An old country preacher shares this letter he received:
Dear John, As you know, we’ve been working real hard in our town to get prayer back in the schools. Finally, the school board approved a plan of teacher-led prayer with the children participating at their own option. Children not wishing to participate were to be allowed to stand out in the hallway during prayer time. We were hoping someone would sue us so we could go all the way to the Supreme Court and get that old devil-inspired ruling reversed.
Naturally, we were all exited by the school board’s action. As you know, our own little Billy is now in the second grade. Of course Margaret and I explained to him no matter what the other kids did, he was going to stay in the classroom and participate. After the first day of school, I asked him, “How did the prayer time go?” “Fine”. “Did many kids go out into the hallway?” “Two”. “Excellent. How did you like your teachers prayer?” “It was different, Dad. Real different from the way you pray.” “Oh? Like how?” “She said, ‘Hail Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners….”
The next day I talked with the principal. I politely explained I wasn’t prejudiced against Catholics but I would appreciate Billy being transferred to a non-Catholic teacher. The principal said it would be done right away.
At supper that evening, I ask Billy to say the blessing. He slipped out of his chair, sat cross legged on the floor, closed his eyes, raised his hands, palms up and began to hum. You’d better believe I was at the principals office at eight o’clock the next morning! “Look,” I said. “I don’t really know much about these Transcendental Meditationists, but I sure would feel a lot more comfortable if you could move Billy to a room where the teacher practices an older, more established religion.” That afternoon I met Billy as soon as he walked in the door after school. “I don’t think you’re gonna like Mrs. Nakisone’s prayer, either, Dad.” “Out with it”. “She kept calling God ‘O Great Buddha…”
The following morning I was waiting for the principal in the school parking lot. “Look, I don’t want my son praying to the Eternal Spirit of whatever or to Buddha. I want him to have a teacher who prays in Jesus’ name!”
“What about Bertha Smith?” “Excellent”. I could hardly wait to hear about Mrs. Smith’s prayer. When the final bell rang, I was there to greet little Billy. “Well?” I ask, as we went toward the car. “Okay”. “Okay, what?” Mrs Smith asked God to bless us and ended her prayer in Jesus’ name, amen—just like you.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Now, we’re getting someplace!” “Dad, she even taught us a verse of scripture about prayer,” said Billy. I beamed. “Wonderful!” What was the verse?”
“Let’s see……”And behold, they began to pray unto Jesus, calling him their Lord and God.” “Fantastic,” I said, as we reached the car, then I paused because I couldn’t place the scripture, “Billy, did Mrs. Smith tell you what book that verse was from?” “Third Nephi, chapter 19, verse 18.” “Third what!” “Nephi,” “It’s in the book of Mormon.”
The school board doesn’t meet for a month. I’ve given Billy very definite instructions that at prayer time each day he is to go out into the hallway. I plan on being at that board meeting. If they don’t do something about this situation, I’ll sue. I’ll take it all the way to the Supreme Court if I have to. I do not need the schools or anyone else teaching MY son about religion. We can take care of that ourselves at home and the church, Thank you very much!
Give my love to Sandy and the boys.
Your friend, Juan
