Soviet Union survivor: President spits in face of every U.S. citizen

Let me rephrase then, why does a silent prayer require everyone present to recognize it? They want to publicly "require" everybody to be quiet so that the religious among them can pray. The objection is not about a persons private prayer, but to the public recognition of it that all must be conducted by all.

You can't possibly be this naive. The moment of silence replaced the public praying. It could not be more obvious what it is for. You say the students can use that moment for whatever they want and that is really not true. They can use it for whatever they want as long as they remain still, quiet, and observe someone else's religious moment.

Personally, it just don't bother me that much, I'm not an atheist. I'm talking about constitutionality here.

Well, the prayer it replaced was removed. We're all standing for the anthem and alma mater anyway and the moment is short, so its no big deal to give it to those who can't pray amidst chaos. But the students bray like jackasses all through it and it's probably just a matter of time before they start the "a**hole, a**hole" chant and it will go the way of "Tiger Rag"

 

Why does he need a specially recognized time to pray? And why must everyone else stop and recognize it? God did not set this time and will listen to prayers at any time, does he not?

No one is wishing to prevent a religious kid from silent prayer. He can pray anytime that he wants to. It's just not necessary for the world to stop for it. For some "religious" people it seems to be more important to be seen to be praying than to actually speak to God.

 

This sentiment has been repeated over and over in this thread and by more than just Red, so I make this reply in general and throw the question open to anyone who wants to field it:

It's a little issue called "respect." The Left demands that I respect gay people's "right" to subvert the sanctity of marriage. It demands that I respect some Commie's right to "free speech" when he burns a flag. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Why can't these same people, who claim to be the tolerant and inclusive segment of our society, "respect" a religious person's request for a moment of silence? You don't have to pray along, just show the same respect and tolerance to others that you demand others give you.

 

That's not how it works or how they want it. ALL the children are REQUIRED to observe the silence. There would be no point in reserving this moment if the praying students observed a moment of silence and the other kids could just keep on doing what they are doing. No one is stopping anyone from having a silent prayer anytime they want to. I'm confident it happens all the time. There is no need whatsoever to make non-praying students observe someone else religious practices.

Pay attention--that's not what I said. You brought up the football game. What I said was that I personally am not bothered by the silent moment. My argument is about constitutionality.