as the prayer is being said?

And would you have a problem if the prayer was not voiced in the name of Jesus?

Thanks for you input in the discussion.

The climate in which you grew up did not encourage either questioning authority or speaking out, no wonder you never heard anyone complain. Think outside of YOUR box.