Imagine, if you will, a devout Jew and his family at a high school football game. Imagine that their son is playing. Or imagine that one of their children is in the band, a more serious thing for a child pursuing a musical education because attendence at performances is a mandatory part of the grade.

Up in the stands, we hear, "And now bow your heads as Reverend Joe Blow from Calvary Baptist Church says the invocation."

"Dear Lord, we ask your protection for our players here today, blah blah blah blah... In Jesus's name we pray. Amen."

Now, why the hell should a Jewish kid, or for that matter a kid from any non-Christian family, have to put up with someone else including him or her in a prayer to a deity that he or she does not accept? (In the case of the Jewish kid, it's no less than idolatry to worship a human being! But that's OK, I suppose, because they're "only Jews".) It would be different if the kid's attendence were not required, or if the event were not paid for using money coming from taxpayers who are not all Christian either.

I suppose non-Christians should consider themselves lucky. After all, in the past they would have been stoned or burned to death! How far we have come, that they only need to suppress their religious identities so that the majority can use their power to express their religion as an extension of public policy.

Several years ago, a group of parents in a neighboring school district became very vocal when high school Homecoming was scheduled during Rosh Hoshana, the Jewish High Holy Days. Of course, their children had to choose between the heart of their religion and a very important school activity. Instead of being understanding and attempting to reschedule the event, do you know what the Christian majority did? They accused the Jewish families of being troublemakers and malcontents, and refused to cooperate. By contrast, no major school activities have ever been scheduled over Christmas. No school activities at all are scheduled over Christmas. Tell me how fair, how respectful of freedom, how tolerant the religious majority is. I'll try to keep a straight face, but it won't be easy. Don't you dare tell me how your speech has been oppressed just because you can't have your way all the time.

It's easy for the majority to be free. They hold most of the cards. It's also easy to be tolerant of those like ourselves. I suggest you remember that the next time some Christian is treated shabbily in a non-Christian part of the world.