Is Religion allowed in School?

Well, not all Christians make images of Jesus and the saints. It's mostly us catholics, cause what is religion without a saint's statue crying with tears of blood?

yes --and it's beginning to feel like we've been stood up!

That thought, coupled with the possibility of Metallica album cover art, makes the mind reel...

I must hand it to you and Kevn, sometimes the both of you have some real zingers!

ahhh. My bad --I thought all of you did the dead jew on a stick sculpture.

Just checkin'

While I do not have any crosses, this is still rather a horrific thing to say Kendra.

The cross that you refer to here certainly does have a meaning to some people.

Even if it was not Jesus on that cross, I am amazed at what you say here based on some of your other posts. THE STAND III:3 would surly be violated here, not only is it intolerant of Christian dogma, but it is quite racist the way you used Jew. I realize that this forum does not abide by The Stand, but I would think, as the author of the proposition, you would hold yourself to such.

How is that racist? What do you think, I as a Jew, see when I see a cross?
Further --what do you think Jesus' reaction would be?

The image of objectified torture of someone of my racial profile disgusts me.
Not only is it a graven image and thus against your 10 commandments, it is infact a depiction of a dead jew on a stick.

You think it's horrific to say? I think it's horrific to see.

It's supposed to be horrific to see. For a Catholic, it's a reminder of how much Jesus suffered to save us from our sins. The use of that image does *not* condone torture -- in fact, I would argue that it also serves as a reminder of how unjust torture and the death penalty is.

As for it being a graven image, there's a whole body of theological work on why it is not, in fact a violation of the first commandment. I really don't feel like arguing that case, suffice it to say that from my perspective I dont believe it violates that commandment.

I'll allow that I just don't understand it. If I were a follower of Christ, I'd much rather have a symbol of his ascension around my neck.

Yes, this has been long a criticism of Catholics, that we focus too much on Christ's suffering and death, and not enough on his rise and resurrection. I think there is truth to this criticism, to some extent.

Are there any Cathlics who wear anything like a Dove around their neck? That would be lovely.

There are times when I choose to wear one of two jewish symbols.

One is a Chai --which is a Hebrew letter that symbolizes "Life"
The other is a pendant inscribed:

"Ani L'Dodi, v'Dodi Li"
(I Am My Beloved's, and My Beloved Mine)

It's from the Song of Songs of King Solomon.

Susie,

If you read the thread you'll see my faith was critized. You will also see I showed by posting the relevent part of the constitution, that it's indeed constitutional to teach religion in taxpayer funded schools. In fact, religion is taught in some high schools as history.

If you read the whole thread you'll see my logic concerning the constitution. Read the first amendment (I posted it) and you'll see as long as the government doesn't choose a religion and make it a state sponsered religion, it's perfectly constitutional.

You'll also see my suggestion was that ALL MAJOR RELIGIONS be represented. That would include Judaism. In fact, Judaism is studied by Christians anyway.

Do you think churches should be tax exempt?

Yes, the dove is a symbol for the Holy Spirit, and many choose to wear it.

Well I can get with that

Not if the good they do for the community is less valuable than the tax money.

After the hurricanes we in Florida found out why churches are not taxed on property, the county was ovewhelmed, and the churches of all faith jumped in.

The government doesn't exempt those churches as a jesture of goodwill, they know the value a church adds.

Did you know big business also gets breaks because of the good they do for a community. They provide jobs that keep the tax money coming.

Governments aren't usually generous unless they get something more valuable in return.

Even welfare wasn't a sign of generosity, it was a way to buy votes.

How do you feel about churches involving themselves in political campaigns?

Fine, if they don't care about the tax break.

Then you agree there should be a seperation of church and state. Case cloosed.

Other than the athiests that raised me, my large family was Catholic. So I hear what you are saying. When I went down my path as an ultra fundie christian, another thing I learned about how they think catholics are violent, is in the communion. In that they think Catholics literally kill christ over and over again at every mass in order to eat his body and drink his blood.

The ultra fundamental christians do not think Catholics are Christians. And that they are doomed to hell.

Funny that my Catholic relatives don't feel that about non-catholic "christians".

Yes, a good Catholic does believe non-Catholics are doomed to hell. Protestants generally believe Christ will know His own regardless of the denomination, or lack of a denomination. But it's true, Protestants believe Catholics are mislead.

Little surprise. As Catholics are not supposed to be able to interpret the bible unless they are a priest. It is amazing the stories from Nuns out there that were in monestaries for 30+ years, and while they had a bible in their room, never read it nor were they expected to.

This will be ignored by somebody I think.

~Ulrika~

PWNED!

This is simply not true. There is a lot of varied opinion on this in the Catholic community. In theology class, one priest asked us, "what happens when a person dies in the state of mortal sin?" A lot of students answered "they will go to hell." The correct answer was: "We don't know for sure."

I trust God to do the right thing.