Comments on: Moment of Forced Silence http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/ by Hemant Mehta Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:54:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Teacher Jane http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-325463 Teacher Jane Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:24:43 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-325463 As a teacher, at our school the moment of silence is during the announcements and only for a 5 or 7 seconds. Then the announcements continue. I noticed someone asked how long the moment of silence was? The length of the moment of silence is usually up to the principle. As a teacher, at our school the moment of silence is during the announcements and only for a 5 or 7 seconds. Then the announcements continue. I noticed someone asked how long the moment of silence was? The length of the moment of silence is usually up to the principle.

]]> By: Kyle http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-149764 Kyle Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:23:50 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-149764 I've taken part in the moment of silence thing at school. The principal would announce it over the intercom at the beginning of the day. Sometimes it felt appropriate. Sometimes I'd just twiddle my thumbs. I never felt like I was having anyones religion forced on me. It fosters respect and reflection. Whats wrong with that? Pick your battles, guys. Do we really need to concern ourselves with such petty bullshit? I’ve taken part in the moment of silence thing at school. The principal would announce it over the intercom at the beginning of the day. Sometimes it felt appropriate. Sometimes I’d just twiddle my thumbs. I never felt like I was having anyones religion forced on me.

It fosters respect and reflection. Whats wrong with that?

Pick your battles, guys. Do we really need to concern ourselves with such petty bullshit?

]]> By: Skeptical Pantheist http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-148883 Skeptical Pantheist Sat, 05 Apr 2008 01:05:34 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-148883 It's all about context. Momentary group silence can be a powerful pedagogical tool, if it's used in the right context. As a cover for prayer, of course, and done in an industrial by-the-clock fashion, it isn't useful, it's oppressive. On the other hand, a moment of silence guided by someone who really gets it can work wonders with developing listening skills and concentration in the kids. It is a way to develop sensitivity for others, patience, and self-discipline... essential social skills. It's more about using silence as a practice in itself than as a trojan horse for authority. It’s all about context. Momentary group silence can be a powerful pedagogical tool, if it’s used in the right context. As a cover for prayer, of course, and done in an industrial by-the-clock fashion, it isn’t useful, it’s oppressive.

On the other hand, a moment of silence guided by someone who really gets it can work wonders with developing listening skills and concentration in the kids. It is a way to develop sensitivity for others, patience, and self-discipline… essential social skills. It’s more about using silence as a practice in itself than as a trojan horse for authority.

]]> By: Joe http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-81740 Joe Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:11:08 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-81740 Sad that before prayer was removed from the school that a fist fight was one of the worst things that happened. Since then, well....you get the idea. Take him out of the country and well... you get the idea...or do you? Sad that before prayer was removed from the school that a fist fight was one of the worst things that happened. Since then, well….you get the idea. Take him out of the country and well… you get the idea…or do you?

]]> By: Joe http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-81739 Joe Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:58:24 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-81739 If someone doesn't want to do the moment of silence to reflect on anything, why not be constructive and think of a question to ask the teacher after the silence to enlighten everyone. I heard some "brillient" person on the radio today say talking about his daughter that if it were just 15 seconds long that it would equal an hour for the school year and that would be 4 hours in her high school career that she could be learning and not wasting time! what a pathetic stance to take. Well, have her write out a question. If there is 177 days in the class a year, 708 questions that she could ask in her high school carrer and make the whole class smarter.....using his logic. If someone doesn’t want to do the moment of silence to reflect on anything, why not be constructive and think of a question to ask the teacher after the silence to enlighten everyone.
I heard some “brillient” person on the radio today say talking about his daughter that if it were just 15 seconds long that it would equal an hour for the school year and that would be 4 hours in her high school career that she could be learning and not wasting time! what a pathetic stance to take.
Well, have her write out a question. If there is 177 days in the class a year, 708 questions that she could ask in her high school carrer and make the whole class smarter…..using his logic.

]]> By: Friendly Atheist » Moment of Forced Silence Implemented in Illinois http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-77300 Friendly Atheist » Moment of Forced Silence Implemented in Illinois Mon, 15 Oct 2007 01:18:16 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-77300 [...] Chicago Tribune ran an article today about the now-mandatory moment of silence in public schools across the state. “I think it’s ridiculous,” [...] [...] Chicago Tribune ran an article today about the now-mandatory moment of silence in public schools across the state. “I think it’s ridiculous,” [...]

]]> By: Joe M http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-77235 Joe M Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:11:18 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-77235 Well, you call it a moment of silence because the students are expected to, at the very least, be silent. I don't see why calling it a moment of silence because of that should be a problem. Well, you call it a moment of silence because the students are expected to, at the very least, be silent. I don’t see why calling it a moment of silence because of that should be a problem.

]]> By: Mriana http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-77200 Mriana Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:27:44 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-77200 Well then, Joe, why don't we get them to call it "A Moment of Thought"? I like how that sounds. :) Well then, Joe, why don’t we get them to call it “A Moment of Thought”? I like how that sounds. :)

]]> By: Joe M http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-77176 Joe M Sun, 14 Oct 2007 14:13:30 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-77176 I think mandating a moment of silence is just a ridiculous as banning a moment of silence. You can't force children to <i>have</i> respect, you can just force them to <i>show</i> it. On the other hand, consider what happens during a moment of silence: some folks pray, but some <i>think</i> instead. As a moment of uninterrupted thought is exactly what a lot of students need, I can find no fault with that. I think mandating a moment of silence is just a ridiculous as banning a moment of silence. You can’t force children to have respect, you can just force them to show it.

On the other hand, consider what happens during a moment of silence: some folks pray, but some think instead. As a moment of uninterrupted thought is exactly what a lot of students need, I can find no fault with that.

]]> By: Mriana http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-77008 Mriana Sat, 13 Oct 2007 21:13:04 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/12/moment-of-forced-silence/#comment-77008 <blockquote>The lord’s prayer can be said in 22 seconds without rushing. (I only know because I asked somebody else to do it, honest. )</blockquote> Hail Mary can be said in less time without rushing. Maybe half the time. :lol:

The lord’s prayer can be said in 22 seconds without rushing. (I only know because I asked somebody else to do it, honest. )

Hail Mary can be said in less time without rushing. Maybe half the time. :lol:

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