Religious Anonymous

Hi, my name is Kerry and I'm an atheist.

I don't believe in God.  This may come as a shock to some, not so shocking to others.  What I believe is that there is good in everyone and people are in my lives for a reason.  I don't practice any religion but I suppose if I did the one I would most closely affiliate myself with is Buddhism. 

I have a lot of family members and friends that are Christians.  For the most part, religion does not play a part in my relationship with any of these wonderful people.  I'm never made to feel bad for not sharing their beliefs and for that, I'm truly grateful.  I don't talk to them about my disbelief in God and consciously or not, they don't talk to me about their beliefs.  It's worked great.

And then today an acquaintance posted this on facebook with a big ol' AMEN in front of it:

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 :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

Now, this is where I take offense.  First of all, this came from America and you can tell it's American - we don't have a Pledge of Allegiance in Canada.  I simply put a comment underneath the post that I find it interesting that people keep trying to put God in public schools.  As more and more people are immigrating to our country and bringing their cultures and beliefs with them, how are we being accepting to them by forcing God down their throats?  Is it right to ask a Muslim child to promise something to God if that is not what they believe?  I simply stated that if you want God in your school then send your kid to a Christian school.

And I was one of those blue haired kids - I turned out just fine.  It's just hair.  Maybe the pregnant teen made a mistake and trust me, she's going to be well aware of that mistake for the rest of her life.  Why be so judgemental?  For those of you who are anti-abortion, keeping the baby is what you want them to do and you shouldn't belittle someone for making the choice that you support and protest for.  Why can't anyone live their life without being judged?  You NEVER know what is happening on the other side of the street and the ones who hide behind their goodness because of their Christianity are the ones that send me over the edge.

Funny, I just put a few thoughts underneath the post and now I've been unfriended on facebook because of it.  Obviously, we were just acquaintances so I don't REALLY care, but the fact that it happened because I was just trying to add a different dimension to the conversation is bothersome to me.

Hey, this is Canada and it's 2013.  I'm entitled to my beliefs as is everyone else.  I don't think that God belongs in public schools any longer.  Even if 90% of the school is Christian, there is 10% of the school that is being alienated and is that fair?  Why don't we celebrate the religions of every student in the school?  Isn't it easier to just keep religion where it belongs - at home, in your community and in your life?  Does it have to come into mine?  What purpose does it serve at a public school?

I have very strong feelings about that, this is my blog and this is my spot to say something about it.