Okay we have debated dress code for most of the class today. I sympathize with and fully understand an atheist's point of view. Even the outspoken guy behind me. Because I used to be atheist. He doesn't want to be forced to fund and send his children to school slathered in religion. To an atheist all religion is childish superstition. They believe prayer is no more effective than talking to yourself and it's all the same, paganism, islam, judaism, christianity or just worshipping the stars, the sun the moon whatever. If i thought religious people were basically crazy I wouldn't be inclined to send my children to schools were the crazy people dress up crazy. Just because we aren't atheists doesn't mean that we can't or shouldn't sympathise with those people with no religion just as we can bridge the gap and tolerate those of other faiths we should at least all be sympathetic to another's lack of tolerance for what they deem to be superstitous and irrational behavior. I think that schools should have the freedom to enforce dress codes. But not any federal or even state standards, just specific standards from school to school. At my son's school he must wear a collored shirt. I think that the way they dress up lends a more formal enviroment to learning and that, I believe can be more conducive to both classroom discipline and learning. I would in fact be offended if a ton of people were dressed up in Muslim clothing at my son's Christian school. I pay good money for his education (though most of the expenses are paid for by others via a scholarship) We chose to send our son to an Orthodox private school to both narrow his socialization and broaden his education. I too do not want my child heavily exposed to islam, atheism, buhdism, or any other religion. I don't mind him having brief exposure with other religions and other cultures but, just as I am focusing very intently on his fluency in English due to the fact that I live in America, I am also focusing heavily on his understanding and practice of Christianity. He comes from a Christian family and we truly believe Jesus Christ is Lord and we follow his teachings. I do not aspire to impose my beliefs on others, partly because neither Jesus nor the Apostles ever forced their religion on anyone else. This is a big part of what makes Christianity unique, Jesus was a pacifist and he loved everyone showing us a perfect example of how to live. But peoople aren't and never will be perfect. I can't rely on this so called Christian nation to teach our son Christian values. Without a thorough understanding of Biblical teachings he won't know not to judge others, to love thy enemies, to love god, the sacraments and so on. We keep electing Christian President's yet rarely do any of them act like Christ. We are blessed in a unique way. Connery's education is provided to him by taxpayer funded scholarship. Georgia residents who so chose under GA law are given the option of donating money to an education fund instead of paying the same amount in state taxes. In effect I almost get a voucher system (we are more than lucky but blessed mind you) thanx to the generosity of others I am able to choose the education that's right for us. All the Edwards guy sitting behind me was saying was that his choice is being infringed upon. He feels the religion is silly superstition and he doesn't want his kids raised around it. His proposed solution was asanine, however because you cannot protect your freedom by limiting the freedoms of another. I propose dude and anyone else who wants to should have choices as to what school to send their kids, we need atheists schools too, muslim schools and as many other schools as it would take to give more freedom to our people. Education should be publically funded but lets scratch this one size fits all approach, because one size never fits everyone.