I am not sure what the problem is with having a prayer in the school, as Kitara has said, prayer isn't exclusive to Christianity. Instead of making assumptions that others will feel uncomfortable because they do not share the same belief as those that are introducing the prayer, as long as a person of another faith/belief does not complain, there isn't a problem.
May I also point out that a majority of Wylie's population is Christian, and although public schools are not allowed to favor a religion or teach the students a certain religion, this in no way signifies that a community cannot agree to have a prayer in school. Freedom of religion isn't the equivocal of freedom from religion.
With that being said, you also claimed that "They [The Board] also deny requests for any other religion to allow their voices to be heard," so I am assuming you've heard of cases in which other religions are denied representation- or are you making assumptions based on no credibility?
The reason why I ask, is because based on my knowledge about how some individuals who have an anti-religious bias (as in people whom want religion out of public areas) will usually argue on the lack of religious diversity/inclusion, although in some cases if a community overwhelmingly shares a belief system, the person will argue that if prayers, readings, etc. do not include other religions (regardless of whether or not people within the community actually practice said thing) that the religion of the community should not be allowed.
"I felt so uncomfortable especially since they ask you to stand and I felt that people with different religious beliefs are pressured to participate because it would be visible if they do not. Shaming by peer pressure if you will." The questions that I asked earlier forthe other individual are also directed towards you. Although I do agree that whomever is introducing the prayer, should make it obvious that it is optional (unless it's a student or a community member).
You cannot please everyone regardless. In a hypothetical scenario, where the district would stop introducing prayers, you would still exclude a higher percentage of the community whom wants prayer to be allowed, and note that I am not using this as an excuse to permit the prayer, I'm simply mirroring your concern about exclusion. As I've already mentioned, you cannot please everyone with everything, and you will always some that feel/are left out. With that being said, I do not understand how excluding a majority of the population from being able to pray would be better than getting rid of the prayer altogether, or requiring prayers to be religiously inclusive (even those that are practiced by no one in attendance).
David |
Beverly Hills, CA |
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