soapboxdiner

Can I go home now? Oh wait... maybe not.

Do you ever feel like the effort just. isn't. worth. it?

Welcome to my day.

The kid came home in tears from the sitter - they "pick on him and why should he have to deal with it?"

Work was the same tedious Sisyphusian battle for respect with Busy Body Coworker. It never changes, only now since the numerous blow outs we just smile slyly at each other and offer up whatever sacrificial lamb bone will sugar coat the dripping acid sarcasm best.

Today it was, "Oh look! The USPS can release a Muslim stamp, but we can't say prayers in school. hrmph. SBD, doesn't the goverment know that those - oh what are they called - those agnostics are a religion, too? Denying religion is a religion all its own."

"Well, BBCW, I don't know what they think. I suppose we should just be thankful we aren't France," I say as I attempt to weasel out of yet another futile discussion over why this country is greatest when it leaves personal liberties by way of personal beliefs up to individuals to practice outside structured governmental institutions. But yet again, my sidestepping only fuels her fire.

But you CAN'T leave Christian morality out of it because the Ten Commandments are what we base our whole legal system on!

Well, though - the Ten Commandments are actually a Jewish tradition. Do we celebrate Hanukkah throughout our government facilities and institutions by decking the halls with menorah? Take the day off to play with our respective Dreidels? When was the last time you heard of schools having bar/bat mitzvah parties instead of birthday parties? My point here is, just exactly whose religion do you propose to respect, and what portion of the American population do you propose The United States should completely disregard religiously? Are those citizens' rights to liberty and choice in relgious, moral and ethical codes less valuable than - say - a Protestant Christain's? Should they be forced into Christian supplication any more than that same Christian should be forced to practice Ramadan or celebrate Imbolc?

But.. butbut - Separation of Church and state was created to protect the church - not the other way around!

And again, whose church do you propose to protect?

Silence.

I don't know there, BBCW. Funny how strongly people's differing beliefs can be, isn't it?

Some days, I tell you. Some days.

6:59 pm - 10.20.04
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