73 Comments

• Sionnachfionn | Nov 03, 2012, 10:53 PM EDT

  Well Misneac, isn't it just as well that you are neither the principal or a fellow student? Intolerance that leads to isolation and bullying is particularly unpleasant.

• misneac | Oct 30, 2012, 10:10 PM EDT

  I do not intend to comment further on this issue after the folowing . Seanomelb ,what do you mean by "rights " ? If I am in Customs at Kennedy Airport and an official asks me to open my bag .I refuse on the basis that it infringes my "rights " . (Have a nice day ! ) As for Sionnachfionn I appreciate that as an atheiest he wouldnt understand ! To finally terminate this boring interchange of comments ,could I say that as Principal of a School I should be expected to submit to the predjudices of the parent of a juvenile and change the official programme . What arrogance ! As a fellow student I would sort out this little pompous troublemaker !!!

• seanomelb | Oct 28, 2012, 10:35 PM EDT

  since when were individual rights a requirement to "discipline"???

• seanomelb | Oct 27, 2012, 10:34 PM EDT

  Misneac, what is your point? I'd like to understand.

• misneac | Oct 27, 2012, 07:43 PM EDT

  I can assure the recent contributors that I have not run out of steam ,nor have you run out of hot air ! Again I repeat ,the central point of my arguement is related to discipline ( ref: Army ). A final thought for the insecure and uncomfortable atheist , " God " implies an essential reference to Someone or something else which man can not control . Have a nice day and night !

• TheNorwegian | Oct 26, 2012, 08:33 PM EDT

  Misneac... "This little opinionated prat states that he has no religion ,please explain to me then how his religious rights are infringed?" Perhaps you should try reading the piece again? It stated, several times, that he thought his 'human rights' were infringed. By all means, you're free to believe what you want, but you also have to respect those who don't feel like you do. How would you feel about having to take part in Salah? (That's the Muslim prayer ritual), or any other prayer ritual for that matter? And before you start going on about 'but he lives in Ireland'. Yes, I'm aware religions are rather geographical. Have you ever thought about what that actually implies about the reality of their beliefs, and yours? Come on. Think for a bit about it. You believe in a supernatural, all-powerful deity, but he mostly cares about people in Ireland and couldn't care less about people in the Middle East and India? Think. Please. It doesn't hurt. Promise.

• seanomelb | Oct 26, 2012, 07:03 PM EDT

  Sionnachfionn! he hasn't got his listening ears on. The army would not force him to pray in any church!! Misneac your running out of steam.

• Sionnachfionn | Oct 25, 2012, 08:11 PM EDT

  Misneac, did you actually read the article above? Or any of the Articles of the Constitution I pointed in your direction? Just so you know, the world around you is changing so when a school/army/company breaches someone’s human rights, it is not the individual who should change, it’s the institution. In the past, it has been shown, that sometimes, the majority gets it wrong. If this ideal offends you, then perhaps you should spend some time in Saudi or Pakistan where, in accordance with your beliefs, none of this dissent would be tolerated. Maybe you’d be happier there. If this idea appalls you, then I suggest you question yourself a little more intensively than normal and ask yourself ‘why?’. Kudos to you if the answer you get is ‘well, they’re intolerant of my beliefs’ and wake the hell up if you think ‘well, they’re wrong….well…because I know they’re wrong’. In response to your previous question, ‘how did this 16 year old decide that there was no God’… thank you JonPierson for explaining the fundamentals of atheism. I would just like to add to that Misneac, you and Nathan are very similar in terms of your belief in gods. To quote Stephen F Roberts; ‘I contend we are both atheists, I just believe in one less god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.'

• misneac | Oct 25, 2012, 07:19 PM EDT

  The recent contributors completely miss the point ,which is that you obey the rules of the school .I hope this guy joins the Army where they will ensure that he has respect and obedience !

• seanomelb | Oct 25, 2012, 06:11 PM EDT

  Misneac your logic is flawed he did not wish to pray therefore why force him to do so. As an atheist myself I applaud him for making a stand. Your problem Misneac is you gave him no rights except your rights (which are irrelevant) your human right was not impinged upon. You should respect his point of view.

• JonPierson | Oct 25, 2012, 02:38 PM EDT

  misneac said: "Sionnachfionn ,how did this 16 year old decide that there was no God?" Unfortunately, having been indoctrinated since the age of four that there IS a God, you have succeeded in completely missing the reality. When you were born, you did not believe there was a God. Due to your having been indoctrinated into believing that there is a God, you have no adopted the utterly illogical position of suggesting that someone who has not been indoctrinated to believe there is a God must have decided that there is no God. No decision is required for this belief, it is simply the avoidance of having been indoctrinated to believe that there IS a God. The real question, then, is how did you decide that there IS a God? (Hint: The answer is detailed above.)

• misneac | Oct 25, 2012, 01:56 PM EDT

  Sionnachfionn ,how did this 16 year old decide that there was no God ? Obviously influenced by his father !Next week he will have problems attending Geography classes (no transport supplied ,affecting his human rights ). Imagine trying to integrate this guy in to a company !

• johnshiel | Oct 25, 2012, 10:29 AM EDT

  life is hard...

• Sionnachfionn | Oct 24, 2012, 09:08 PM EDT

  Misneac, thank you for your insight into my psyche. I will not return the favour, tempted though I am, but I will respond to your comments. Firstly, he is an atheist and asked politely to be excused from a prayer service because he does not believe in any gods. He is not claiming his religious rights were infringed. He is claiming his human rights were infringed. You asked what gave him the right to claim this...and I gave you the evidence (the Articles in the Irish Constitution which guarantee the rights of the parents in regards to his religious and moral upbringing). Your second point about a similar protest in Clonskeagh (!!!) is a non-sequitur. If Nathan Young grew up in a village in Ireland and the only school local to him was a state funded 'Muslim' school then, under the Irish Constitution and guidelines laid down by the European Convention of Human Rights, I would object equally if he was forced to attend an Islamic prayer service against his will. And I'm pretty sure you'd be on the bandwagon on this one! Lastly, I would like to understand what sort of bigotry I'm being accused of imposing on my children. Anti-Catholic? Anti-Protestant? Anti-Islamic? Anti-Semitic? Anti-Scientologist? Anti-Rastafarian? Anti-Hindu? Anti-Gay? Anti-Women? Anti-Men? I fail to see how wanting a secular state with an education system that respects the human rights of everyone is bigoted.

• misneac | Oct 24, 2012, 08:27 PM EDT

  Sionnacfionn ,you sure are a well adjusted individual - a chip on both shoulders ! This little opinionated prat states that he has no religion ,please explain to me then how his religious rights are infringed ? Can you imagine the reaction he would get to his protest in the Muslim school in Clonskeagh !!! You state that you are glad that Nathan Young is setting an example for your children .Perhaps you should have more consideration , and not impose your bigotry on them when they are still vulnerable and impressionable !

• misneac | Oct 24, 2012, 08:06 PM EDT

  Misneac, yes indeed, he does have the right of dissent. What gives him the right to turn his nose up at the 'establishment', is that the establishment itself (i.e. Irish Constitution, Articles 42.1, 43.4, 44.2.4 ) guarantees the rights of the parents in regard to his religious rights. Perhaps you should put your superb education to use and do a bit of reading around the subject before you blow off your distinctly tepid steam. But you're right on one point, his education is indeed being subsidised by me, and the other taxpayers in Ireland and again, I fully endorse his actions. Why wouldn't I? I do not have a choice about where my taxes go, yet the schools I and others fund, are allowed discriminate against my children? Hello? I'm glad Nathan Young is trying to change it for my children!

• curtisjohnson | Oct 23, 2012, 08:21 PM EDT

  He and his parents need to go back to the cradle of all materialist/secular degeneracy, the british terror state.

• misneac | Oct 23, 2012, 07:42 PM EDT

  Seanomelb , this arrogant little prat does not have the right of dissent .His education is being subsidised by the taxpayer,and an authority which lays down the rules .What gives him the right to avail of an education ,turning up his nose at the establishment ,and not abiding by the rules ? Why not build an extension to the college and house him there ? Would YoungPlke please educate me on what he means by "the good fortune to grow up in an open-minded UK rather than the backward -looking Republic of Ireland " .The usual claptrap cliche ,with no evidence to support such a statement .I am delighted at my good fortune to have been born and raised in Ireland ,and enjoyed the benefit of a superb education !

• seanomelb | Oct 23, 2012, 06:57 PM EDT

  IrelandNorth as a member of the forces in the sixties non-catholics were asked to "fallout" a term given to anyone who did not wish to take part in a religious ceremony. The religious hate and spite foisted upon this young man and his father by the unchristian hypocrites below is mind boggling they do not respect the people involved and their rights of dissent..

• YoungPike | Oct 23, 2012, 10:19 AM EDT

  The atheist kid is right. I presume his atheism comes via his English father who had the good fortune to grow up in the open-minded UK rather than the backward-looking Republic of Ireland.

• eiriamach | Oct 23, 2012, 09:37 AM EDT

  Renalda misrepresents the US constitutional position when writing "Our Supreme Court has made prayer or spiritual readings unlawful in public schools." NO, the Supreme Court has interpreted the First Amendment to the US Constitution as prohibiting *coerced* prayer under the auspices of public schools. Students can pray anytime, anywhere, nothing to stop them! But state officials would "establish" religion if they were to coerce students to pray together or attend religious instruction on the taxpayers' dime. It's about the freedom of all, including those who choose to leave religious practices out of their lives. People who care about religion ought to support this approach because we know that, without it, there would be endless competition about which sect would have the right to impose its prayers and its instruction on members of other sects. I certainly wouldn't want Renalda deciding which prayers my child must recite in a classroom!

• eiriamach | Oct 22, 2012, 09:44 PM EDT

  Ne0ica:' Fundamentalism - A usually religious movement or point of view characterized by a return to fundamental principles, by rigid adherence to those principles, and often by intolerance of other views and opposition to secularism'. Wouldn't this definition suggest that 'fundamentalist atheist' is an oxymoron? Even if it isn't, being a fundamentalist atheist and fighting for human rights seems a lot more moral that being a religious fundamentalist and flying planes into buildings and trying to repress women's rights. Misneac: As an Irish taxpayer, I fully endorse his cause and think it's wrong that he doesn't have a choice to attend a secular school. Ironically for you, it is people like him willing to fight for human rights, that ensure that you and I, as taxpayers don't live in a theocracy such as Pakistan or Saudi. Merefalow, totally agree! Having Catholicism rammed down my throat for 13 years of my schooling has resulted in a bitter aftertaste. Belief by force is counterproductive. Los Leandros...where do you live and do you have any sense of irony when making comments on a website for Irish emigrants about immigrants to your country, if your home is the US? Regardless of where you live, why is typing 'Ass' not acceptable to you when casual xenophobia is?

• ne0ica | Oct 22, 2012, 08:46 PM EDT

  You know sometimes I think Americans have moved too far to the right and then I read stories like this. Unfortunately they have become very common recently here with a new fundamentalist atheist activism.

• misneac | Oct 22, 2012, 08:32 PM EDT

  I HOPE HIS FELLOW STUDENTS DEAL WITH THIS ARROGANT LITTLE P***K . Imagine going in to the Muslim school in Clonskeagh and saying that his rights would be offended by listening to recitations from the KORAN ! As an Irish taxpayer I object to the attention given to the likes of this little prat .Imagine at 16 he decides he is an atheist ,he probably dosent know his Grandfathers name at this stage ! Send him off to Saudi or Pakistan ,and ask him to send us back an essay on human rights .

• merefalow | Oct 22, 2012, 08:11 PM EDT

  thats what fundamentalist theocrats do,belief by force,i have seen muslim clericks in saudi beat people into the mosques at prayer time,

• Renelda M. | Oct 22, 2012, 05:10 PM EDT

  This young man needs to shut up and listen to the wisdom of the ages through the religious readings. He needs to understand that there is knowledge to be found in ALL RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHIES. It would be wise for his parents to underscore that idea. What is this boy afraid of? From the article, I did not get that there was prosylytization. No one seems to be trying to indoctrinate him into a particular religious discipline. He can think of it as 'Living Literature' if it makes him less afraid.Further, I would suggest that he and his family read "The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran.The bottomline is that this child needs his parent's support to listen and learn whatever is taught in school. I wish American schools still ALLOWED the reading of the Bible or any religious/spiritual readings BEFORE classes each day. Our Supreme Court has made prayer or spiritual readings unlawful in public schools. Our school system has been declining ever since. Saluting God aand country before beginning each day makes for a better day.

• cillowen | Oct 22, 2012, 04:22 PM EDT

  this anti churchgoeing believer and his supporting dad are after some of the churchgoing public's money. The innocent always get shafted in such cases.

• Los Leandros | Oct 22, 2012, 01:37 PM EDT

  The little jerk should be given a good kick up the a...As for his father, why does'nt he go back to England. We can do without these kinds of atheist air-head immigrants. We have more than enough of the home grown variety.

• Sionnachfionn | Oct 22, 2012, 01:09 PM EDT

  Just realised I made a mistake. Apologies. The remaining 10% of schools are not 'non-dom' they are multi denominational. The 90% of schools of Catholic patronage can and do discriminate against non Catholics. 15% of Irish residents according to our most recent census are not Catholic. In twenty years there has been a 400% increase in the number of non believers in Ireland. To address the issues of creeping secularism/socialism/atheism/liberalism and the idea that this is a bad thing, having grown up in the repressed Catholic Ireland of the 80's and returning here after a 12 year absence, I can assure you that Ireland is a happier, more open and more free society than it ever has been. It is courageous people like Nathan Young defending his rights and thus the rights of minorities that will see the Ireland of our future a better place for our children.

• Desty | Oct 22, 2012, 12:01 PM EDT

  Joe Kelsall: Of course, you're right that it's important to pick your battles. However, I should point out that you CHOSE to attend weddings, christenings etc of loved ones. In this case, a boy was forced to attend an arbitrary religious service, and his polite request to not attend was rejected. On another note, a couple of people suggested that he be kicked out of the Christian school for various reasons. I should point out that not only do our taxes fund all Irish schools - be they religious or secular - but apparently they even fund the salaries of teachers at PRIVATE SCHOOLS in Ireland. Again, please consider that the call for secular schools is not intended to "subjugate the masses", but rather to accomodate EVERYONE. Church is the appropriate place to hear about religion, if it is your wish (although I still think it is irresponsible and unfair to brainwash children with religion, which is not based on observable facts and demands that critical thought be suspended arbitrarily).

• Phaenius | Oct 22, 2012, 11:42 AM EDT

  Sionnachfionn, thanks for your kind input. Even though my own forefather on my mother's Quinn side came to America in the 1820's because he had to leave having married a protestant (not sure if that meant that he also became a protestant), I still have an affection for the Irish, and Phaenius, the supposed pagan who invented the Aleph Beth for the language of the people of Canaan he ruled, was one of my supposed protoPhoenician ancestors and that of many of the Irish. I am Baptist, and my folk have been th victim of religious discrimination by Catholic and Protestant alike, but it was an English Baptist by the name of Leonard Busher having to leave England from time to time because of the Anglican persecutions of dissidents wrote a book pleading with King James to bring in LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE and FREEDOM OF THE PRESS for all sides to write or dispute without being sanctioned, even, in his words, "the Papists, for why should we learn (sic) the Turks to persecute those because of religion or names?" When Catholics came to America, and were very reluctantly accepted because of memory of persecution, they caught on to the concept of Liberty of Conscience and soon found they could prosper as well under this system, so that except for other reasons dealing with personal choices, our American Catholics are the best in the world, even being as zealous of our Protestant and Baptist pressed Liberties as the other non-Catholics...to which I offer the handshake of a fellow citizen. It is tough to see some of them recently being overcome by the socialism from Europe creeping into our institutions today.

• lokionline | Oct 22, 2012, 11:41 AM EDT

  Christians and even Muslims will adapt to a multi-faith, secular world sooner or later. All that's left is the shouting. Some of you no doubt consider this young man to be pushy or arrogant and should just "go along" with the majority, but the principle of non-coercion in matters of faith, religion or personal philosophy that this school principal would like to ignore is not going away, not now and not in the future.

• Joe Kelsall | Oct 22, 2012, 10:10 AM EDT

  Sometimes we all have to do thing we don't want to. In the grand realm of things, you get on with it. I don't go to church, but I go to christenings,weddings and funerals in church. I have never thought it important enough to stand on principle on such occasions. Pick your battles!

• IrelandNorth | Oct 22, 2012, 07:43 AM EDT

  As a young recruit in the Irish Army in the late 1970s, everyone was mustered for church parade n holy days of obligation regardless of religious persuasion. Given that most churches in most military barracks around the Irish state were Roman Catholic, the few Protestants in the Army were obliged to attend. I personally witnessed this happen.

• Sionnachfionn | Oct 22, 2012, 06:27 AM EDT

  Phaenius, 90% of the schools in Ireland are run by the Catholic Church and funded fully by the taxpayer. They are the equivalent of your state schools. The other 10% are non-denominational schools and these exist mostly in Dublin. There are no secular schools in Ireland. Most parents in rural areas do not have a choice about where to send their children, but in accordance with our constitution, DO have a right to ensure their children are not indoctrinated with religion if they so choose. Perhaps people might be a little more sympathetic to the cause if Nathan was a Catholic but the only school in the area was a state funded Islamic school? Imagine having the wrong god forced upon you. Marint, calling atheism a religion is like calling not playing football a sport. If reality based education over faith based education seems illogical to you, then send your children to a church to learn and save the space in the school for the children who want facts as a basis for their knowledge. Save religion for where it belongs...the church.

• eiriamach | Oct 22, 2012, 01:01 AM EDT

  Commanding a young person to kneel down and pray is likely the most effective way to produce an atheist.

• eiriamach | Oct 21, 2012, 11:51 PM EDT

  Inter-denominational prayer meetings are garbage....there is one true religiion, Catholicism, and to ask our children to prayer with other groups is wrong... that being said, I would not force an atheist to pray at all as long as it is o.k. with his parents...of course, if this school is a Catholic school as we have in America, they are free to throw his ass out if he doesn't comport himself as a good young Catholic......

• usacelt1 | Oct 21, 2012, 11:12 PM EDT

  I don't have "faith" in his claim. I am atheistic about this charge.

• JoePatAl | Oct 21, 2012, 10:59 PM EDT

  OPPS - I guess god did not proof read my prior note. I made a slight typo. "Just recall, the 14 yr old in Pakistan who was shot because she wanted religion." The word "Religion" should have been EDUCATION. But, as they who wounded her must have felt - education makes one realize that religion is merely a foolish lie, and they felt they needed to stop her from becoming aware of the stupidity caused by those foolish beliefs.

• JoePatAl | Oct 21, 2012, 10:53 PM EDT

  jamthecat you explained it exactly as it is. Religion is the major cause of violence and inequality across the world throughout history. The whole culture of our ancestry is a result of the 'religious' fervor from the nation just east our homeland and is the reason for the violence of the north. Even those who write in disagreement over the issue are only able to do that because religion is not the major control of Western culture. Just ask any Internet/Chatroom user in Saudi Arabia about sending forth messages to one and all? wonder if any of those people who disagree are female? If so, they could be severely injured aka maimed for 'talking' to unrelated men. Just recall, the 14 yr old in Pakistan who was shot because she wanted religion. HUMMM, they needed to stop the degeneracy that would happen and does not follow their belief in their religion of women being held very subservent to men. Whether the bible (Holocaust), kojiki (Pearl Harbor), or koran (9/11) is considered thrush, those 'outside' are faced usually with discrimination and often violence. AMEN

• curtisjohnson | Oct 21, 2012, 10:04 PM EDT

  He and his family should go back to the british terror state - the source of the modern materialist degeneracy he worships.

• Phaenius | Oct 21, 2012, 09:51 PM EDT

  I am not familiar with the Irish school systems, but if this in not a government school, the kid has no say...he should indeed go to the school system that supports his belief...many times this is regretably a public school system. The biggest state/religion scandel there is in America is government usurpation in the people's responsibility to educate their own children on their own dime or through support of private societies or charity and this is basically government entanglement in religion. However I am not entirely aware of the level of slavery or rescue Ireland is concerning the understood general tendency of socialism in Europe. Though I have given the correct concept concerning government and education I can barely say a thing when our OWN socialist government run schools exist in America. Public Education, having abandoned the original concept of teaching the children the true Biblical basis for their government, has become a failed experiment...and I understood while education was encouraged, the original government founded after 1776 did not have a government public school system.

• mairint | Oct 21, 2012, 08:34 PM EDT

  I notice that the few folk who agree with this unfortunate boy and his religion hating Dad, are all for teaching the religion of Atheism !!! They want us all to run on "logic"!! Whose logic I wonder??

• misneac | Oct 21, 2012, 07:30 PM EDT

  The Principal of the school should kick the little prat out ,and let him seek out an organisation which allows him to dictate to his superiors !The arrogance of this git is unbelieveable ,everybody else to subjugate themselves to his agenda !

• seanomelb | Oct 21, 2012, 05:48 PM EDT

  All that religious mumbo jumbo been foisted on the clear thinking minority atheist. If you need a religion to to teach you the bleeding obvious of love and respect you have a problem.

• StRoibard | Oct 21, 2012, 05:48 PM EDT

  So, this poor little baby had to hear others express their beliefs? Horrors! He'll be scarred for life! He now knows there is religion in the world! I hope he can be sheltered by his daddy from finding out that there are also terrorists, haters, and killers! Poor little baby boy. He didn't ... actually ... *gasp* hear prayers said, did he!!??? Oh the horror! Stupid father should be spanked in front of the school and his boy made to write a 5,000 word paper on religions of the world. Ignorance is the downfall of humanity. He's afraid of learning about the world.

• jamthecat | Oct 21, 2012, 05:01 PM EDT

  This is what religions do -- force you to bend to their will. Doesn't matter if it's Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish...to their fanatical followers, if you don't do what they want they will either force you or kill you. Nothing new about it.

• Sionnachfionn | Oct 21, 2012, 04:33 PM EDT

  90% of schools in Ireland are run by the Catholic Church however they are funded by the taxpayer. Parents in rural areas often do not have a choice about where to send their children. Both the ICHR and the Irish Constitution guarantee the rights of the parents in regard to religious and moral instruction. To say that secularism is the enemy of Irish identity is demonstrably false and if it wasn't so serious, would be laughable in the extent of its delusion. Secularism is about separating church and state. It is not about banning religion. People within the Catholic Church in Ireland abused their enormous power for decades and it is only now that the extent of that abuse is being fully realised. Many Irish Catholics feel absolutely disgusted and betrayed and while holding onto Catholic faith, of course want the abuse to stop. It is courageous people like Nathan Young who will make Ireland a better place for our children...Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, Agnostic. Well done!

• Stiofain | Oct 21, 2012, 04:09 PM EDT

  Borefield: Bore is an applicable name. You are a bigoted idiot. The mind is like a parachute, it works best when open.

• phinsman | Oct 21, 2012, 04:06 PM EDT

  I am so proud of Nathan Young. I grew up in a Catholic family, but am not religious or spiritual in any way. I am a non-believer. My brain is so logic oriented that if there is no proof that there is a single God or multiple deities, I will never think it is accurate. From what I have read, the number of non-believers have increased significantly over that last several decades. Everyone has the right to their own way of thinking about the origin of the Universe and Life.

• Irishphotograph | Oct 21, 2012, 03:02 PM EDT

  Secularism the enemy of the Irish identity. Irish society is rotten to the core because of it. Odysseus221 good wisdom. However the right Spiritual path is the one Jesus laid down for us.

• Smyrnian | Oct 21, 2012, 02:58 PM EDT

  Of course he wanted Borrosokane to be secular! That's what atheists always want. That agenda is always there. Nothing new.

• lakeisle | Oct 21, 2012, 02:49 PM EDT

  Sometimes at work or in dealing with society in general you have to go along with something for a while, even if you don't agree with it. That would happen to practically everyone sometimes. For example, when my daughter goes to secondary school she'll learn science, and modern science tends to have an atheistic view on the origins of life. But we'll have to get on with it anyhow (I'm not a Christian - I'm an Irish man associated with ISKCON - Vedic philosophy of ancient India) Or, I'm a vegetarian living in a country with more cows than people - and all the cows get slaughtered, apart from a tiny handful. But we have to deal respectfully with those around us anyhow, even if we disagree. Anyway - in a school, like in a job or in the army - you're in an environment of communal discipline to some degree, and sometimes one just has to tolerate. Just some thoughts...

• dickmac | Oct 21, 2012, 02:06 PM EDT

  I find this subject interesting ! I am a Senior citizen and can remember back in school when the class saluted the flag and a fellow student would leave the room because the word God was part of the salute. The best one was when the Governor issued a proclamation and it was read to the class at the end the teacher would say "All Rise and we would announce, God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts".

• Seanmor | Oct 21, 2012, 02:04 PM EDT

  Having been discharged from the marines in the mid-'60s, I took a few courses at Fordham Univ. (City Hall branch). Before each class the teacher led the students as we said the "Our Father" or the "Hail Mary" as was then the policy of Fordham - and no student ever objected.

• Nicomax | Oct 21, 2012, 12:54 PM EDT

  Was this a religiously-affiliated school? It is reported as a community college, but in Ireland things may be different. Thankfully here in the US the first amendment disallows any public support for religion, but allows people to practice any religion they choose, or not at all for that matter. This is the best way to approach this matter which should always be a personal one, even if you are in the majority. If not, just think if the school board in Dearborn, MI required all students to participate in reading the Koran, because a large portion of that city is Muslim.

• borefield | Oct 21, 2012, 12:38 PM EDT

  Desty, you are a pathetic idiot. Ignorance? Look it up.

• borefield | Oct 21, 2012, 12:14 PM EDT

  Since when is there a separation of church and state law in the Irish constitution relating to prayer in school ? I guess that it was his liberal political parents who lodged this silly complaint that is going no where anyway.

• Odysseus221 | Oct 21, 2012, 11:45 AM EDT

  I'm an American who lives in Thailand but spent 17 years in Dorchester Ma and got to know alot of Irish "off the boat". Lovely accents and manners when they want to be polite, as they usually are when not enebriated. Yet what I have to say speaks to the souls of not just the Irish, but of every person. Prayer is not a religion, it is an introspection into our very nature, without which, we loose perspective and balance; our very essense is within,our very selves in a spiritual sense. This is not and should not be a matter of debate. Living in Thailand, it is refreshing to see that everyday, everywhere, people start the day with brief meditation and prayer, incense burning everywhere in public and private places. This keeps people balanced and respectful. What is happening in the West is that our humanity, our spiritual essense is being legislated away and in its place more animalistic behavior becomes prevalent. Hold fast your belief in spiritual values if you want to be human.

• cherykie | Oct 21, 2012, 11:28 AM EDT

  Why would an atheist want to enroll in a religiously affiliated school in the first place? That would be like a Christian going to a Satanic school and insisting on the right to carry on Bible studies. Seems to me this person is motivated by the "divide and conquer" theory. Tear religion apart from the inside out.

• Seanmor | Oct 21, 2012, 11:19 AM EDT

  While on a Meditteranean cruise with the U.S. 6th Fleet in the '60s, the chaplian used to say "The Lord's Prayer over the PA system at 10 PM every night and no sailor or marine ever objected to this. But even if one or two men complained about the public recitation of the prayer, it would still be said.

• Desty | Oct 21, 2012, 11:12 AM EDT

  "Just an opportunity to squeeze unearned money from the taxpayer" This and other statements show some shocking ignorance on the part of many commenters. Why should taxpayer money be spent funding religious propaganda in our education system? Nobody's asking that atheism be forced upon everybody - rather that religion NOT be forced upon everybody. If we have our schools focus on EDUCATION, rather than on indoctrination with arbitrary religious propaganda, then everyone wins. Isn't that the whole point of school? Those of you who wish to brainwash your children with meaningless religious "teachings" are free to do so elsewhere, like at home or IN CHURCH.

• joan1954 | Oct 21, 2012, 11:07 AM EDT

  So what. He knows what the situation is as well as the rules so get a life, which, is not fair anyway. By the hermittalker, as an American I agree with your sentiments. Political correctness has gotten out of hand.

• katieherk | Oct 21, 2012, 10:58 AM EDT

  Sooooo what! Are they (we) supposed to change everything because their little feelings are hurt. Grow up and get a life!! And, Patrick, writing about their "hurties" just fans the stupid people who cannot get along in society. No mention in the media and it eventually goes away. I'm angry that the minority complainers seem to get their way. What about the majority that supposedly rules!!!

• weeknocky | Oct 21, 2012, 10:53 AM EDT

  Stop whining you nitwit!! Who the hell cares about some simpleton demanding an apology. I am really fed up with these idiots. Crying about crapola. Isn't there something more important to crab about?

• hermitTalker | Oct 21, 2012, 10:23 AM EDT

  exempt him and his like and do not follow the usual pattern in the USA; cater to them and ignore the feelings, rights and history of the majority. Works for Christmas displays, songs in State schools and babies in the womb and on and on. TAIL WAGS DOG again is the headline!

• yrrab24 | Oct 21, 2012, 10:18 AM EDT

  In our country USA we have freedom "OF RELIGION" NOT freedom "FROM" religion. There is no guarantee you won't be exposed to religion. In fact my question is ---isn't this a student? Students are exposed to MANY things they may or may NOT agree with. Is that not the point to education? Having information so you can make up your own mind latter in life. While a student he needs to shut up sit down and listen ---with lots less complaining.

• mairint | Oct 21, 2012, 10:18 AM EDT

  Who cares. Just an opportunity to squeeze unearned money from the taxpayer. Patrick, you have another whining successor lined up for your job. As they say, 'paper never refuses ink' and with nothing drastic to write about you had to do some hen scratching to find this one. Pathetic journalism.

• mairint | Oct 21, 2012, 10:10 AM EDT

  ...and Patrick, tell us, did attending the prayers actually kill him?? What a lot of gibberish just to whine again against God Almighty. You will rue the days you have spent propagating anti Chritian gossip. When its all over He will not know you..........

• gordongoblin | Oct 21, 2012, 10:06 AM EDT

  Hard to defend forcing kids to attend a "non denominational" prayer service for "all religions" (so long as those relgions worship Jesus). Things like this are the shame of modern Ireland, we should be better than this. Keep your prayers for church.

• Silling | Oct 21, 2012, 10:05 AM EDT

  There are only 80 people living on the Venetian island of " Torcello " and I read recently an article by an Irish travel writer where he referred to them as " Eighty-ists ". Perhaps Nathan Young could go an live there.

• JimmieM | Oct 21, 2012, 10:00 AM EDT

  Ahhh...the poor little whining, miserable little thing ...I think the tax payers should give it a couple million dollars for the horrible experience it was put through

• BrianO | Oct 21, 2012, 09:39 AM EDT

  A budding journalist for IC. Really who cares, let the boy stay in a room by himself and study.