I was a sophomore in high school when the idea of writing a research paper was presented to me. Mrs. Collins, my English teacher, gave us a list of social topics and then a list of possible sources of information (library, books, newspaper, interviews, etc.). I chose to write my paper on the absence of God in school and its effect on modern society.
I first began by researching the actual landmark decision of the Supreme Court that removed prayer from school, Murray v. Curlett. The case was brought by Madelyn Murray O’Hair on behalf of her son whom she said was made to feel threatened in his school on account of his decision to abstain from prayer or scripture reading.
The Supreme Court determined in a ruling of 8-1 that prayer had no place in public schools and began a domino effect of other rulings regarding nativity scenes at Christmas time, ten commandment displays, and various other forms of reverence to God which were once common in America.
The idea of doing an interview for this paper intrigued me. Who should I interview? What professional in the field of Church-v-State could offer me a good deal of insight into the reasoning of such a decision? I happened to live in the very city where O’Hair had settled with her group, American Atheists. In fact, my family passed her offices every Sunday on our way to church. So I got out the yellow pages, looked her up, and gave her office a call.
I found my 14 year old self locked in a thirty minute conversation with Jon Murray, O’Hair’s son and, at the time, leader of American Atheists.
I asked him why I wasn’t allowed to pray at school and he told me I should celebrate my freedom not to pray instead of the slavery of being forced to pray. Further discussion showed that he felt as though I should not be allowed to pray with other students, lest some other student over hear and feel threatened by our combined efforts.
He went on to ask me just how much I knew about the Christians who were fighting his movement’s cause. He started to tell me about Christians who were protesting in front of abortion clinics and that they were actually throwing their live children in front of clinic doctor’s cars to prevent abortions.
“Really?” I asked him, “You are telling me that people who believe that life is sacred are killing their own children in order to prevent the death of unborn children?”
“Yes.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. It seems to me as though such a thing would violate the very purpose of the protest. Why haven’t I heard of this in the news?”
“Amy, you know that the news is skewed and media outlets are eating out of the hands of right wing religious nuts, don’t you? Isn’t that obvious?”
I was still trying to wrap my mind around his statement.
“I’m sorry, Mr.Murray, but I just can’t understand why it is that people who call themselves ‘pro-life’ would actually kill their own children for the cause.”
“There is very little about people who believe in God that makes sense, Amy.”
Our conversation continued from there, but I would be lying if I told you I could recall a word of it. My mind was whirling with the knowledge that I had in my hand a telephone on which the son of the woman who almost single-handedly removed God from daily American life was talking.
His evidence against God and God’s people was so weak and easy to poke holes in. How was it possible that such a small minded minority of people had taken hostage the values of a majority? And in a democracy, no less?!
In 1995, a year after that phone call, Madelyn, Jon, and her grand daughter Robin were reported missing. Their bodies were later found in a stretch of land some miles away. (I had nothing to do with, for the record. J )
Eric and I watched an editorial piece last night about Obama. It was the brief piece that set my memory to that phone call and my question about how such a thing could happen. I strongly encourage you to watch the video I have linked to. I even encourage you to read a good number of the debates happening in the comment section of the video.
O’Hair took away the voice of the majority because she wasn’t taken seriously by those she slandered. This video shows clips of Obama stating that the average white American is racist. It does a good deal of research into the ideals of the church and pastor Obama readily defended up until very recently.
I am not prepared to offer a good alternative for the seat of presidency. I am not in a place where I am able to debate political stands. I just know that last night I had a question answered. When bad ideas are given no challenge, good people lose their voice.
-end political soapbox-
June 11th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Amy, this post gives much food for thought and contemplation.
“I asked him why I wasn’t allowed to pray at school and he told me I should celebrate my freedom not to pray instead of the slavery of being forced to pray.”
To have true freedom, it would seem that one could be allowed to pray or that one could be allowed to not play. That would be more respectful and should lessen any perceived threats of nonconformity.
“How was it possible that such a small minded minority of people had taken hostage the values of a majority? And in a democracy, no less?!”
I watched the video and came away with a similar feeling to what you describe regarding the athetist agenda. However, I felt that the ‘Obama=muslim tyrany’ agenda to be offensive and likely a small-minded minority of opinions.
I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church (after really getting my religious base in a Nazarene church – very fundamentalist). I am a faith-based Christian who is embarrassed and appalled at the far-right wing agendas which have been forced into legislation at the sacrifice of protecting the health of our youth and of women abroad.
Ok, before I get too deep into a philosophical rant, I better stop now. But I thank you for asking us to challenge our beliefs and to question the effects of accommodating small minorities of citizens.
June 11th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Thank you, Lisa. I understand that this video carries with it a view that may seem extreme. Though I wonder just how much we will forgive Obama in our efforts to run away from Bush?
There is much that can be debated about statements made about Obama. But what about the words he has spoken himself? He contends that the $65,000 given to each New Orleans resident was not enough and evidence of racist America. He says that there are 57 states in the union, not counting Alaska and Hawaii.
Like I said in the post, I am not prepared to debate politics. But, for the sake of this argument, let’s say that Bush is the devil and we need to run away from him. I think we would be foolish to run to the arms a man with so many question marks surrounding him. Out of the pan and into the fire, as some might say.
I really do appreciate you commenting on this one. I know politics and religion can get sensitive. It’s why I so rarely cover both.
June 11th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Whoa. What an interview. Am I right in saying you’re but 27 years old?
Anyway, what an interview.
June 11th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Yes. I am 27. In my head. But my Mama swears up and down that I am 30.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Amy, I absolutely agree with you on the idea of running away from anything which could be perceived as being simpatico with Bush. That makes it so very difficult to critically examine both Obama and McCain on their merits and not their associations.
For some it is a bonus for McCain to be aligned with Bush. For others it just creates an urge to look away and to look elsewhere, perhaps not giving due diligence to what McCain may certainly be able to bring to our country.
It’s truly unfortunate that we are encouraged to be reactionary in opinion rather than stand firm in our hopes and beliefs. Too much in politics is compromised and diluted to such an extent that it benefits and protects very few. That in itself makes me sad and angry.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
If you promise to be really nice about it, I will let you have a seat in the cabinet when I am president of my own island. It could so happen.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I’m so there. Count me in.
June 11th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Done.
June 12th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Wow girl, you got spunk. Calling up O’Hair at the age of 14?!?!?! Now I have an even bigger place in my heart for you…
This cracks me up…
‘Amy, you know that the news is skewed and media outlets are eating out of the hands of right wing religious nuts, don’t you? Isn’t that obvious?’
Isn’t it such the opposite?
On the topic of prayer in school, I think as christians we react with emotion to someone pulling our right to prayer. But if we really stop and think about it do we want the right to pubicly pray in schools? If we have the right then every one should have the right, and I don’t really want the goddess of fertility or some other pagan god being prayed to in front of our children.
June 12th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I don’t know how to react to this, except for one thing that we were talking about yesterday. There is no time. We need to raise up warriors in our home. Spiritual warriors. Children that know the word of God and know Him.
**Off to go read some Bible stories to my kids…
June 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Sarah that is the most brilliant assertion I have heard yet on the political mess that is America today. It isn’t up to an institution any more, it is up to us.
BTW I read the entire article on Mad OHair. That is some serious weirdness and odd turning of events. I guess the wages of sin really is death…
I like what one of the investigators said: “No one deserves this, no one.” What a sad, sad story.
June 13th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Keep preachin’, girl!