• Illinois School Prayer: Moment Of Silence Could Be Back Soon
    82 replies, posted
My school has had a moment of silence for as long as I can remember. It's allegedly for those who have died in service.
I don't see how a moment of silence is inherently religious but participation definitely should not be mandatory. If a student doesn't want to partake they should be permitted to leave the room until it's over. [editline]16th January 2011[/editline] I can also see some First Amendment problems associated with this being mandatory.
My friend says the pledge of allegiance to McDonalds instead at our school.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;27464811]I don't see how a moment of silence is inherently religious but participation definitely should not be mandatory. If a student doesn't want to partake they should be permitted to leave the room until it's over.[/QUOTE] in my high school we get yelled at if we don't stand for the pledge (for most teachers anyways) and one bitch in the gym (yes there are gym homerooms, i'm part of one) constantly shouts at her class that they have to stand. at least we can sit down for the silence portion.
[QUOTE=SgtCr4zyAlt;27464874]in my high school we get yelled at if we don't stand for the pledge (for most teachers anyways) and one bitch in the gym (yes there are gym homerooms, i'm part of one) constantly shouts at her class that they have to stand. at least we can sit down for the silence portion.[/QUOTE] That sucks, and is wrong. Where I live it's fucking weird since I live in redneck-ville, but no one would say the pledge and some wouldn't even standup.
[QUOTE=SgtCr4zyAlt;27464874]in my high school we get yelled at if we don't stand for the pledge (for most teachers anyways) and one bitch in the gym (yes there are gym homerooms, i'm part of one) constantly shouts at her class that they have to stand. at least we can sit down for the silence portion.[/QUOTE] Tell her/him that freedom of speech and expression are two of America's core values and, as a patriot, you exercise them as much as possible.
I'm an Atheist and I still think we should just have the moment of silence, it's respectful.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;27464932]Tell her/him that freedom of speech and expression are two of America's core values and, as a patriot, you exercise them as much as possible.[/QUOTE] Been tempted to, the only thing holding me back is that I'd look like jackass to my peers, considering the maturity of most of the high school class.
I hate school prayers, they just single out people of other faiths and beliefs and make them seem abnormal.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;27464811]I don't see how a moment of silence is inherently religious but participation definitely should not be mandatory. If a student doesn't want to partake they should be permitted to leave the room until it's over. [editline]16th January 2011[/editline] I can also see some First Amendment problems associated with this being mandatory.[/QUOTE] Since I was in high school in Illinois during the last moment of silence law, it was all led through the PA system. The principal or an assistant got on the PA and told everybody they had to do this, and if I remember correctly they told us when we could stop being silent. The biggest issue with the law is that it's led by the school administrators. If people want to pray, they can go ahead and do that and not make everyone do it.
[QUOTE=Roskarnolkov;27463755]Problem, angsty atheists?[/QUOTE] Yeah but not with a moment of silence in schools my problem are retarded posts like that.
[QUOTE=PvtCupcakes;27465204]Since I was in high school in Illinois during the last moment of silence law, it was all led through the PA system. The principal or an assistant got on the PA and told everybody they had to do this, and if I remember correctly they told us when we could stop being silent. The biggest issue with the law is that it's led by the school administrators. If people want to pray, they can go ahead and do that and not make everyone do it.[/QUOTE] What prevents you from working on schoolwork or something? You'll still be silent (which is respectful to those who wish to participate) but you won't be observing anything. My college had a luncheon recently where they said grace beforehand, I just respectfully sat there and let the people who wanted to do it do it, and there was no issue.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;27464811]I don't see how a moment of silence is inherently religious but participation definitely should not be mandatory. If a student doesn't want to partake they should be permitted to leave the room until it's over. [editline]16th January 2011[/editline] I can also see some First Amendment problems associated with this being mandatory.[/QUOTE] What's the point? Most kids are too young to reflect on anything of particular importance any way. I remember the one minutes silences for 9/11 in school (which I do understand was more for respect reasons so I'm not against things like that) and I really had no idea what I was supposed to be remembering. Silent contemplation is more useful to older people.
[QUOTE=carcarcargo;27465257]What's the point? Most kids are too young to reflect on anything of particular importance any way. I remember the one minutes silences for 9/11 in school (which I do understand was more for respect reasons so I'm not against things like that) and I really had no idea what I was supposed to be remembering. Silent contemplation is more useful to older people.[/QUOTE] Not all kids are stupid.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;27465243]What prevents you from working on schoolwork or something? You'll still be silent (which is respectful to those who wish to participate) but you won't be observing anything. My college had a luncheon recently where they said grace beforehand, I just respectfully sat there and let the people who wanted to do it do it, and there was no issue.[/QUOTE] During the time I just kind of ignored it as well. But I do remember like half of my class complained about it every morning until the law was ruled unconstitutional. They called it "the stupidest thing ever".
We have a moment of silence at our school. It's like 10 seconds long and no one really cares.
[QUOTE=Roskarnolkov;27463755]Problem, angsty atheists?[/QUOTE] wow way to generalize all atheists heres a token
Although I don't personally view this to be a major issue, there can be certain problems that may prop up with the addition of such "Moments of Silence". The major one that I see is the ostracizing and separation of children who do not wish to partake in the activity. Students and teachers who see that a student does not participate may act differently towards him, diminishing the student's performance and social life within school. Either way, I believe the majority of students would simply do it to fit in with the rest of their peers, which may or may not be beneficial depending on whatever views you hold- I personally view such an addition to be pointless and lacking thought.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;27465278]Not all kids are stupid.[/QUOTE] It's not stupidity, most just haven't seen enough of the world, well except your one in a million child prodigies
[QUOTE=SgtCr4zyAlt;27463961] what's the point of have a silent moment at all if it's not for any apparent reason?[/QUOTE] Well in Britain we would have a minuets silence for Remembrance day for the fallen in throughout British warfare. But there was no praying involved, just stood there for a minuet in silence.
[QUOTE=Vasili;27468094]Well in Britain we would have a minuets silence for Remembrance day for the fallen in throughout British warfare. But there was no praying involved, just stood there for a minuet in silence.[/QUOTE] A silent minuet seems like a bit of a contradiction :v:
Time for atheist children to learn to use there pokerface.
[QUOTE=imasillypiggy;27470084]Time for atheist children to learn to use there pokerface.[/QUOTE] Hahaha, No. It's time for atheists to pull the silliest faces they can while moving as actively as they can while making as little noise as possible. It asks for silence, not stillness.
I am excited about this. I wish more schools had this. How about instead of catering to the needs of the non-religious, we give the religious kids a moment in school so they can pray. I can't even find time in the day. what am I to do? pray while running to my next class? pray while unlocking my locker? I like this.
[QUOTE=macacan;27470119]Hahaha, No. It's time for atheists to pull the silliest faces they can while moving as actively as they can while making as little noise as possible. It asks for silence, not stillness.[/QUOTE] Eh. I think you can make noise in protest if you want. I don't think the law is going to punish you if you aren't; just don't do anything that would normally get you in trouble at school. Talk to a friend during the moment of silence or whatever. [editline]16th January 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Mr. Sun;27470173]I am excited about this. I wish more schools had this. How about instead of catering to the needs of the non-religious, we give the religious kids a moment in school so they can pray. I can't even find time in the day. what am I to do? pray while running to my next class? pray while unlocking my locker? I like this.[/QUOTE] Lol I remember people saying stuff like this at my school when this law first happened and I totally forgot about it. Cracks me up every time.
Hmph. Since when did a moment of silence out of respect for others become something that needed this much political controversy.
It's only because the word "Prayer" was added on if it was just "Moment Of Silence Could Be Back Soon in Illinois Schools" nobody would care
[QUOTE=PvtCupcakes;27470200]Eh. I think you can make noise in protest if you want. I don't think the law is going to punish you if you aren't; just don't do anything that would normally get you in trouble at school. Talk to a friend during the moment of silence or whatever.[/QUOTE] The law may not, but the teacher will. Kinda like shouting cocks out in the middle of a lesson, not illegal, just frowned upon and punished under that area of legal limbo that is childhood.
[QUOTE=Mr. Sun;27470173]I am excited about this. I wish more schools had this. How about instead of catering to the needs of the non-religious, we give the religious kids a moment in school so they can pray. I can't even find time in the day. what am I to do? pray while running to my next class? pray while unlocking my locker? I like this.[/QUOTE] This is a good post and I hope to see more like it in the future
i just kinda stand for the pledge, i'm rebellious as fuck yet still tame
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