Indiana Republicans Introduce Bill To Allow ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ To Be Required By Schools

Three Indiana State Senators have introduced a bill that would allow schools to impose Christian prayer on the student body.

In order that each student recognize the importance of spiritual development in establishing character and becoming a good citizen, the governing body of a school corporation or the equivalent authority of a charter school may require the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning of each school day. The prayer may be recited by a teacher, a student, or the class of students.

I was not aware that Christianity was the only path to building character and being a good citizen. As an atheist myself, I often go on murder sprees and pillage coastal villages. If only I had had to recite prayers as schoolchild, all my poor victims might have been spared!

Oh, wait. I never did any of that. But I’m not a Christian and I’ve never spoken the Lord’s Prayer in my life. I have plenty of character (some say I am a character!) and I’m a pretty decent citizen. Something is amiss here. Of course, the bill gives students the ability to opt out of the prayer. How generous. They won’t be forced to recite Christian prayers but they’ll still be unnecessarily subjected to them or be forced to leave the classroom. In essence, they will be preached to or banished. Could it be that, instead of fostering a diverse and inclusive atmosphere in the classroom, these Republicans are attempting to promote their own religion above others? To find out, let’s apply The Muslim Test.

Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/01/12/indiana-republicans-introduce-bill-to-allow-the-lords-prayer-to-be-required-by-schools/