Jonathan H. B. Lobl

There were some cultish things in the schools where I was a teacher. In the morning, there was the Pledge of Allegiance. To my shame, I sometimes conducted these activities. It was required of me. October through December, a lot of classrooms had Nativity scenes. They were illegal, but I turned a blind eye. It was my duty as a citizen to intervene -- and I didn't care enough to get into it. The only other cultish stuff I saw was Christmas related. Santa and Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and such. I decided that fighting with the local culture, was not something that I was responsible for. I did speak with a few Science teachers, who were under pressure to teach Creationism -- and not teach evolution.

I don't know what the current reporting procedures are. When I was teaching, back in the mid eighties, I was required to report. I don't know what the results were. It never actually came up. One day, when I was subbing in District 4, I was confronted with an out of control class. I reported to the Principal. I remember because he was Mr. Rodgers. Mr. Rodgers told me that if I couldn't control my class, I should clock out. I took him at his word. I clocked out. It cost me a days pay and I had no regrets. I was never asked back. I don't know if anybody else was told to clock out if they couldn't manage their class. One of my better moments. Worthy of Gandhi.

Badly. One day, two of my boys got into a fight with each other. They ignored me when I ordered them to separate, so I got between them and pushed. One of them ran down the hall to my supervisor. Who was in trouble? Me. She ripped me a new one in front of the class. If I had done nothing and one of them had gotten hurt -- who would have been responsible? Me. I would have been up on different charges, regarding neglect of duty. Depending on which failure I'm responsible for; I either do too much too impose discipline, or not enough. Teaching is not a difficult job. It's impossible. There is limitless responsibility and no authority. The Principal is not a friend. The Parent's Association is watching. Various other entities and groups -- district and regional level -- are also watching. Like vultures. I didn't even mention the lectures I got, from idiot know-it-alls. Not actually important, but really irritating. It took me three years to go into total burnout. I was never diagnosed with PTSD, but I'm sure I had it. To all those wonderful people, who think teachers have it so great -- FREAKING TRY IT!

It's not a label that I use for myself. I think it's worth talking about.

Something for the people, who want an affirmative and non-reactive label, with values.

If God, the perfect mind, were behind Scripture -- any Scripture -- it would be perfect Scripture. Any one who read it, would have perfect understanding. I don't have anything resembling a perfect mind, so I can't imagine how this would be done. God would know how to do it. On the other hand, if all Scripture had Human origins, with all the imperfection that implies -- how would the world of religion look? It would look the way it does. Divisive, fractious, and chaotic -- with all the nasty bits of the Human mind projected onto God. Now a simple look at the claims of Genesis. God created the "world" -- and the rest of everything -- the entire Universe -- in six days. Really? God did the entire Universe in six days -- and needed Human scribes? The All Powerful couldn't self publish the perfect Book? He needed Human scribes? Better yet. We couldn't all be born knowing the contents? And eternal damnation if we believe the wrong Book?

The Jehovah's Witnesses have declared that it is idolatry. They refuse to participate for that reason.

Welcome to the board. Do join the conversations in progress.

I've had some time to think about this study. First, None does not equate to Agnostic or Atheist. Sometimes None only means lack of membership. Second, I've been seeing similar polls all my life. Others were around long before I came along. So far, they have not proven accurate. Third, I have seen other recent polls, that suggested, demographically, Atheism was on the decline. Fourth, a recent poll that I saw insisted, that Islam was going to be the largest religious category within 40 years. As Mark Twain commented -- "Lies, damned lies and statistics." I go by my own perceptions. For better or for worse, religion is not going anywhere.

Thank you. There are times when we all need a little kindness.

You wonderful Free Thinker. You are projecting.

Thank you. It was interesting. Other studies draw different conclusions.

It's more than that. It's the creation of otherness. That Atheist Americans are not real Americans. Which is what both Presidents Bush actually stated. That "real" Americans believe in God. I'm so tired of being abused and insulted by my own government. How do you feel about being delegitimized? I know the ceremony is stupid. It's an emotional thing. Time to stop standing for the Pledge.

The traditional response is -- Yes dear.

The old Pledge did just fine for us, until 1954. Atheism was conflated with Communism, so we had to distinguish "us" from them" -- them being the Godless commies. It was cold war hysteria. Now, it's tradition. As in traditional American values. It amazes me how political corruption insists on wrapping itself in the Flag. Now, they wrapped God in the Flag. Quite a trick.

Hope may spring eternal, but I'm not seeing the progress.

This is one of the BS things that people point too, when they want to assert that we are a Christian nation. The damage may not seem like much, but it is cumulative. I feel damaged by it, even if you don't. Principals are lost in such small increments. One day, we look up, and people like Ted Cruz and Rick Perry are running things. That a Betsy DeVoss is running the Department of Education. Then we find out that the small things were worth protesting.

In Saudi Arabia, being an Atheist is punishable by death. By the State. Saudi National Law conflates Atheism with terrorism. Think of all the Saudi funded madrasas, all over the world. Remember that Mecca and Medina are both in Saudi Arabia. The hearts of the Islamic world. Iran, the center of Shia Islam, also rewards Atheists with the death penalty. Of course, the Islamic State ......... Your joy is premature.

Enjoy.

Free Thinker is still a useful term, where blasphemy laws are enforced.

"Free Thinker" is the umbrella term for all the different free thought labels. It includes, but is not limited too -- Atheists, Agnostics, Brights, Secularists, Objectivists, and all the other varieties of Godless and Ungodly. By all means. You want to call yourself a Free Thinker? Use it. See how the pious and the Godly treat you.

What powers do you imagine a teacher has, to enforce discipline or anything else? Shut it off? With what? My magic wand? Maybe you think I can sprinkle the little darlings with angel dust? Not so little. I still remember the fifth grade boy who, in smiling playfulness, walked over and picked me up.

Again, Nature vs. Nurture. If we do not go to specifics, we have an answer which is over generalized and meaningless. Theories of child rearing abound. Which theory is the flavor of the week? And who will enforce it? Children are removed from unfit homes in America. The problem is who gets to decide what "unfit" means. I've heard of cases where a parent lost custody, because they were Wiccan or Atheist -- or were on drugs. I never heard of a parent losing custody, because they were racist. What is abuse? What is discipline? What is lack of supervision? These are deep waters, not for the faint of heart. Parents have been hauled into court for spanking their children. What if scolding becomes actionable? Then what? An arrest for yelling?

It's a minor variant on an old joke. "My religion. Your superstition." Hence, you have religion. Dan has God. It's not all that funny. Only an explanation. Here's the funny part. Dan thinks that he's a "Free Thinker." Maybe, not so funny.

Finally, some good news. I will think fondly of your travels.