Secondhand Religion

Two days ago Pennsylvania legislation was proposed which would ban smoking in all buildings, including those that are currently exempt.  I read the news and was happily suppressed.  I have to inform you but I am a nonsmoker and have had to avoid some of my old haunts because they were exempt from the laws.  Entering these buildings meant I would be subject to the effects of second hand smoke and my clothes would reek of the foul smell of cigarettes.  This proposed ban made me think that maybe we should look at other forms of pollution.

Also, two days ago, a student at Pickens County School District ripped up his pre-approved speech and recited the Lord’s Prayer.  I read this news online and was shocked to see that in the comments section some atheists and agnostics actually said they liked the fact that the student stood up for his beliefs.  I am hoping that these were faked by christian's trying to make it look like this rogue student was doing a good thing.

The truth is that it was just another case of secondhand religion rearing its ugly head.  This students blatant disregard for people who are not christian is appalling but isn't far from what all non christians have endured at many secular events around this country.  School board meetings and even our congress starts each and every session with a prayer.  When challenged, christian leaders cite freedom of speech.

This freedom allows people to pray anywhere they want.  But a moment of deliberately lead prayer forces all in attendance to have to watch this ritualistic act.  Sitting through it quietly further encourages this behavior.  Speaking out makes the complainant look like some kind of villain in the eyes of the majority, thus making it infinitely harder to be the squeaky wheel.

I don't mind if people pray quietly at a restaurant prior to their meal a practice most christians don't do. A student may likewise pray before a test.  But to make us all unwilling participants in some public forum is wrong.  

I do not applaud this students act.  I believe the student should be punished for dishonoring those in attendance who do not share his religious views.  People whos freedom of attending a secular ceremony was purposefully denied.  

This is what I call secondhand religion.  It is not a singular act of supplication to a god but is an act of endorsing a singular religion to a mass of people.  In many cases a captive audience.  I have been in this uncomfortable position before many times and have promised myself not to be again.

I applaud the Freedom form Religion Foundation for standing up to the School District and many other injustices they have pursued.