Don’t force kids to pray in school
Parents, let Hamilton county schools be a secure and welcoming place for all children.
Is it that Christian parents don’t understand the concept of religious freedom or is it hypocrisy that they insist on rights for themselves, but not others. No one can stop your child from praying in school, but don’t force prayer on my child.
As a native Chattanoogan and one-time public school student, I know too well the hurt that comes from having someone else’s religion imposed on a vulnerable young mind. Little changed for my child, who was subjected to ostracism and derision for opting out of the “optional,” public school, Bible class.
It’s not surprising an appeal was made to the Freedom From Religion Foundation for intervention rather than risk derision and ostracism or, possibly, worse. Nor is it surprising that (schools Superintendent Jim) Scales (had) ignored unlawful activities rather than suffer the wrath of Christian complaints and threats. However, I would rather see a superintendent who upholds the law without prodding.
The only way for public schools to embrace the children of all religions is to be absolutely neutral. If parents want religion in school activities, there are many private religious schools here for them.
PAMELA PHILLIPS
Hixson
Don’t shave during November
“No Shave November” is a holiday celebrated across the world.
As its title describes, males everywhere participate in the jubilation by growing their facial hair for the entire month of November.
Upon first glance, this seems to be an occasion that only men can participate in. However, this is not the case. “No shave November” is a celebration in which the entire family is able to participate. Young lads are able to admire grown men with their full, silky beards. Young girls are able to see the fullness of the facial hair that a potential suitor must attain in order to be an eligible husband. Grown women have two choices. They may either attempt to grow a valiant beard themselves, or simply admire the men, and intrepid women, who have beards of their own.
Lastly, grown men may celebrate by discarding, misplacing or otherwise neglecting their razor for the entire month of November. So join in the celebration with the ones you love. It will surely be a season you will never forget.
CALEB ARCHER
People turn away from Lord
It’s a sad day in this world anymore when people turn away from the Lord our God, and listen to someone like the Religion Foundation.
Who are these people who think we have to listen to them?
The Lord made every one of us. He wanted the people to have a good life. But the people have turned away from him. They are money hungry, sex fiends, drug addicted robbers and killers. They think they can do anything they please.
They need to heed the flooding, tornadoes and earthquakes around the world.
They better be getting down on their knees and listen to the message of the Lord instead of telling the schools they can’t pray. Satan is having a ball with these people.
IRENE ROSE
Hixson
Help find missing autism puzzle piece
Everyone has seen some sort of awareness ribbon on vehicles or pinned on shirts. Pink is for breast cancer and yellow for soldiers at war, but one stands out as a multicolored puzzle with a single missing piece. Although many people have heard of autism, no one really has an idea of what it actually is.
When doctors begin diagnosing children with the disorder, parents rarely know where to begin. Special diets and prescription drugs are administered to the children daily to combat the symptoms of overactivity and shyness. The effects of these drugs on children, however, are less than favorable. There have been several reports of lack of appetite, weight loss, paranoia and dependency of the drug; by prescribing these addictive drugs to children as young as 3 years old, children are losing their personalities and are being compared to zombies.
Today, one in 150 children is being diagnosed with autism. Creating a system to correctly diagnose this puzzling disorder seems nearly impossible, but with the support of an autism-friendly community these children will find their missing piece.
SARAH GEARHART
Red Bank
Give Obama chance to fix GOP mess
Our president was a lawyer!
Every time I read a bad editorial or commentary in this paper, I realize how hateful that person is. Hatefulness toward President Obama.
President Obama did not cause the problems of today. They were started by George Bush and his Republican cohorts.
In Bush’s last four years of service, he and the Republicans ran this country and (the Republicans in Tennessee ran) this state in the poor house.
President Obama inherited job loss, high deficits, bankrupting and everything else the Republicans caused to go wrong. Now, they refuse to work with President Obama to make matters better. Why? Because he is a Democrat.
The Republicans are rich men and women getting tax breaks on their money while the poor pay taxes.
President Obama should be given a chance. He was elected by the people of this country, and he cannot do he job in the short time he has been in office. It took Republicans eight years for this misery.
We need to vote all politicians out and start with middle-class men and women who know what the rest of us are going through. Two terms should be the limit in state and country politics.
KATHERINE JOHNSTON
Evensville, Tenn.
Prayer foes deter ‘free exercise’
When this public prayer question resurfaced, I got out the First Amendment to the Constitution, which reads as follows:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the right of the people to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Is the government (Wisconsin group and/or schools Superintendent Jim Scales) abridging the freedom of speech and prohibiting the free exercise of, in this case? Certainly so! Are the Constitution and the First Amendment still relevant or are we just being deprived of yet another of our freedoms?
BETTY COOPER
Signal Mountain
Dalton players can live anywhere
To address a forum writer’s concern about the number of Dalton High School football players who actually live in Dalton: My response is, why does that concern you? All student athletes in Whitfield County (and Dalton is in Whitfield County) must be approved for eligibility by the Georgia High School Association in Atlanta.
A student can live virtually anywhere in the state and attend the school of his/her choice. However, in most situations, an out-of-district tuition will apply.
Nevertheless, all state school system administrators have strict (mandated) policies related to participation in sports and other extracurricular competitive programs.
If your favorite high school team loses to Dalton, and you’re seeking someone or something to blame, branch out into some other possible conspiracy theory!
J.T. COX
Dalton, Ga.