The Wacky FFRF

I tell you what. It sure is difficult to maintain a positive attitude. Listen to this from Tom Jackson in Tampa...

Gaylor argues, nonsensically, that people attending government functions should not be forced to pray. Standing (or, as likely, slouching) in silence while someone else delivers a prayer constitutes neither participation nor endorsement but merely respectfulness, a diminishing quality in modern life.

Standing up for your country or a dignitary is respectful. Standing up for deities is sometimes awkward, especially if the deity is not your own. And standing up for leprechauns is just silly. Standing up for silly stuff that you don't believe in is dishonest, not respectful. Religion needs to be private in a government forum. People vote for politicians, not pastors.

He continues...

It would not be caving to the nutty absolutism of the Freedom From Religion crowd to suggest that in such settings - including but not limited to government meetings, civic club luncheons, chamber of commerce do's and political party dinners - invocators should avoid being brand-specific.

Not because they have to be, but because it is the respectful thing to do.

Ok, Tom. Nice slippery-slope. There's two sides to a slope; it can also go the other way if we non-believers are silent. You know darn well that when they say "God" they mean the Christian God.

That's fine. I stand and put my hand over my heart for the pledge and then when the prayer starts, I pull out my smart phone and do something measurably constructive.