curts@mako.UUCP (08/07/84)
Since the subject has come up again, I would like to say something
against allowing a moment of silent prayer in our schools.
It creates a political bias in favor of certain religions. Thus, it
restricts the religious freedom of anyone not adhering to those
religions. This is wrong. This is unwise and this is dangerous.
Why. Because a silent prayer requires silence. And. Many religions (in
fact, I think it may be a majority of religions) require that you must
chant, ullalate (sp?), or answer questions out loud. For some, the silent
prayer is not an acceptable religious practice.
So, you could argue that those wanting to pray should not be penalized
by those that can't. Wrong. If the government allows silent prayer, it
is giving tacit approval to a method of worship, at the expense of all
religions that do not involve this methodology. This would place a
terrible psychological burden upon *some* children.
If you are in favor of this silent prayer, consider this. What would
you do if the U.S. government allowed a few moments wherein children
could spin prayer wheels and burn inscense, but not speak or close their
eyes.
Curt Stephens
Engineering Computing Systems
Tektronix, Inc.
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