1. If the "Christian Right" has so much power why:
1)Can you not say "Merry Christmas" in public school or in public places without a tyrannical response from the PC police?
2)Can students not pray over a meal in public school without being censored?
3)Does the teaching of evolution enjoy a virtual monopoly in public schools?
4)Can you not wear a T-shirt with the words "Jesus Christ" on it in public school? He's a historical figure. You can advertise just about any other message.
5.Does the gay lifestyle advocacy message get taught in public schools, ad nauseum and to the exclusion of actual learning?

We've heard this nonsense before about how evangelical preachers are running the country. Haggee and Parsley have exactly zero influence over public policy. And neither one is teaching racist, anti-American ideas. There are no mobs of people running through the streets inspired by these guys. So why the obsession, Cenk?

Dave at 7:23AM on May 23rd 2008

2. Dave-
You are so wrong on each and every one of your points. Growing up in a strict Irish Catholic family, yet going to a public school, I was able to do each and every one of those things YOU say are forbidden.
1) Anybody can say Merry Christmas, but why should the school post it everywhere? It shouldn't, if for no other reason out of respect of the Jewish and other faith students. Do people still say it? Well yeah, duh.
2) I could at anytime say a blessing over my school lunch, but come on, it's not the school's place to see to it that I do. If you're so big on this, then I say, teach them only the Catholic prayers. Hmm, bet you'd be against that one though. If you want to mandate that, then I say, send your kids to a Parochial school, just like many Catholic families do.
3) Schools are not there for my spiritual education (unless I’m attending a Parochial school), they are there to teach us math, reading, science, etc. Again, if you want to make this an issue, then I say, teach them the Catholic methods and beliefs. But again, I’m sure you’d be against that.
4) When’s the last time you’ve been in school (quite awhile I’d guess)? I have, to this day, a t-shirt I wore that said, “Quick, Jesus is coming – Look Busy.” Never had a problem from anyone about that.
5) And, the Gay Lifestyle? What the heck are you babbling about? I’ve never known of any teacher to “advocate” and drone on and on about such (and I’ve got 12 nieces and nephews). What I do want to see is for young people to be told by their teachers it’s not appropriate to discriminate against those who are different. What’s wrong with that message? NOTHING, Period.

Now, please stop with the ridiculous postings about how immoral the public school system is. It’s not there to teach morality, it’s there to teach the basics and fundamental aspects of what a child will need, outside of religion, to make it in this world. My spiritual teachings should come from my family and the church I attend. Period.

Bpers2001 at 9:53AM on May 23rd 2008

3. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now it is Parsley's turn to go down!
Come on McBush, what are you waiting for to reject this Pastor????

Patty at 10:41AM on May 23rd 2008

4. Dont get mad a Cenk for calling this the day before it happened....Oh yea and Rod Parsley was denounced and rejected as well ! Right on Cenk !

Paul B at 11:19AM on May 23rd 2008

5. I have come to the conclusion that people like John Hagee, Pat Robertson, James Dobson, and yes, Jeremiah Wright are all such fanatics and loons that they cannot help but run their mouths. They really believe the f--ked up things they say. The Republican party sold its soul long ago to these snake oil idiots - and this is the price they pay for it.
Yes, Obama was held accountable for Wright and so be it. But McCain is just as accountable - and he actively sought out Hagee's endorsement. But I will bet my next paycheck McCain will get yet another free ride from most of the media.

David S. at 11:27AM on May 23rd 2008

6. BPERS - Unfortunately, you are incorrect in your assertion that we have religious freedom in public schools. Across this nation, there are hundreds of court cases being litigated that demonstrate that religious liberty is under attack in public schools and in the public square. If you question this, contact the Alliance Defense Fund. They can show you case after case where religious freedom of speech is under assault in this nation.

Are you seriously telling me that municipal employees, public school teachers and many corporate employees are not effectively prohibited or at least strongly discouraged from saying Merry Christmas? If you question this, I have to ask how often you get out and talk to people.

And no, I was not arguing for compulsory prayer over lunch, but voluntary prayer should be permissible. In many instances when kids want to do so, the "Separation of Church and State", a non-constitutional idea, is suddenly invoked and kids wind up being singled out, vilified for living out their faith and in trouble with their school administration. Once again, this is not my imagination, this is happening across America, as ADF can verify.

And as far as the gay agenda is concerned, you can't be serious. It's now part of the curriculum in public schools. Diversity is a constant and common theme in public schools and if you deny this, you're denying reality. And by teaching moral equivalence, public schools are teaching a kind of "morality" which conflicts and encroaches upon what many students learn at home and in church. How fair is that?

Dave at 11:42AM on May 23rd 2008

7. No Dave, my point exactly is, the church doesn't belong in the public school system. No how, no way. Spiritual teaching should be done by the family and your church - not my third grade teacher.

Bpers2001 at 12:12PM on May 23rd 2008

8. Straight Talk Express

LOL

America's Most Gangsta at 12:12PM on May 23rd 2008

9. Dave can you clearly stae what your goals are for teaching in the public school system?

Also what was the ADF created for?

JefFlyingV at 12:17PM on May 23rd 2008

10. Just watching all this unravel, one can only smile secretely, because God is Allowing it to happen, so
that the world can see where you people stand!
McCain was a phony from the start. He was never a conservative and he's just like you and all the others who are spiritually ignorant. You people don't know the Word of God!!Go read the Book for yourself, please. Jesus clearly states in the NT:
I will let Jerusalem be a heavy stone around your neck if you make it your business. Be warned!
As for the Catholic Church, during WW11, the Pope did conspire to destroy the Jewish people, just the way Emperor Hadrian of Rome wanted to by wiping their country's name off the map. It only shows how ignorant and stupid you,CNN and the media are!

lorraine walker at 12:33PM on May 23rd 2008

11. Cenk

Now Hagee, McCains non pastor is gone-gone where-oh that's right, the endorsement is tossed aside.

Now Obama is another matter. Why is the Democrats so fanatic about trying to sweep Obama's Muslim connections under the carpet and hide it. Obama's supports on the Liberal Fascists side of the party, are frantic over any connection or even mention of Obama's name and Muslim mentioned in the same breath.

Obama is a Muslim to over 1 billion Muslims worldwide. A few disbelivers do not change that.

Obama, according to Islamic beliefs, was blessed by Allah because he was born into the true faith of Allah because his father was a Muslim. It makes no difference if Obama's father was active in the religion or that his mother was an Athiest as many Obama's supporters try to say. Obama is a Muslim who also has renounced his Islamic Religion when he got involved with Rev Wright. Very bad in the eyes of other Muslims.

Obama is a Muslim and was born into the Muslim/Islamic Religion and half of his close relatives are Muslims.

Oh, for sure, Captain Negative is going to freak out again, he just hates Muslim ties being made to his boy, Obama.

robert okane at 12:37PM on May 23rd 2008

12. McCain would not "owe" anything to Hagee if you honestly believe Obama would not owe anything to Wright. You can't have it both ways, Cenk. I doubt McCain ever spent 3 seconds thinking about Hagee before the press manufactured this issue. However, Wright is just the tip of the iceberg of racial hate & prejudice, unfortunately from a self-proclaimed pastor. You also underestimate the undercurrent of what Wright said - there are many people who agree with him because of his charisma, whereas Hagee has very few people who would take his words & turn them into public policy. This is why Wright is much more dangerous than Hagee. Rethink this a bit before you broadcast your next rant.

CAL at 12:42PM on May 23rd 2008

13. ... As for this talk about poor, little New Orleans. Do you know anyone from there personally?
There are those who were born and raised there that say they would never go back to that state, and this was before Katrina!! Why? Because of corruption, crime, Murder, and VOODOO. One woman died many years ago because of this thing called V.
Being too friendly and sociable, going to peoples' houses eating and being merry, she died a slow death, and the doctors didn't know why her stomach was so big and swollen. You need to get behind the superficial news and open your eyes, Turkey. God will judge evil.

lorraine walker at 12:43PM on May 23rd 2008

14. Bpers2001,

What logical sense is there in saying "the church doesn't belong in the public school system. No how, no way."? Have YOU really studied what Christianity teaches - not a church organization, but core Christian teachings? If so, how could anyone disagree with "love God with your whole heart & your neighbor as yourself"? If this were truly followed by society, you would see no corporate greed, racial hatred, murder, theft, dishonesty, etc. To throw this out of the public school then leaves what: greed, materialism, self-centeredness, driftless morals, lack of big picture understanding of life & the world around us, do unto you before you do me, etc. Moral principles can be taught without evangelism - I agree with you that is best left to individuals & churches. Spend more time studying the foundation of Christianity with an open mind and I'm sure you'll gain a different perspective. I can find faults in churches & Christians, no doubt, but not in Christ's teachings. I know practicing atheists who try to follow his teachings because they make logical sense!

CAL at 12:44PM on May 23rd 2008

15. Cal, so you are essentially saying, you would find it perfectly acceptable to have Judaism the basis for teaching in the public schools?

JefFlyingV at 12:49PM on May 23rd 2008