I could really use some advice

[Artemis84]

This year will be my 3rd year on my school swimteam. Every year the captains create a new tradition to make their mark in team history. One year was cowboy hats at home meets and another year was the "Razzle" cheer. But this year, the captains have instituted a swimmer prayer before every meet. I bowed my head politely in prayer, but I was a little offended when one of our captains said, "In Jesus's name, we thank you our lord and saviour." Then we were all encouraged to give a whopping "Amen!" Normally, I'm very tolerant of a person's right to pray. But I'm also a big believer in the separation of church and state, and I feel like I (as well as others) obligated to pray. What should I do? Or should I do anything?

[Yvonne Belisle]

Talk to the captain privately and tell them what bothers you about it perhaps they will change it.

[cherrywind]

Yvone's right, you can talk to her and tell her you have a problem with it. You can offer a prayer where no specific deities are mentioned as well maybe.

[Illuminatus]

Just keep your head down and let them do what they want. Think about something other than jesus... like flowers or sex or shooting people, or something really evil if you like.

Every day of your life, you're going to have to listen to people say stuff you don't like. How is this different? Just let them say their piece, and if you don't want to believe it or join in, then don't.

[mol]

Originally posted by Artemis84
This year will be my 3rd year on my school swimteam. Every year the captains create a new tradition to make their mark in team history. One year was cowboy hats at home meets and another year was the "Razzle" cheer. But this year, the captains have instituted a swimmer prayer before every meet. I bowed my head politely in prayer, but I was a little offended when one of our captains said, "In Jesus's name, we thank you our lord and saviour." Then we were all encouraged to give a whopping "Amen!" Normally, I'm very tolerant of a person's right to pray. But I'm also a big believer in the separation of church and state, and I feel like I (as well as others) obligated to pray. What should I do? Or should I do anything?

It is inappropriate. Just as it would be innapropriate for everyone to be made to dance naked around a maypole or trace pentacles in the air with their fingers.

It just shouldnt be.

Talk to your captain and tell him/her that you feel it inappropriate. And if possible, bring others that feel the same way with you.

[mol]

Originally posted by Illuminatus
Just keep your head down and let them do what they want. Think about something other than jesus... like flowers or sex or shooting people, or something really evil if you like.

Every day of your life, you're going to have to listen to people say stuff you don't like. How is this different? Just let them say their piece, and if you don't want to believe it or join in, then don't.

"Religion and Education are mutually exclusive entities."

That is a quote from you and I agree with it. Don't wimp out now.

[Artemis84]

~Talk to the captain privately and tell them what bothers you about it perhaps they will change it.~

I'm just a little scared. A couple people on the team are very devout Christians including the captains. I where my pentagram openly and I'm worried that talking to the captain will make things even more tense religously speaking.

[Chibi-Fallon]

Originally posted by Artemis84
I where my pentagram openly and I'm worried that talking to the captain will make things even more tense religously speaking.

You know you *can* fix that. Very easily. You are allowed to take the pentagram off aren't you? Put it in your shirt?
Does it bug your kid (it seems like a given but a *lot* of parents just assume)? Does he want to do anything about it? It's his swimteam, if he doesn't care then you should probably just deal.

[Djiril]

Unless there is a danger of being burned at the stake, I suggest you tell them that it bothers you. You'll never get to have you're say if you don't make you're opinions heard.