Well, just speaking for myself, I was one of the atheist children who found saluting the flag on a daily basis very awkward. Children don't really usually want to take a stand and be singled out, or feel different, but it really causes a strain when there is just a presumption that "under God" is the normal way of looking at things.
I also think that if American children were educated about all the holidays that different groups celebrate, and taught respect for these different belief systems, we would all learn something (and in the future there would be fewer fights about religion).
Christmas is actually an almost entirely pagan holiday, anyway. The early Christians glommed onto it hoping to get more followers. I could go on about all the things like trees, candles, lights, feasting, the exchange of gifts, etc. that are of pagan origin, but you probably already know that. Jesus was not born during the winter.
All those other religions sound like only tiny fractions of our population, and they are at the moment, but in a culture that prides itself on welcoming immigrants, they are still significant, and growing. And if each child from all of those little fractions feels strange and awkward at school, I can feel the hurt of all of them because I've been there, and really want to prevent that in any way I can.
You won't get banned from Feelies just by complaining, incidentally. Sorry! ;-) |
