Rock Bridge accommodates Muslim students: "It sounds like we set up a mosque in our (public) school"

Columbia, Missouri Daily Tribune ^ | Thursday, October 25, 2001 | CORY de VERA

[motexva]

You make an excellent point and it sounds like a good compromise.

[motexva]

Do you have evidence that these kids are terrorists? Maybe you should call the FBI. Maybe you fail to realize that many - not all, but many - of the Moslems in this country bailed out on their country of origin because it became totalitarian and opressed their ability to practice their religion in a nonfundamentalist way. Many of them are living and fulfilling the American dream and I respect this.

[syriacus]

Make a case . . . demonstrate that your Yahweh religion is an established religion and that it demands that you pray in that matter.

Just who would want to make a case for an established religion in the US anyway? Established religions are in England and other countries---not here.

Most Americans would be afraid to put the words 'established religion' in the same sentence with 'US Government' or 'public education' . Belief in the value of an individual's conscience (ala the Great Awakening) is a good part of the reason we don't believe in dictators in the US.

[rface]

Maybe a true christian would get out of Ashland and go back to Columbia to proselytize to the pagans, sodomites and libs there.

What I do in Columbia is not nearly enough, that's for sure.

[LarryLied]

Again, their religion mandates they pray at certain times of the day. Christianity does not.

Who appointed you the arbiter of when Christians pray? Where do you get off telling a few thousand Christian denominations what their requirements for pray are?

[FairWitness]

I think this smacks all those Christians in the face who have been trying to find a way to pray as Christians in public school.

I agree.

[motexva]

Tell it to the judge.

[Timmy]

I live in Columbia. This town was recently rated "the most expensive city in Missouri" in which to live. Yep, a small town (60,000) in the middle of a state which features metropolitan Kansas City and St. Louis, is more expensive because of the high taxes.

We also have the most liberal state senators and representatives. Not even the socialist, anti-American, hands-out welfare pimps from the two big cities are as liberal as our reps. Lucky us, eh?

[rface]

Lucky us, eh?

But we got Hulshof, and I like him

[Rebforever]

Wonderful rebut. Thank you.

[motexva]

By "established religion" I referred to the guidelines the court uses to determine if someone really has an accomodation issue or is just trying to pull the court's leg. Like the Rastafarian who says he can smoke pot anywhere because of his religion, or the rapist who says he's a follower of Pan, or the Santerians who butcher a goat in violation of city health codes. The court's tradition of stare decisis has created a body of case law for courts to refer to as they decide the legality of these activities and whether a law is constituitonal or not. Earlier in this thread, I laid out what I thought the court would rule if this came before them. By speaking my opinion, not of what I thought, but what I suspect the court would do if asked to rule here, I was attacked.

For the record, I don't think there should be state supported public schools period, and we would not have these debates at all, or complicate our lives with these issues. Therefore, I hold no opinion on this issue, because it frosts me that I have no kids but have to pay taxes to support these government indoctrination camps.

I assure you, my children will pray in school, because they will be sent to a Catholic school. I would never allow my kids in one of those prison camps, and I continually question why other parents do.

I have a decided lack of pity for people who confiscate my tax dollars to educate their children for free, and then complain because the school isn't run in the precise manner that they advocate. They're lucky they have schools at all.

[Dakmar]

What if you had a religion that mandated you snort up some cocaine three times a day? What do you think the Court would say to that?

Have a nice day, Mr. Clinton?

[motexva]

You guys are lucky to have Hulshof, but then again the congressional district includes lots of farmers, ruralistas and other right-thinkers. The MO GOP is preening him for greater offices, incidentally. I used to work with Kenny and he'll go far. I can almost guarantee you he has no problem with the Moslems being allowed to do this, but why don't you write him a letter and see for yourself?

[motexva]

Clinton is a Branch Coke Sniffer, he acknowledges the divinity of Large Busted Big Haired Women also.

[Dakmar]

Just don't accept any 'offerings' from him.

[Dakmar]

Just don't accept any 'offerings' from him.

[LarryLied]

Tell it to the judge.

That is what it comes down to doesn't it? All your prattle about freedom comes down to your hope a judge will take it away. Why not just back off? Get your snout out of other people's faith. No business of yours how anyone relates to their God. If you don't want to hear it, don't listen. Go somewhere else . I suggest Iraq.

[rface]

I think you have misunderstood the arguments here, at least from me. I don't care if they hold their Muslim prayer in Public school, in fact I welcome it as long as they do not discriminate against Christians who have fought to do the same thing and still do on a continuous basis.

Its not the Muslims as much as it is the double standard. Let them all pray!