Whoever wrote this makes some valid points, and it deserves an A. The writer is stating how he/she believes, a right granted in our Constitution.
God is a huge part of my world, and that of my family. But, as a licensed minister and children's pastor for 20+ years, I have a hard time understanding why anyone would seek to force someone to pray or believe something they don't (it certainly is not taught in scripture, and didn't work out too well during the crusades). The public school system should not be a battle ground for the religious or the atheists. These are individual beliefs that should be respected and not attacked. Our kids need to learn how to do math, English, science and the like, not sit in a room with a teacher who believes in lord only knows what, spouting off about their opinions and pushing agendas that have nothing to do with academic education. Family values should be taught at home, not in the public school system.
That said, respect is a two-way street. Those who don't believe should be just as respectful of other's rights to believe. I have many friends, from many places and belief systems. We don't all believe the same things, and we don't let that get in the way of our friendship. There are three words that should help both the believer and the non-believer: HUMILITY, KINDNESS and RESPECT. Believer or not, take them for a test drive before you speak.
Landshark