The decline in America started when the democrats took God out of the schools. No bibles, no prayer and moral teachings of any kind. No pledge of allegiance and then no flags. Then came the unionization of civil servants. A socialist dream come true. The Democratic Socialist attack on Judeo-Christian values continues to this day. And it now has a similar attack from Islam. Is Satan behind both?
Richard Knight, I have a different perspective regarding prayer in the classroom. As a Jewishly observant 6 year old little girl, in 1st grade public school in Quincy, MA , the morning began with all putting their hands on their heart and loudly, proudly reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance “ followed by enthusiastically singing
“ America the Beautiful “ I loved that.
Then to my shock every student was required to put their hands together in the Church - like 2 handed pose to recite the “ Our
Father Who Art in Heaven “ prayer.
I knew as a 6 year old that that “daily bread” reference in the Our Father” was not intended for our Kosher table at home. Yet Miss Kendall watched us all carefully to be certain none of us skipped a word. Yes, I picked up the words quickly enough, hoping my Jewish God would recognize the impossible situation I was in & understood I was forced into this recitation by Miss Kendall.
As I grew older, I learned about American separation between Church and State, something America’s founders insisted on.
I didn’t mind the prayer per se, my
wish was merely for religious parity, that each student deserves to pray in a manner reflecting their own religious/ family traditions. I would have been happiest if I could recite a Hebrew prayer while the others recited the “ Our Father” or as pronounced in my day with a strong Boston accent
“ Ah Fatha’ “
This is what the folks advocating for School Prayer are always forgetting. America was created by our founders to welcome all religions. If in doubt, log into the Truro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, to read the remarkable letter penned by George Washington after he visited the synagogue for Saturday morning services.
As it happened, by 1962 as I recall, the City of Quincy, removed the requirement to recite classroom prayer led by a group comprised of the local clergy.
None of that clerical group is still alive anymore, but one day I’ll call Quincy City Hall to determine their
reasoning, be it lack of parity or separation of Church and State. If anyone knows authoritatively if “Our Father “ is commonly posed by Protestants as the definitive prayer as the dominantly Catholic Quincy of my youth. I would be grateful to know that answer by any kind reader who knows these things.
Yes, the Lords prayer is said pretty universally across Christian denominations. There are minor differences between the Catholic version and most Protestant versions but its minor. This prayer and the Serenity prayer are said at most 12 step group meetings too. ,.and
Thanks for clarifying my Q about this prayer. Now I see the logic behind it’s use, seeing that the prayer suited both Protestants & Catholic it was assumed the “ Lord’s Prayer” covered all bases, if it is assumed America was a purely Christian only country. I’m eternally grateful to George Washington who was quite the visionary in the mid- late 1700’s .In 1962 or 1963 all the Quincy clergy met together & ended the recitation of prayer in public http://schools.It
Just first reference Abby, that prayer was given to the disciples of Yeshua who was a devout Jew. Its more Jewish to believe in Yeshua than pagan because we werent waiting on a messiah. That was a hebrew idea. Hell, we didn't know who God was buttganks to the faithfuless if the Hebrew ppl, the rest if the world has been given an opportunity to discover El Shaddai.
So thank you. And I'm pretty sure God doesn't hold little children in contempt for being as good as they can be.
Also christianity isn't really a thing. It doesn't exist aside from Judaism. That's a fact. That said, there isn't any rationality behind refusing to allow schools to have a morning moment or two where kids can be encouraged to pray, meditate or just try to think about good things. It doesn't have to be out loud or all kids saying the same prayers. In fact they don't have to pray, they can visualize something that makes them happy or just think positive thoughts about themselves and/or others. Some teachers where I am proposed a moment of silence in which kids could meditate or pray and the rabid atheists freaked out because the word “pray” was suggested as if it would cause their kids to become religious fanatics or turn green, whatever. I think its because they have fear and maybe a bit of guilt and that sends them into some kind of hysterical state. The idea got shot down at the first sign of resistance so it was a missed chance at giving kids a way to possibly just get grounded and centered at the start of the school day.
The decline in America started when the democrats took God out of the schools. No bibles, no prayer and moral teachings of any kind. No pledge of allegiance and then no flags. Then came the unionization of civil servants. A socialist dream come true. The Democratic Socialist attack on Judeo-Christian values continues to this day. And it now has a similar attack from Islam. Is Satan behind both?
You betcha. If this was Jeopardy you'd have just won the daily double!!!
Agree, sadly!
This is wonderful. I keep re-reading it.
Richard Knight, I have a different perspective regarding prayer in the classroom. As a Jewishly observant 6 year old little girl, in 1st grade public school in Quincy, MA , the morning began with all putting their hands on their heart and loudly, proudly reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance “ followed by enthusiastically singing
“ America the Beautiful “ I loved that.
Then to my shock every student was required to put their hands together in the Church - like 2 handed pose to recite the “ Our
Father Who Art in Heaven “ prayer.
I knew as a 6 year old that that “daily bread” reference in the Our Father” was not intended for our Kosher table at home. Yet Miss Kendall watched us all carefully to be certain none of us skipped a word. Yes, I picked up the words quickly enough, hoping my Jewish God would recognize the impossible situation I was in & understood I was forced into this recitation by Miss Kendall.
As I grew older, I learned about American separation between Church and State, something America’s founders insisted on.
I didn’t mind the prayer per se, my
wish was merely for religious parity, that each student deserves to pray in a manner reflecting their own religious/ family traditions. I would have been happiest if I could recite a Hebrew prayer while the others recited the “ Our Father” or as pronounced in my day with a strong Boston accent
“ Ah Fatha’ “
This is what the folks advocating for School Prayer are always forgetting. America was created by our founders to welcome all religions. If in doubt, log into the Truro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, to read the remarkable letter penned by George Washington after he visited the synagogue for Saturday morning services.
As it happened, by 1962 as I recall, the City of Quincy, removed the requirement to recite classroom prayer led by a group comprised of the local clergy.
None of that clerical group is still alive anymore, but one day I’ll call Quincy City Hall to determine their
reasoning, be it lack of parity or separation of Church and State. If anyone knows authoritatively if “Our Father “ is commonly posed by Protestants as the definitive prayer as the dominantly Catholic Quincy of my youth. I would be grateful to know that answer by any kind reader who knows these things.
Yes, the Lords prayer is said pretty universally across Christian denominations. There are minor differences between the Catholic version and most Protestant versions but its minor. This prayer and the Serenity prayer are said at most 12 step group meetings too. ,.and
Thanks for clarifying my Q about this prayer. Now I see the logic behind it’s use, seeing that the prayer suited both Protestants & Catholic it was assumed the “ Lord’s Prayer” covered all bases, if it is assumed America was a purely Christian only country. I’m eternally grateful to George Washington who was quite the visionary in the mid- late 1700’s .In 1962 or 1963 all the Quincy clergy met together & ended the recitation of prayer in public http://schools.It
Just first reference Abby, that prayer was given to the disciples of Yeshua who was a devout Jew. Its more Jewish to believe in Yeshua than pagan because we werent waiting on a messiah. That was a hebrew idea. Hell, we didn't know who God was buttganks to the faithfuless if the Hebrew ppl, the rest if the world has been given an opportunity to discover El Shaddai.
So thank you. And I'm pretty sure God doesn't hold little children in contempt for being as good as they can be.
Also christianity isn't really a thing. It doesn't exist aside from Judaism. That's a fact. That said, there isn't any rationality behind refusing to allow schools to have a morning moment or two where kids can be encouraged to pray, meditate or just try to think about good things. It doesn't have to be out loud or all kids saying the same prayers. In fact they don't have to pray, they can visualize something that makes them happy or just think positive thoughts about themselves and/or others. Some teachers where I am proposed a moment of silence in which kids could meditate or pray and the rabid atheists freaked out because the word “pray” was suggested as if it would cause their kids to become religious fanatics or turn green, whatever. I think its because they have fear and maybe a bit of guilt and that sends them into some kind of hysterical state. The idea got shot down at the first sign of resistance so it was a missed chance at giving kids a way to possibly just get grounded and centered at the start of the school day.
You have been raised up to speak into such a time as this.
Lord God protect this man and his family and broaden his reach. In the name of Jesus Amen
Nope, its what it looks like…at least to me.