Did you see the article in today’s New York Times (https://nyti.ms/zBCJcQ)?
A 16 year old Cranston, RI high school student, who is an atheist, sued her school district over a prayer that hangs in her school auditorium. The prayer talks about being our best, growing mentally and morally, being kind and being helpful.
Qualities towards which all of us should aspire.
You might wish her concern over the prayer had lead to thoughtful and respectful discussion rather than a lawsuit or that the outcome of the lawsuit was different, but here is what I fiind most offensive.
A State Representative called her “an evil little thing” on a talk radio program.
The young woman, for standing up for her constitutional rights, has received online threats. I assume from anonymous persons, because it is much safer that way.
And, she now has to be escorted at school by the police.
What is wrong with this picture?
Am I wrong to assume that, at least, some of those who have spoken out or threatened this young woman call themselves Christian?
And how about taking to heart living towards the words of the prayer – being helpful and kind and doing and being our best rather than calling names and making threats?
No wonder more and more people in our country are turning away from religion in general and Christianity specifically.
They may be longing for what I know and name as God, and searching for meaning and hope and purpose in their lives, but this? No, way. And, who can blame them. I certainly can’t.
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