Written by a 15 year old boy.

[Mangee]

Since the Pledge of Alegiance  and the Lord's Prayer are not allowed in schools anymore because the word 'God' is mentioned, a kid in Arizona wrote the attached.

                    NEW SCHOOL PRAYER

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of him very odd

If scripture now the school recites
It violates The Bill Of Rights
And any time my hide I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now

Our hair can be orange, purple or green
Thats no offense; it's a freedom scene
The law i specific the law is precise
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice

For praying in a public hall
May offend someone with no faith at all
In silence alone we must meditate
God's name is prohibited by the state

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks
They've outlawed guns but First the Bible
To quote the Good Book makes me liable

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen
And the 'unwed daddy' our Senior King
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong
We're taught that such 'judgements' do not belong

We can get our condoms and birth controls
Study withchcraft, vampires and totem poles
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed
No word of God must reach this crowd

It's scary here I must confess
When chaos reigns the schools a mess
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot;my soul please to take!
Amen
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[Mangee]

I live across from a very large apartment complex that has many seniors. On any night of any week you can see the Christmas lights blazing. There is nothing wrong with having the lights and to light them as you wish. It is the perogative of the person. Yet, it seems to annoy some people who point and shake their heads. If you enjoy  it, why not? Many businesses have graffiti deliberately painted on their buildings and no one takes offense unless it is a painting of a religious nature. When that happens all hell breaks loose. It seems that no matter what we do, someone will take offense. We have a church here with a large painted face depicting Jesus Christ and it sparked a controversy that is still simmering. As a person of the Jewish faith I do not find it offensive,. As a matter of fact it is a very fine painting an I would applaud it regardless of what the painting depicted. The artist did a commendable job of illustration and it should be looked at as a work of art nothing more but, seeing as it is a religious painting, the pros and cons are hard at work commending or condemning it. In many cases ,when someone starts a movement against something or other, the underlying reason is to make money off of the ignorant. A perfect example is the electronic preachers, all of whom received word from the powers above telling them that they were chosen to lead. Women in wheel chairs who's legs were mere sticks from years of non use suddenly get up run and dance and shout high praises to the evangelist. People with tumors (supposedly) are instantly cured etc. etc. etc. All this for the money that the ignorant willingly give in the hope that they too will be cured. So, what do you think? Is it really real or fake, hmnnn?

[MJIthewriter]

They do it here in the Midwest...although I haven't observed anyone recently keep their lights on in the summer.  I used to eat at a restaurant that always had x-mas lights on...they did that for quite a few years and the lights got dusty. With the outdoor lights and decorations I think part of it is the weather...  Who wants to freeze their *** off in potentially 0to -20 degrees putting up the lights around December and then taking them down in January?  I know I wouldn't...  I'd probably put them up some time in September when the weather is nice and out of laziness leave them up...

Savas, let us know how that works out and how many children you frighten in the process.

[cattalina]

I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed reading the debate that went on here.  I have no intention of stating my opinion, as I did read every word of the previous posts and would be afraid to debate with the intelligence I've seen!!    And other than the enjoyment factor, I wanted to give kudos on quickly diffusing a possibly messy situation... Who said drug addicts shouldn't be in politics?!?!? :)

[Savas]

Heh heh... I suppose it isn't Christmas's fault. It's the bad economy. businesses are so desperate to generate revenue that they'd have Christmas sales all year round if they thought they could get away with it.

Hey, I never said the puritans where the nicest people in the world, just that they were some of the first to come here and start America. I've got some Celtic ancestors I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley after midnight, but I'm still proud of a great deal of what they did. :)

How about I go as "Santa Claws" on holloween? I'll dress up as Freddy Kruger in a Santa costume. :)

[mrwjd]

Here in the Southwest, many people do leave their lights up all year, and light them whenever they feel like it.  [e.g., you're having a party in July, "You can't miss it.  My house will be the one with the Xmas lights."]  Mexican restaurants particularly are prone to do that--Christmas every time you go there.  It seemed odd at first, but now I kind of like it.

Your Halloween idea is cute.  Maybe this year we'll dress one of the dogs in the Santa Claus doggie outfit.  My grandson is due on Halloween, and if he is born then (not that anyone is actually born on the due date), he is in for a difficult life!  (Before we knew the sex, I suggested if it were a girl, Tabitha was a good Halloween name.  My son and dil just looked at me, and not with filial respect.)

[MJIthewriter]

I've seen decorations up as late as July or longer. What would you say about that?  Some people leave their lights on their house (not lit up) all year long.

Yeah I'm straying from the topic I'm sure. I agree about the Christmas being over commercialized... Some point I thought it'd be an awesome idea for someone to dress up for Halloween as Santaclaus and give out Christmas candy.