Thief - On Religion at your Graduation

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In discussion with a close friend of mine the other day, I had the opportunity to once again visit the ever-present and ever maddening link between church and state, specifically prayer in school. But I cant talk about it. I cant tell you who it was, nor what was done, and I cant tell you where it occurred. I cant stand next to my friend, and stare into that reality with crossed arms and a most necessary criticism without it affecting their life in a negative way. I have to sit here, with my hands and my mouth bound because the majority Christian in this country would slice him cleanly from the pursuit of making the world a better place if I spoke. That, is on your hands, Christians. I am not able to speak to the evidence and context of this issue because of your cowardice. Because of your unfathomable laziness. It is on your hands, Christians, that I cannot simply utter a principle in rebuttal to ideologies that puncture my basic moral code, because you've made it impossible for me to do so. You've conjured enough of a voice to affect the lives of people who would stand and shout, just as loudly, and with as much conviction in opposition to your incendiary and dehumanizing proslytization, that it has made opposition to your dogma and intrusion into the lives of the people with whom you disagree, an offense. Something punishable. Shame on you. An everlasting shame.

There are hundreds of news stories this year that are reporting a rampant disregard for the regulations set forth in school charters, as well as laws on the state and federal level. There are new lawsuits that are fighting the battle of keeping religion and prayer out of this country's public school system. There are also courageous individuals who break from that larger bit of ice, only to melt into the sea of conjecture, and superstition. Who are smiling as they depart, and weeping joy into the nothing.
You hate me because I'm an agnostic atheist. I know. You need to hate me. Your rhetoric isn't going to save you amongst the people who really KNOW how to Do rhetoric. You'll try to discredit me. You'll try to call me misguided, or weak, or somehow unable to see the light for some psychological cause, I've heard it all. But the truth is, you're scared. Under it all, you are scared. Too frightened by the natural world to navigate its challenges and emptiness on your own, too afraid to be atomized, too scared to end. So you open your arms to something that'll make it all better, something that will give you your thoughts, and convict you of the ones that are misaligned with the principles of whichever dogma you cling to. I don't mind that you do that. I really don't. My desire is for happiness, tolerance, awareness, self respect. I want you to be happy.
What I cannot bear, and will not accept is that your leaders, would get up at a public high school graduation ceremony, and be UNABLE to adhere to the respect of the students who were without god, or those of a non-christian faith. You steal, even the christian's accomplishments, and offer them as a sacrifice for your god. Saying "It is only through gods blessings that we have reached this milestone." You steal the students struggles, their trials, their inner challenges and ancillary hardships, and at the height of this robbery, you actually look them in the eyes, and banish their individuality. You exile their personal daemon, the genius of their particular art, and say "This is not yours. This belongs to God."
Do not be gentle with those who would seek to destroy your individuality. Do not be violent. You have a voice. Use it.
This is an excerpt from an article I found online printed in the St. Petersburg Times. It reads;
Washington -- The supreme court held yesterday that the reading of an official prayer in new York public schools violated the constitution. The prayer was drafted by the New York Board of Regents and was recommended for recital by teachers and children in each classroom at the start of every school day. It is non-denominational, and 32 words long. By a vote of 6 to 1 the court held the reading of the prayer "An establishment of religion." Which is forbidden in the first amendment of the constitution.
Anyone wanna venture a guess when this was written? If you said june 26th 1962, you'd be correct.
In closing, to those of you who have been bullied, or tricked into thinking that the glory of your accomplishment should be given to God, I want to say this;
You overcame, you rose to the challenge, you made the decision to fight against terrible odds. You have done this.
Congratulations.

Now go change the world.

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[xSilverPhinxx]

People have free will but god gets the credit.

On the flip side of the coin, Satan gets the blame because the people he possessed suddenly and conveniently have no free will.

[MrAudiovideodisco]

@xd1rtx My little sister attends a CoE ( Church of England ) primary school, and I was utterly appalled to discover that they held a quiz about jesus, god, and the bible, and rewarded the children for answering "correctly" with chocolate...Chocolate! And subtracted points for answering in a manner that didn't quite align with their views.

My mother refused to complain, fearful that it would cause a "scene" so I did so myself, you can't let the schools walk over you when family is concerned...

[atheistrocker100]

@MrAudiovideodisco You fucking idiot. I cant stand people like you, you have to make life as difficult as possible for other people don't you.Complaining about teaching the stories of Jesus in a *CHURCH OF ENGLAND* school. Its thanks to the CoE that there are so many schools in England. you should have taken her to a different school if you were so "appalled" Geez. I really do hate you atheists.

[JesusFknChrist666]

One of the Greatest speeches of our time. Have a Great Day.

[geezahh]

Excellence

[YourFavoriteKilljoy]

Beautiful. Your video was amazing. This is the first video I've watched of you. I'm now subscribed. Good work. And thank you <3

[mikejpete]

@Hammangene I don't know why this was voted down. "this debate between theists and atheists is just another way to exercise pride, what a waste.." It is at times. Christopher Hitchens for example made great contributions to the intellectual community.This is very commendable. On the other hand, his rebuke of Mother Teresa as thriving on suffering while he himself does not pursue secular means to lift up the poor and disenfranchised makes me see him as slightly petty and personally vindictive.

[mikejpete]

as a side note...I'm from New York...I know the South is insane for more reasons than religion, but that's been a primary tool of ignorant minds in that region.

[mikejpete]

If people want to pray in school and aren't obnoxious about it that's fine. I have no either/or mentality about thisfight. If you don't believe in God, then what these people said shouldn't matter. However,if you indoctrinate people into having to thank God at let's say every graduation or before every lesson then that's just reprehensible. I had the experience of having to hide my bible when I was in school, but it didn't matter to me. It was for me, not an instrument to proselytize with.

[TheCoxy88]

Thanks for that it was inspiring. A ray of light in a dark room.