A California school board determines the Declaration of Independence promotes Judeo-Christian values and orders it removed from a school wall.
However, this same school board allows:
untouched displays, including but not limited to a 35 to 40 foot string of Tibetan prayer flags with images of Buddha, a poster with the lyrics from John Lennon’s anti-religion song, “Imagine,” which begins, “Imagine there’s no Heaven,” a poster with Hindu leader, Mahatma Gandhi’s “7 Social Sins,” a poster of Muslim leader, Malcxolm X, and a poster of Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama, who claims he is a god, to remain in or about school(s) in your district.
I suppose diversity is allowed as long as it's not based on Judeo-Christian principles. We've all seen the bumper sticker stating: COEXIST. That sounds great but it doesn't seem to be working out so well for those who call themselves Christians. Your teachings aren't to be seen or heard if they are based on Judeo-Christian beliefs. You are taboo.
(h/t MP)
It is truly obscene that the Declaration of Independence was deemed offensive and removed from this school.
ReplyDeletehowever, I would like to clear up a misrepresentation that you've mde regarding the Dalai Lama. As a student of buddhism for 27 years and of Tibetan Buddhism in particular, for over 10 years, I would find it highly irregular for someone such as the Dalai Lama or any other high lama to regard himself as a "god." In Buddhism, there is no god that is worshipped, so it makes no sense that he would state this. Perhaps, it is possible that he or others might make the claim that he is enlightened, which would in effect, make him a Buddha, which is sanskrit for "awakened one." This still doesn't make him a god, rather an ordinary human being who, through great diligence, practice and study, has realized the nature of his mind.
One could go so far to state that Buddhism isn't even a religion, because etymologically speaking, religion stems from the greek re+ligne, which means to reunite, ostensibly, with god or a state from which one has fallen. since Buddhists don't worship gods, or even Buddhas, nor do they seek to return to a stat from which they believe they have fallen. Instead, Buddhists study and practice to remove ignorance and gain wisdom about the nature of mind, in an empirical manner, so it really doesn't fall under the rubric of religion. The Dalai lama and many other buddhist figures instead refer to Buddhism as the "Science of Mind" and have stated "when science proves Buddhism wrong, Buddhism will have to change." Of course, for 501.3.C purposes, Buddhist organizations are happy to be called a "religion."
Cheers!
Christians are in the majority here, and the majority does not get repressed. For every school that does something like this (and journalists tend to get these things wrong), there are tens of thousands that don't.
ReplyDeleteMy child has been bullied by children in 3 different non-religious schools, because she will not discuss faith with the Christian students. When adults get mad at things like this, and discuss it, it rubs off on their children, and their children get mad too, but who are they going to target? Certainly not some wall in California.
Though Christinebmight be the 'technical' majority in America, you are completely inaccurate in your claim that Christians aren't being persecuted in America (& through out the ENTIRE WORLD). Persecution against Christians is at an all time high, & steadily increasing. And, yes.... Christians are being silenced, bullied, and forced to go against their moral beliefs, right here in America... EVEN being targeted for attacks & killed! Waco, TX school shooting, is one such case- which recvd little to no national coverage over- w/in schools.
DeleteJust because a group might be in the majority, does not mean they won't be persecuted. History shows this, as does current times. :(
Where is it declared "offensive"?
ReplyDeleteDesperate Dave:
ReplyDeleteMaybe this will help explain why this is offensive.
http://www.californiafamilycouncil.org/AVictoryforFreeSpeechandReligiousFreedom
"January 2007, Poway School District officials ordered Mr. Johnson to remove the banners because they “over-emphasized” God and “might make a Muslim student uncomfortable.”
Would that be a satisfactory answer to your question?
stlgretchen, we meet again, I am appalled that one of the Documents that helped found this nation is called offensive.. But, there's that whole diversity argument again, they want diversity, as long as it's doesn't offend someone.. I would like these same people to say, they are taking down a Picture of Mohhamed, because it might offend Christian Children.. But no, under their Liberal Logic, that would be discrimination of the muslim Political System..
ReplyDelete