Dear Abby: To continue the argument concerning prayer in school, and the actions of a school district in firing a principal who violated a rule banning it: I believe the principal should, indeed, have been disciplined, in whatever manner the superintendent and school board saw fit. Not for calling for school prayer per se, but for violating a school ordinance and, in this case, a federal law.
As for prayer in school, I should like to see a few minutes set aside for silent prayer. The word "silent" is important because prayers recited aloud are sure to offend some member of the class whose religions call for a different kind of prayer from the one being recited.When there is silent prayer, the pupil may or may not pray, as he or she chooses, but has the option of praying without offending anyone and with great satisfaction to him or herself - and, I would venture to guess, the Lord, as well.
- Caroline K. in Los Angeles
Dear Caroline: I received a flood of mail about my answer regarding the issue of school prayer - some favorable, others critical. Read on:
Dear Abby: I was appalled by the answer you gave Gary Buchanan of Monson, Mass., concerning the school principal who was fired for allowing prayer in school. You said you sided with the board of education.
I thought you were a citizen concerned with gang violence and all of its innocent victims.
Mr. Buchanan didn't stipulate what type of prayer should be allowed. Perhaps the principal allowed for a moment of silence for all to pray as they saw fit or not to pray, if that was their preference. Not bothering to find out, you arbitrarily sided with the school board. Shame on you, Abby. I thought you were more objective than that. Prayer is preferable to guns and knives, any way you look at it!
This will probably never make your column, but at least I hope you are aware of the poor taste you exhibited.
- Char Laroque, Loyal Tacoma Reader
Dear Char: I can think of no one in this country who is not concerned about gang violence and its effect on the innocents caught in the crossfire. But it defies logic to conclude that the solution to this complex social problem is as simple as a moment of prayer in school.
In conclusion: IF the principal about whom Mr. Buchanan wrote had allowed a moment for all to offer a silent prayer, I'd have had no complaint; however, he still would have violated a federal law.
Dear Abby: I am a 15-year-old male sophomore with mid-length hair that goes every way except where I want it to go. I wet it down and carry a comb, but it dries and curls again within the hour. I have long since given up on the idea of growing long hair.
But the most aggravating part of my problem is my mother. She comes up to me, reaches way up (I'm 6 foot 2 and she's 5 foot 1), grabs a wad of curls and calls me "Curly Top." I have told her it drives me nuts and asked her to stop, but she won't.
Mothers should leave their kids' hair alone as long as it doesn't look like a bird's nest.
- Don't Muss With Me
Dear Don't Muss With Me: A session with a hairstylist might help you tame your unruly curls. And there are products on the market that can help control your hair - but, alas, not your mother.
To receive a collection of Abby's most memorable - and most frequently requested - poems and essays, send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby's "Keepers," P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)
1995 Universal Press Syndicate
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CROSSROADS
All of the Dear Abby columns since 1988 are available online. Search for "DEAR ABBY" in the Lifestyle section and the Deseret News archives.