klick (05/10/83)
After reading the discussions here from the end of
last week, I can see that things are getting out
of hand *again*. To Bob Lied: I'm very
impressed with your definition of an open minded
person as someone who shares *your* attitude toward
religion. Also, there is *very* little ritual involved
in a minute of silence - unless you consider the act
of not speaking to be a ritual. Finally, if a minute
of silence is taking time away from "the reason kids
are in school," we'd better stop letting kids take
time out to eat lunch, walk between classes, and
have recess. They should sit in that room and *learn*
continuously for the whole time my tax dollars have
paid for!
To Tim Maroney: Silence is also non-voluntary in
a library. Is that a violation of separation of
church and state? I have personal experience with
a moment of silence in a public school (3rd grade, Fla.,
1966-67): while I was aware that prayer or meditation
was appropriate, the teacher *never* presented it
as a "Christian religious interlude", and I certainly
saw no evidence of its hurting anyone. It's really
terrible, too, forcing kids to sit still and be silent
for *one* moment in the day. It's *just terrible* to teach
kids how to be quiet - judging by a lot of kids I've
met, most of them could've used a little practice. Also,
Tim, your example about allowing organizations equal time
assumes that all activities are equal. Allowing the Moonies
(a cult devoted to brainwashing kids) equal time with a
mainline Christian group whose wildest activities are
likely to be praying and reading the Bible is comparable
to requiring a drug club to get equal time. Activities which
are harmful to kids aren't allowed!
To Micheal Cranford: The fundamentalists aren't arguing
with you because your arguments are not worth arguing with.
It's like trying to convince someone that 1+1=2 when
that person is sure that 1+1=3 - I've got better things to
do. I'd just like to mention that, according to your
definition, most college trustees and corporate directors
(including those for your own company!) are incestuous bozos.
Until the next time I can't take it anymore,
Vickie Klick
Bell Labs - Naperville
ihuxu!klickalb (05/11/83)
To Vickie Klick: re: ''silence is non-voluntary in libraries.'' True, however one has the choice of whether or not to go into the library in the first place. In school, if you don't want to be quiet, you do NOT have the option of leaving the building for that minute.