22-06-2005 00:39									#91
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quote: Originally posted by Barinthus Say it mentally.

I believe the requirement is to say it loud enough so you can hear yourself. A quiet mumble will do. Not sure if Commisar Oerdin allows that. Even a mumble could disturb the pristine religion free nature of the school space.

How about you eat mentally?

Fortunately SCOTUS is more tolerant of the broad variety of spiritual practice in America than you guys are. You want a laic state, go to France.

In fact France ended up with a laic state because for a hundred years the RC church pushed way to hard for a confessional state. Created a backlash, you know? Thats exactly what you guys are doing, but in the other direction. All this talk of a religion free zone, etc is a gift for the Gary Bauers and Pat Robertsons.

	22-06-2005 01:06									#92
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quote: Originally posted by lord of the mark Youre right. Someone quietly praying doesnt disturb anyone. eating, OTOH, can be quite disgusting. Crumbs, mess, all kinds of bad stuff. Smells. Heck you know some kids bring peanut butter to school, and someones who's alergic can become seriously ill. You want to eat, eat at home. Or in your church, of course. By the way, if school is a religion free zone, should Jewish and muslim kids be allowed to ask for a school lunch entry that doesnt contain pork? Since you know, by avoiding pork, they are practicing their religion?

The state should care about the health of its children, so providing regular meals is his duty esp. when the children are at school several hours a day, depending on your system perhaps even long after the regular lessons.

Religion on the other hand is IMO a private thing. The state should respect certain religious freedoms and details, but it is not his duty to encourage religion. The meal thing shouldn't be a prob - when they can offer additional vegetarian meals (can't comment if they do everywhere, but at least I know it from here) it should be possible to offer pork-free meals as well.

	22-06-2005 01:46									#93
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quote: Originally posted by BeBro The state should care about the health of its children, so providing regular meals is his duty esp. when the children are at school several hours a day, depending on your system perhaps even long after the regular lessons. Religion on the other hand is IMO a private thing. The state should respect certain religious freedoms and details, but it is not his duty to encourage religion. The meal thing shouldn't be a prob - when they can offer additional vegetarian meals (can't comment if they do everywhere, but at least I know it from here) it should be possible to offer pork-free meals as well.

Religion is a private thing, eating is not, but an observant jew wont eat without praying. See theres the problem. Religion, to a traditional Jew, or to a muslim, is NOT entirely a private thing. Its a private, indeed a personal thing, to Christians, especially Protestants.

Of course its not the states duty to encourage religion. What im having trouble with is how the State of California would be "encouraging religion" by failing to ban a muslim student from praying during a break.

	22-06-2005 01:48									#94
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some folks believe in the Jedi religion. Should kids be banned from bring in a lunch box with a Star Wars symbol? Or saying "may the force be with you?" before eating?

alternatively, if we can convince Lucas to a 6 part series on the Jewish religion and history (apologies to Cecil B De Mille) complete with special effects, clunky dialogue, discussion alleged virgin births and the identity of the chosen one, etc perhaps then kids could quietly say a brief blessing before eating, stating that theyre only fans of a popular film series?

	22-06-2005 02:05									#95
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