With all the serious problems facing cities and towns in Rhode Island, I'm amazed at how a rather small "problem" can garner so much attention.  In Cranston, a parent was appalled when she entered the auditorium at Cranston West High School and found a prayer .  She was so troubled by this incident, that she contacted the ACLU, which then contacted the city, trying to find a solution.  Of course, while this is going on, important matters (like education) aren't being addressed.

     As someone who has little use for religion, I don't take much interest in prayers, but also don't find offense in them.  This is particularly true of the prayer on display at Cranston West.  Here's the full text:

“Our Heavenly Father,

Grant us each day the desire to do our best,

To grow mentally and morally as well as physically,

To be kind and helpful to our classmates and teachers,

To be honest with ourselves as well as with others,

Help us to be good sports and smile when we lose as well as when we win,

Teach us the value of true friendship,

Help us always to conduct ourselves so as to bring credit to Cranston High School West.

Amen.”

    
     How dare "they" make an attempt to indoctrinate those children by telling them to be good sports and do their best!  How dare they!  Ok, I'm finished.  No matter how hard I try, I just can't get worked up about this prayer, and I use that term loosely.  Get rid of "Our Heavenly Father" and "Amen", and there's nothing at all religious about the statement being made.  Plus, by eliminating the reference to "Heavenly Father", you also avoid legal action from the National Organization of Women (just kidding ladies).

     My solution is a simple one.  Put white tape over the first and last lines, then purchase a book about hobbies for the parent who filed the complaint.  She obviously has too much time on her hands.