George- You are going to need to explain yourself. Are you saying that I am arguing the definition of "optional"?

I think it goes without debate that telling a 7-year-old to face the front and recite a pledge, and if he/she doesn't know the words, you teach it to him/her, and then you ask that that same child recite it -- THAT DEFIES ALL RATIONAL EXPLANATION OF "OPTIONAL."

Let me comare it to another word -- "consent."

If someone agrees to have sex with me, she (or he) has consented to sex. If that person is 12-years-old, the word "consent" loses it's original meaning.

Children agree to things to please adults. The law of sexual abuse recognizes that fact. The law of RELIGIOUS INDOCTRINATION also recognizes that. Thus, coercing a child to participate in OPTIONAL prayer is not allowed. The Supreme Court agrees.

As for my support of conservative Christians (or lack thereof), please re-read my post saying that I oppose any attempt to use RICO statutes to prosecute non-violent abortion clinic protesters. I disagree with then vehemently, yet I've been kicked out of many punk-rock parties for standing up for their rights.

My only problem with conservative Christians is that they tend to be more willing to infringe on the rights of others than I am. Of course, so are politically correct liberals. i also annoy them..

I will support any conservative Christian's right to live his or her life as they see fit, and I will gladly take abuse from my leftist pals to support that. I will not stand by and let so-called Christians abuse the name of Jesus to shove religious intolerance down my throat

re-read my posts and tell me where I've been anti-Christian. if I was, I will appologize.

Al