Jenn Martinelli Blogging in Boston

First of all, is this really necessary? When you think about it, isn't it a little creepy?

Secondly, there is something going on with this in the Supreme Court. An atheist is arguing that making school children recite "under God" (which, in case you didn't hear about it already, was added by Congress in the 1970's) in schools is akin to a forced religious exercise. Some of the more "skeptical" justices questioned whether he (Michael Newdow) would also have a problem with children singing "God Bless America" in school, "In God We Trust" being stamped on US coins or "God save the United States and this honorable court" being stated at the beginning of the court sessions, as if to prove to him that his assertion was ridiculous. Well, let me answer that. Yes, I kind of do.

Does everyone not understand that the point of religious freedom and the separation of church and state isn't that you can believe in whatever religion you choose so long as you believe in something? There is no requirement that you practice any religion or belief in any higher being of any kind. That doesn't mean the opposite either - that you're restricted from such beliefs. But it DOES mean that you are restricted from forcing them on other people. What does everyone not understand about this?

Yes, I have just as much of a problem with kids being directed to sing "God Bless America" in public schools as I would with kids being forced to recite the Lord's Prayer or a bible verse or anything else religious. And no, it's not really necessary to invoke God on our coins and in our courts. The difference is who is doing it. If you, as a citizen, want to pray or talk about religion or even instruct people that yours is the right one, etc., that's fine, you're allowed to. But you're not allowed to if you are representing the government and coercing others to do it. Come on, people.

Oh, by the way - the Newdow guy is an Athiest and his wife (ex-wife I guess) is a born-again Christian. Yeah, their kid isn't screwed up at all.

There you go, that's the smashed finger, fresh from the window.

Heather had a very unfortunate incident yesterday. The window slammed shut on her finger and smashed it - and not only that, it was stuck in there for a minute and at first she didn't think she'd be able to get the window open and she almost passed out. Poor Heather!