We all get them.  Emails from folks who are busily passing them on to all their friends and family without even bothering to read them, for the most part.  We get jokes and riddles and cute little animations and so forth.  Sometimes we get more.  Sometimes we get political or social commentary with statements like, "If you agree, pass this on to everyone you know!!"

To the person that sent me this email, I hope you will take the time to read my responses, just as I took the time to read your opinions.

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against ! anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of America being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. 

Let's try not to lose sight of the fact that we Americans are a nation of diverse peoples. Our society, language and culture came from that diversity of peoples from around the globe bringing their cultures with them. That's why we speak a form of English much different than what's spoken in England. Ours is peppered with slang and colloquialisms that CAME FROM those people and cultures you seem to oppose. And most of us are not descendants of people on the Mayflower or even people that fought the Revolutionary war. Most of us got here because our parents, grandparents or great-grandparents came here after the nation was founded.

The struggles, trials and victories weren't fought and won entirely by pre-Revolutionary descendants, but by the sons and daughters of later immigrants of diverse cultures, like yours. Leaving them out is a slap in the face to over 94% of this great nation's citizens who came from those later immigrants.

We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language! 

Let's try not to forget that our own original parents, grandparents and great-grandparents that came here didn't speak English either, for the most part, or not very well. It's almost always the case that the first generation to arrive here has a VERY difficult time learning a whole new language. Think you could do it? It's the NEXT generation from those immigrants that grows up here and knows the language. Is it really right or proper or civil for us to condemn these people, when our own roots look just like them? Are we really that shallow and unforgiving in our "Christian Nation" that we can't give these people the same break previous generations gave our immigrant ancestors? That's pretty sad...

"In God We Trust!" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented.

The simple truth of the matter is that our founding fathers never, ever uttered that phrase, not even once. Not ever. It is in error to think they did. Our national motto from Benjamin Franklin was "E. Pluribus Unum" and stood proud as a statement of "From many, One" to declare that we are a nation of diverse people for over 175 years, until Catholics of the Knights of Columbus petitioned to change it during the cold war. Eisenhower signed it into law in 1956. This simply is NOT part of the founding of our nation. It is a reaction to the "Godless Communists" of Soviet Russia in the 50's.

It is also untrue that "Christian men and women founded this country". Most of our forefathers were deists, which is nothing like a Christian. Please read "Memorial and Remonstrance" by James Madison sometime to get a clearer view of what our forefather's thought at the time. Read the documents of Jefferson, of Adams and so on, read the Treaty of Tripoli that our forefathers wrote and passed by nearly unanimous vote that states, "The government of the United States of America is not, in ANY WAY, founded upon the Christian religion."

This is a secular nation. Always was. If you don't know what "secular" means, here's the dictionary definition: http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=secular In short, it means, without religious foundations.

It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture. 

As a secular nation founded by men who were not Christians themselves, and made clear statements that they were not and did not set up a nation based on the Christian religion or any other kind of religion, we need only refer to the Constitution and Bill of Rights to confirm that every individual citizen of this great nation has the RIGHT to free conscience and the RIGHT to choose ANY religion or NONE AT ALL. It is a personal RIGHT and FREEDOM to ALL citizens. No matter what an individual's choice in the matter, they are no less a citizen, nor do they need to MOVE to another country to continue to believe however they want to.

Furthermore, the Constitution states in Article 6 that ANY citizen may hold ANY office or public trust, from garbage man to public school teacher all the way up to President of the United States, REGARDLESS of their religion. It's not supposed to be a factor at all. It is only a factor to politically-active Christians who think everyone needs to be like them and to make this their own Christian country, free from other religions, an idea TOTALLY AGAINST what our forefathers thought and enacted by law.

Our ancestors came here to escape the tyranny of "Christian Nations" throughout Europe. They were nations of laws based on the Christian religion, where religious freedom did not exist; where torture was meted out for blasphemy and other biblical crimes; where women were subservient to men in all matters per the bible; where the Church had the final say in matters of government, law and punishment; where kings were the embodiment of God on Earth, doing His will. 

Nations based on religions have never been free, that's WHY we aren't one. They are full of tyrants and fanatical extremists enthusiastic about upholding their idea of religious right and wrong with swords, bullets and torture devices. Look no further than the Middle East to see nations based on religions and what it means to live in them. The World Trade Center and some 3000 people are a pile of dust because of religious views supported by tyrannical governments. 

The suggestion to move to another nation is a slap in the face, not only to those that don't have the same religious beliefs as the majority, but also to the forefathers who put it into place by LAW as a basic RIGHT for EVERYONE. 

If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. 

Like it or not, our country changes all the time to adapt when necessary. It was set up to be ABLE to change, unlike a theocracy, and that's WHY we are so strong. Our culture is a vast sea of various cultures all boiled into the "big melting pot" we call the U.S.A. "E. Pluribus Unum", remember?

This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. ! But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE. 

The First Amendment makes it possible to state these opinions and REMAIN a citizen of this country. It is an essential part of our freedom to express ourselves, to complain, whine and gripe about anything they want, WITHOUT having to move. These complaints, whines and gripes are what led to the Revolutionary war that got us our independence in the first place. That's WHY it's a fundamental American right to continue to do so, and Madison said it is the FIRST DUTY of it's citizens to do so.

If you agree -- pass this along; if you don't agree -- I don't want to hear about it. 

To whomever wrote that line, why not? Can't discuss the issues? Can't take the truth? Can't defend the lies stated? Your position is, "My way, or move to another country". That is the LEAST AMERICAN view I've heard in a long time and, frankly, it's pretty disgusting.

AMEN

Yeah, AMEN to the views of bigotry and hatred promoted by slapping "Made in America by non-tolerant, loving Christians" on it.

Look, we are a people made up entirely of diverse cultures, diverse peoples and diverse religions. If you want to be a TRUE American, do your part to make this nation a shining star of TRUE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, not just another in a loooooooong history of "Christian Nations", "Jewish Nations", "Muslim Nations" and "Hindu Nations" all slitting each other's throats in the name of God's love. We can do better than that, simply by learning to live with each other in this country peacefully, by respecting our fellow American's RIGHTS to speak up or to worship in any way that want, including not at all. 

Think for yourself, and be glad that the immigrants that came here and spawned you weren't treated the way this article's author seeks to treat others, huh?

All the best,

Buck

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Since the Pledge of Allegiance and The Lord's Prayer are not allowed in most public schools anymore because the word "God" is mentioned.... a kid in Arizona wrote the attached NEW School prayer. I liked it.... 

Now I sit me down in school 
Where praying is against the rule 
For this great nation under God 
Finds mention of Him very odd. 

If Scripture now the class recites, 
It violates the Bill of Rights. 
And anytime my head I bow 
Becomes a Federal matter now. 

Our hair can be purple, orange or green, 
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene. 
The law is specific, the law is precise. 
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice. 

For praying in a public hall 
Might offend someone with no faith at all. 
In silence alone we must meditate, 
God's name is prohibited by the state. 

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, 
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks. 
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible. 
To quote the Good Book makes me liable. 

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, 
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King. 
It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong, 
We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong. 

We can get our condoms and birth controls, 
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles. 
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, 
No word of God must reach this crowd. 

It's scary here I must confess, 
When chaos reigns the school's a mess. 
So, Lord, this silent plea I make: 
Should I be shot; My soul please take! 

Amen 

If you aren't ashamed to do this, please pass this on. Jesus said, " If you are ashamed of me," I will be ashamed of you before my Father." 

Not ashamed. Passing this on . . 

Cute poem... Do we want prayer in school?

Kids, please pause for Muslim Rebecca,
Who'd like to kneel and pray to Mecca.
Now be quiet while Hare Krishna Jay,
Intones his mantra in class today.
Let us give time to Mormon Rod,
Who's ready to become a god.
Catholic kids around the nation,
Will get their trans-substantiation.
Please pause while little Buddhist Kate,
Takes some time to meditate.
Whoops! Looks like our own Shinto Lester,
Wants to worship his ancestor.
And our little Hindu Ivanna,
Thanks Ganash for her nirvana.
And a Scientologist named Peter,
Would like some time on his E-meter.
OK kids, you've given voice,
To the gods of all your choice.
For the lesson today I'm going to tell,
About long division... Oops, there's the bell.
Indeed the parents would object,
From kids' prayers that are not correct,
Because Christian kids would be liable,
To find ideas not in the Bible.
Then we'd see the sour grapes,
Of those theocratic apes,
Who want to loudly voice the prayers,
Of any religion, as long as it's theirs.

Finally....

There is a movement in the United States by religious fundamentalists that claim we took prayer out of public schools and that everything's been going downhill ever since. They claim that we need to get prayer back into public schools to get things right again.

It's important to realize that it is simply a lie that we have taken prayer out of public schools. Every American Citizen has the right to pray whenever and wherever they like, including public school. 

What has been taken away is the ability of the government and it's paid employees (in this case public school teachers) to endorse or lead religious activities such as prayer in their classrooms while performing their roles as public school teachers. 

The courts have ruled time and again that the U.S. Constitution demands that the government remain neutral in matters of religion. Matters of religion are strictly between an individual citizen and his or her own beliefs in that regard. That's what true freedom is.

Just as most in our country would agree that it is wrong for a public school teacher to tell their class that there is NO god, it is for the exact same reason that it is wrong for that teacher to say that there IS a god. It is beyond the scope of our government's mandate to impose a religious doctrine on it's citizens. It is intrusive upon the personal religious views of the individual citizens this government employee is addressing while performing his or her public duties to do so. The teacher's personal views in the matter of religion simply are not relevant or warranted in the government setting of a public classroom.

For a teacher to lead a class in prayer to a god, the teacher is saying, in effect, "there is a god". As the teacher is, while performing his or her duties in the public school, a representative of the government, the government is then saying, in effect, "there is a god". To the school child in that class who believes there is no god or more than one god, the government is saying, in effect, "you are wrong and the government does not represent you and your religious beliefs". This is wholly inappropriate in that the government must represent ALL THE PEOPLE equally regarding religion. The only way to effectively do this is for the government to take NO POSITION in matters of religion. Neither confirm, endorse nor deny. Stay neutral.

That's a plain and simple idea. There's nothing ambiguous about it at all.

The idea that everything is taking a turn for the worse since prayer was removed from schools is just another ploy by the religious leaders to make a case where there is none. There is simply no cause and effect here that can be demonstrated. 

It's like saying that because mass-murderers all ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as kids, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches lead to mass-murder. Even if mass-murderers DID eat PB&J sandwiches as children, that doesn't show a correlation between the two, get it? Do you see how ridiculous it is? With the prayer/worse argument, there's just as much of a connection - none. 

Finally, let's look at the motivation behind this idea of instituting prayer as a part of public school life for our children. Why do the religious leaders want our government employees leading our public school children in prayer? That's easy to sum up in one word: Indoctrination.

They want our children to grow up believing in their particular brand of god, regardless of that child's or parents' personal views regarding religion. Regardless of the personal beliefs of the child or the family raising that child, they wish to override those personal beliefs with a daily ritual that proclaims there is a god. Friends, that simply is NOT religious FREEDOM. That is religious coercion.

You know, it's very popular these days to ask, "What would Jesus do?" Let's face it; All of the popular religious organizations that are leading the charge to get prayer into public schools as a daily ritual claim to believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. So it's probably valid to see what Jesus has to say on the subject to see if they are truly trying to represent him or their own agenda, don't you think?

Well, here it is... Jesus says quite plainly in Matthew 6:1-8 what he thinks of prayer in public:

"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."


Lead by example, they say, and that's what Jesus did. Every time Jesus wants to pray, he goes off alone to pray by himself. It's easy to verify. Just open your bible and read it for yourself.

Jesus describes perfectly the men and women who are leading the movement in America to get open prayers in school, and describes them aptly as "hypocrites". They pray out loud, in public on street corners, in congress, in churches and on TV and radio, using lots and lots of words in prayers that go on and on and on, heaping up empty phrases, as Jesus put it.

Now, if you're a believer, you must ask yourself one question: Will you follow Jesus or the hypocrites? 

Will you follow Jesus' advice to pray in secret, or will you follow the hypocrites that have perverted his message and continue to pervert it every single day? Will you fight alongside them to pray out loud in public schools against Jesus' teachings? Will you blindly follow the Pharisees?

Who's right? Jesus or Jerry Falwell? Jesus or Pat Robertson? Jesus or George Bush? Jesus or John Ashcroft? Is it really that hard to decide?

Do the right thing. Pray wherever and whenever you like without making a big deal of it, quietly and in secret between you and God, as Jesus taught. Keep the government and the religious leaders from perverting Jesus' teaching and the United States' Constitution with open-mouthed, government-led prayer in schools.

If you pray, please pray for the end of ignorance and superstition.

All the best,

Buck

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