I am not the type to say "you can't pray because it's not my theory" to anyone.

Yesterday at work I was having a rather random conversation with two older women at work. One of them a very bitter old woman, the other a rather problematic woman.

We somehow landed on the topic of religion throughout the world but centrified on our country.

The topic of school prayer arised and the problematic woman had the (gall IMO) to say "If you don't want to pray in school, then get out of the country!"

My immediate thought was that the bitter woman would say the same. I spoke first and said "Please though, consider people of different religions being forced a general prayer in school, is that fair?" and the bitter woman came to my defense (which shocked me after all the nasty comments I had gotten from her previously) and said "No! It's not! A child who believes in another custom should not be forced to pray to another religions deity!" and the problematic womans retorted with "well what about a courtroom! They have to sware on the bible, the BIBLE is not everyone's religion, yet they still must do this!" to which BOTH the bitter woman and I responded "no, that's not true."

This might be news to some, or it might be stating the obvious to others.

In some courtrooms accross the country, people are allowed to choose either to tell the truth upon the bible, or to simply tell the truth without the bible. In other courtrooms, they provide other religions holy books to mimic the religion, but not mimic the unified system of prayer. IE, the Koran.

How does everyone else feel about this?

Soul,

Interesting subject that will no doubt spark some controversy...

Personally I believe that religion should be taught in every school. But when I say religion - I mean every religion. I think that we would go a long way to curbing hate and ignorance if we taught the basics of all religions. We are a "global" community now and we cannot ignore that there are people all around us with different religions and ways of worship. Let's learn to understand the differences and respect these differences. There are too many wars out there currently being fought and in history that are based on religious conflict. If religion (any one) is good then why do we fight over it? I don't care what your religion is as long as you respect society and treat people with dignity.

As far as the problematic woman is concerned - "If you don't want to pray in school, then get out of the country!" Where is the Christian fellowship message in this comment???????

Everyone out there is not a Christian and therefore I believe that no one should be expected to pray unless they are allowed to pray in a way that respects their own religion.

Regarding Bibles in courtrooms, there are TWO ways you can be sworn in. One is on a Bible. The other is by affirmation, whereby you opt to tell thetruth using either a scared text that you beleive in, or simply "vowing" to tell the truth because you believe in honesty.

When called upon to make an oath (and I have had to in court many times) I choose to "Affirm on my child's beating heart"! It is always accepted as proof that I will tell the truth.

secondly, I just have to add, that as a Native person (or pre-American) I could have answered the obnoxious woman's comment about saying the pre-existing prayers of the country,"or get out of the country" with "Shall I help YOU pack?"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Menolly

Teb, may I just say that I agree with you 110%!!!! I cannot speak the words I feel 90% of the time and once again you have spoken for me and my tied up in knots brain :) Thank you.

Menolly, I'm glad one of us has done this. I fear that I'll be sworn in one day and I will be forced upon a bible. I'm not saying religion is bad and I refuse it, but if I don't believe the same things as another, I would feel disrespectful in using their Holy Book to place upon my truth.

You're both wise beyond time itself and I love you both dearly :)

By the way, When the bitter woman and I discussed this with the problematic woman, if either of us showed a separate answer to hers, she rolled her eyes and shunned our words. How's that for closeminded?