I was distressed when I read the article "School prayer disputed"(Nov. 21).
I understand that immigrating cultures have difficulty acclimating themselves to new homes. Some are wrongly treated by people who have lived in that place longer. Past immigrating peoples made great efforts to become part of their new community. I believe this is true with the newer immigrants to Lewiston.
In my work I have met many of these good people. In this country, church and state are separated, but institutions make efforts to accommodate religious requirements whenever possible.
Lewiston Middle School houses a large number of teens. Lunches are rotated to ensure everyone has an appropriate lunch. Classrooms are still being used for other students. Staff is occupied with supervision. It is inappropriate for schools to find private space and supervision for students for prayer in this environment. I know of no religious group accommodated this way.
Children are allowed to miss school for religious holidays and those of all religious affiliations are allowed to pray silently, at LMS.
If my religion required my child to pray during the day, I would see it as my responsibility to find a way the child could perform her religious duty when it did not interrupt education. All adults need to give their children a good model to learn from and complaining does not teach children how to adapt, get along with others or make friends.
Parents, let's do our jobs!
Deanna Marken, Lewiston
I think that SOME in the community (MY OWN home town), SOME in the State of Maine, and SOME in our Country have done a fine job of embarrassing themselves if they say and share the same views as I have seen since the story has posted. Just to think that those SOME have been doing that all along before CAIR and this issue.
"Small minds discuss people, Average minds discuss events, Great minds discuss ideas"~E. Roosevelt
What? A minority group that is not white, Judeo-Christian, or male? Why we should bend over backwards to accommodate them. So what if the unemployment rate of this particular group is still at 50% years after they arrived? So what if you can't say Merry "Christmas", or have a "Christmas" party or show? So what if the crazy libs have gone so far in some schools as to ban even the humming of "Christmas" songs? Could libs be any more hypocritical?
"Reasoning with a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end. " Pirate
Since the only minority group you belong to is loud mouth bigots, you cannot understand, and never will.
I know you can't help it Dan, acting like a fool I mean. I am a minority, I just don't believe that makes me a victim, or that I am owed something. I knew one of you would call me a bigot, just didn't think it would take that long. Five minutes, that's an eternity in name calling responses for libs. I also notice that you have no response other than name calling. Typical. I win.
"Reasoning with a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end. " Pirate
thankfully loud mouth bigots ARE a minority.
So you're saying that you belong to a minority group also? I'm rubber, you're glue....
"Reasoning with a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end. " Pirate
MANY are treated wrongly by MANY people-as well as MANY people talking smack behind their backs because they don't have the kahoots to say it to their faces. LMS back-tracked and said that Muslims will be able to pray in school in a lunch room spot. I am positive that if other advocates from other religions actually had concerns about their child to freely pray whenever, however they want-than they would have to be accommodated to as well. The children shouldn't have to be the ones to be faulted for doing what their religion calls for them to do. The Muslim mother and child were not asking for any interruption in the child's or other children's education. I am glad that the superintendent Leon Levesque-was clear that praying in school is allowed so for those who object to this can finally be quiet!
"Small minds discuss people, Average minds discuss events, Great minds discuss ideas"~E. Roosevelt
Growing up I was always told prayer and religion weren't allowed in PUBLIC schools. As, I went threw history and government in high school, even in college you can read about it. So, are they going to come up with certain places where Christians, Jews, etc can pray during school? Probably not. As someone already said they can be home schooled or much like the Catholics (St. Doms) can start their own PRIVATE school.
LMS back-tracked and said they could. Why are you telling me?
"Small minds discuss people, Average minds discuss events, Great minds discuss ideas"~E. Roosevelt
Never be so foolish as to think none prayed in public school - especially before a test or that big game.
It simply can't be an organized activity.
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When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.
Lewiston High has a Bible Club that meets before and after school. I'd say that constitutes organized, but I guess the difference is that they do not pray in a way that interrupts the education of others.
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[Insert juvenile political statement here]
Nor do Muslims... and if they did or even wanted to its no ones biz to get involved with their religion practices PERIOD.
"Small minds discuss people, Average minds discuss events, Great minds discuss ideas"~E. Roosevelt
Have you contacted the MCLU and advised them of your concerns?
Or just running your mouth off? - (That's why response is the sound of crickets)
My guess is that it is the second.
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When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.
Certain parents won't and we all know why. Their agenda is not to assimilate and blend in with the rest of us, but rather to have themselves stand out and force us to assimilate to their wants and culture. And, they have government on their side; at least at the federal levels.
Pirate says
"Their agenda is not to assimilate and blend in with the rest of us, but rather to have themselves stand out and force us to assimilate to their wants and culture."
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Like the Bible Thumpers and Papists out there.....
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When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.
The term Papist is is considered a very disparaging name to many Catholics. Did you know that, Veritas? Or, did you just not care? Incidentally, I haven't heard many stories lately of "Bible Thumpers" demanding prayer rooms in schools.
How about "Mackeral Snapper?"
That's what my bloody Prod father-in-law used to refer to me as......
You should have seen it when his daughter was married in the Catholic Church..... ;)
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When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.
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Something that has been
Something that has been overlooked is that the Muslim family contacted an outside resource that did NOT contact the school. Contacting a go-between is a wise choice in this matter, since passions were so high. The go-between just didn't "go between" and find out what was going on. It had a knee-jerk reaction and tried to embarass the community. This kind of thing does not help anyone.