what "much broader spectrum of the population, both in numbers and diversity" are you talking about?
Are there not many more people, children and parents combined, involved in attending schools than there are in the Congress, or Special Forces, or whatever?
And doesn't that population of children and parents include a segment of the population unlikely to be represented in the military in the absence of conscription?
'Twas a time when the population was much more dominated by white christians than it is now, particularly when it came to positions of power, and when it was generally accepted that treating jews and blacks and whatever as something less than fully human. 'Tain't that way any more -- there are now lots more flavors of us who are considered full-fledged members of the community and many more non-white, non-christians (not to mention non-males) in positions of power. When everyone in the room was a christian, no one was likely to object to a bit of prayer, even is not all were real believers. Mix in a few moslems, jews, buddhists, etc., etc., not to mention a few ardent atheists, and the same prayer becomes offensive. |
