It always comes back to the same place. Unless people get defensive. In which case it gets silly. I only get a little upset when religion is forced on people. Prayer in public school for example. I don't mind seeing someone praying in a public school. If it is of their own accord and it isn't disruptive to the business at hand. The 3 R's. Some see this as an attack on religion. The school should have zero to do with a moment of silence or a prayer, A pledge allegiance to the country shouldn't be capped off with a praise to a religious figure of any kind as an official display. I don't care if they do it at a baseball game because that is a private business. But if you are using government money its different. IMHO.

Well, when people get defensive over it then it is a sign of their level of maturity, whether they are a Christian or a non-believer, wouldn't you agree? There are plenty of displays of immaturity in this regard in both camps.

I respect your opinion regarding prayer in public. I guess for me the answer lies in whether or not prayer existed in these places you have mentioned since the founding of our country and before. Why is it that prayer existed in these places for the first nearly 150 years of America, and since has not? But that's just my humble opinion...

I could point out that America has done many things wrong for 150 years. From slavery on. Its that we eventually have to face the meaning of our own proclamations. We eventually get it right.

Well, we'll have to keep a close eye on recent, current and upcoming Supreme Court decisions to see if you are right about that, Mikeyy. I have to tell you, though, that I have my reservations.

As far as slavery goes, now that was something that was truly forced on others. Observing a moment of silence for those who might like to pray seems more to me a courtesy. I hope the damages caused by that little bit of quiet time is not so great that reparations are expected from those who were "forced" to be silent.

What are we debating again?

Hmmmm... it would seem to me that if you ostracize a non-believer, you are failing miserably at the whole "do unto others" mandate - Jesus never said, only if those "others" believe in me.

I think, the issue is in the difference between being "religious" and being "spiritual". There are many religious people who are not spiritual (they go through the motions, but don't actually feel it in their hearts), and vice versa. My aunt is a religious fanatic who made her children pray two rosaries a day... it did not stop her from threatening her son with throwing him out for impregnating his girlfriend when he said he did not want to marry her, and later ostracizing the grandchild.

The most important thing about going to church is not actually that your body is there, but that you are nourishing your soul. God is in everything that is good, so if you are moved to do something good, that is the will of God, and I will see God in you... whether you choose to see him yourself or not,

I had an uncle who was a Republican, mean, and an atheist. Would that prove all Republicans are atheist or mean? Or would that prove all atheists are mean or Republican?

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Consumption is indeed important in a free economy: particularly the freedom of consumers to buy their goods in unhampered markets. However, key to long-term economic growth is investment (savings), which is the opposite of consumption. Public policies that promote consumption — such as low interest rates — do so at the expense of savings. Less savings means less investments; an economy that does not save or invest will consume all of its resources and eventually end up bankrupt.-David Saied

Maybe it means your mom or dad had a brother. Sorry couldn't help it. The devil made me do it.

Proves my point! You had an uncle.

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Consumption is indeed important in a free economy: particularly the freedom of consumers to buy their goods in unhampered markets. However, key to long-term economic growth is investment (savings), which is the opposite of consumption. Public policies that promote consumption — such as low interest rates — do so at the expense of savings. Less savings means less investments; an economy that does not save or invest will consume all of its resources and eventually end up bankrupt.-David Saied

Now, please re-read that statement. God wants and requires praise for "our sake?" Isn't that just a refined way of saying that God wants and requires our praise or he's going to burn us in hell forever?

That would be inaccurate. In saying "for our sake" it is understood because a closeness to God is necessary for our soul. True prayer and closeness to God brings a certain peace to the soul that cannot be replaced by anything else,