He made the observation,
Like Tommy, I do not recall ever hearing a prayer or Scripture reading over a school intercom or pubic address system. But, then, I do not recall if our elementary schools and high school in Sheffield even had an intercom or public address system. To the best of my knowledge, I do not recall ever hearing an intercom announcement. But, I was in elementary school in the 1940s and at Sheffield High from 1951 to 1955. Possibly, we did not even have an public address system at that time.
But, if we did have a public address system during those days -- I do not believe it would have been appropriate to have prayer and Scripture reading over the PA system. We were in school to be taught Reading-Riting-Rithmetic; not religion. However, I do recall, with very warm feelings, the weekly assembly meetings where we always had a local clergy speak with the student body. And, no one complained -- not even the non-believers such as I was then -- or even the atheists, if we had any.
Each week, a local clergy would come to speak with us. The local Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish clergy took turns. And, the one most memorable and most enjoyed by we students was very likely the Jewish rabbi. He had a great sense of humor -- telling us, since we could not pronounce his name, "Just call me Rabbi Rubber Band." His name sounded something like that -- so, he made it easy for us to remember him -- and his messages.
Even though I was not a Christian believer then; the teachings I learned in those assemblies have stuck with me over the years -- even when I did not notice. Christian teachings at this vulnerable stage of life for young people can change the future course of life for many young people.
This reminds me of a thought I had today -- of how habits learned at a young age, tend to stay with us throughout life. At the age of 17, I went into the Air Force. One thing we were taught in the Air Force was to consistently do things the right way, i.e., when we had clothing hung, it had to be done so neatly; when we had wash cloths and towels hung -- they had to be squared as they hung. Even to this day, when I see a wash cloth or a towel hung crookedly -- I cannot resist squaring it up, making it straight.
Another reaction learned from my high school days, which came to mind today: If I am home alone and have to go to the restroom; I will always check to see that the front door is locked first. It is a habit I cannot seem to break. Why do I have this form of insecurity? When I was a student at Sheffield High, there was a real "chip on the shoulder" attitude between the boys from Sheffield High and the boys from Coffee High. At that time the only high school in Florence was Coffee. So, this attitude of "we're tougher than you" existed between SHS and CHS boys.
One evening I was in Florence and before hitch-hiking back to Sheffield, stopped in the Youth Center which was on the east side of Court Street across from where the Holiday Inn hotel used to be. I went into the restroom -- and while sitting there, suddenly the door flew open and a Florence boy demanded that we go outside and fight. Feeling somewhat at a disadvantage as I sat there -- I asked if we could hold off until I had finished my paper work. He went outside to wait for me -- but, before I could exit, another Sheffield boy, my classmate, George Dixon, showed up and their fight took precedence over mine.
While I know it is silly -- even to this day, more that half a century later -- if I am home alone I cannot comfortably go into the restroom without first checking the front door. I guess mentally I can still see that Florence boy bursting into the room.
That is the negative side of learned reactions. Now, apply this to the positive side, learned reactions to the Word of God -- and you have a positive reason for having God brought back into our public school system. Learned habits last a lifetime; and learned positive lessons also last a lifetime. The time to start making sure our children learn the right positive lessons is today.
So, while I would resist prayer and Scripture reading over a public address system in schools -- I most certainly do pray for and earnestly desire to see God invited back into our public school system. He has been evicted far too long -- as rising incidences of teen pregnancies, STDs, drive-by shootings, and other forms of teen unrest will attest. Yes, our young people need to see and hear God in our public schools today.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill Gray
