Citadel drops pre-meal prayer

[Nambe]

CHARLESTON, South Carolina (AP)

The Citadel has dropped mealtime prayers after a federal appeals court decision this week involving the Virginia Military Institute.

On Wednesday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reconsider a ruling that declared VMI's nondenominational group prayer unconstitutional.

Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore said he would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Until this week, a prayer was said aloud at the start of all three meals at the Citadel. The prayers were delivered by cadets who volunteered to lead the blessing while members of the assembled corps bowed their heads. -

[yakmoe]

1. .

Sad----I love tradition.

[KC21304]

2. Yea, some of those religious traditions can be so much fun.

Unless YOU are the one who is not the right religion.

[tlb]

8. This case did not involve a " right religion"

as the story clearly states it was " nondenominational " prayer.

I frankly don't see how the constitutional clause protecting freedom of religion becomes in the eyes of some the freedom from religion. Considering that strong majorities in this country do profess religious faith of one sort or other, progressive staking out the role of enemy of religion is the fastest way I can think of to empower the red state types.

[Atlant]

9. The next time someone calls for a "non-denominational prayer"...

> This case did not involve a "right religion" as the story clearly
> states it was "nondenominational" prayer.

The next time someone calls for a "non-denominational prayer", just
as an experiment, try offering a prayer that doesn't involve "God".
You know, the supposed Judeo-Christian God-with-a-captial-G. So
don't say words like "Oh Heavenly Father..." or even "Oh God up in
Heaven..."

I dunno; offer a prayer that the Universe guides us on the path to
peace, making military academies unnecesary.

Offer a prayer that the Earth finds a way to feed all of its human
inhabitants as well as it's feeding the people seated around the
table.

Offer a prayer that asks that everyone around the table increase in
wisdom to the point that we conquer disease, the hand-maiden of war.

See how well "truly non-denominational prayer" goes over.

Atlant

[BansheeBarbie]

11. Okay, Here's A TRULY Non-Demoninational Prayer

Here are several meditations, reflections or insights from Buddhism which don't mention "God" or "god".

By the way, It's a sad day when Humanity can no longer express Gratitude, Oneness of Purpose and Intention to Strive for a Greater Good in a communal setting... unless it's completely private with no connection to one's town, state or country.


This meal is the labour of countless beings. Let us accept this offering with gratitude.

This meal is taken to strengthen our exertions, for greed and opinion are strong. Let us
deserve this offering.

This meal is taken to help us become clear and generous. Let us pay attention.

This meal is taken to nourish and sustain our practice. Let us be moderate.

This meal is taken to help all beings attain Buddha way. Let us practice
wholeheartedly.

This meal is finished. Our strength is restored for us to teach the Dhamma.


With the exception of the last reflection... they are non sectarian.

[Atlant]

12. Most of those are good. Good luck getting them prayed.

Most of those are good. Good luck getting them prayed at the
Citidel or VMI, or any of those other places that believe in
the correctness of "non-denomenational" prayer.


> With the exception of the last reflection... they are non sectarian.

Well, the last two. I'd imagine many folks would suggest
that a prayer invoking the Buddha way would rub a lot of
people as sectarian, too.

Atlant

[BansheeBarbie]

13. Hmmmm, Let's Rephrase That Then

How about instead of "Buddha Way" we say "Liberation"...

This meal is taken to help all beings attain Liberation.
Let us practice wholeheartedly.

You're right though, people wouldn't go for it.

[dArKeR]

3. Religion and killing go hand in hand. CNN just had a report of a soldier

saying, 'God is my shepherd' and he turned his weapon to show the cameraperson the words engraved on his weapon.

The report said, the soldiers, at night, ride up and down the streets enticing the Iraqi's to fire RPGs at them so the soldiers can see their positions then go kill them.
(I don't believe this for one second. And I'm sure the parents at home love this Bush strategy if their is an micron of truth in it.)

The Lord Is My Is Killing Shepherd

[eagler]

4. ...nor prohibit the free exercise thereof.

nt

[sandnsea]

5. If you want to attend a military college...

and all of them require you to recite Christian prayers... then what?

[philosophie_en_rose]

6. That's not free exercise.

That's enforced participation in a public prayer.

[arwalden]

7. Thank You!!

... I'm always irritated by the "argument" that the cadets are always free to remain silent. Yeah, right. Like their Christian buddies (and officers) aren't going to take note of whose lips don't move.

Much like Ashcroft's "morning prayer meetings"... those who don't participate are noted and treated accordingly.

-- Allen

[realFedUp]

10. amen.

.

[slappypan]

14. The Citadel

They have many wealthy alumni, they could have become a private college, then they could have compulsory prayer and perhaps would not have had to admit women, but they loved those state tax dollars a whole lot more than they loved their traditions.