Forced to lead prayer in school.

[Keenhazard]

I am an Atheist. I need some advice, how can I handle my teacher whenever she assigns me to lead a prayer in class? I am really annoyed by it. She doesn't know I'm an Atheist. It has been a tradition in our country to pray before starting a class. My teacher is strict, So I'm worried about getting embarrassed or scolded in class if I tell her that I'm an Athiest.

[Fruity]

I am an Atheist. I need some advice, how can I handle my teacher whenever she assigns me to lead a prayer in class? I am really annoyed by it. She doesn't know I'm an Atheist. It has been a tradition in our country to pray before starting a class. My teacher is strict, So I'm worried about getting embarrassed or scolded in class if I tell her that I'm an Athiest.

What country are you in and what grade level in school?

[pocaracas]

Where in the world is it ok to start a class with a prayer? middle east? Bible belt?

[Psykhronic]

It's not technically allowed even in the Bible Belt, I'm really curious to see where Keen is from.

[Keenhazard]

What country are you in and what grade level in school?

Philippines, College level. How can I handle my teacher?.

[Psykhronic]

Ohh Philippines, that explains it. I know that country really took hold of Christiany-God-things. You could ask your teacher to respect your beliefs, perhaps even in private, and if she does not let you avoid taking prayer lead then lead the prayer while saying such things as "I pray to a God that probably does not exist that one day we all shall be respected for our beliefs or lack thereof."

[Esquilax]

Philippines, College level. How can I handle my teacher?.

Is the tradition to pray to a specific god? Because if it's not, I can happily provide you a list. I think praying to a sequence of old gods would do the trick, but then, I'm a principled bastard like that.

Otherwise, I understand the desire to avoid being singled out for your beliefs, but I can only suggest that you look around, see what's there, in your own situation, and ask yourself what you stand to lose or gain by coming out of the atheist-closet. Only you can really decide whether or not to take that step, or whether you're even comfortable with it.

Right now, we don't really have enough information to give you an unqualified recommendation here. Obviously you'd have a lot of support here if you did, but if there's any danger of consequence I'd say just politely decline.

[Psykhronic]

Esqu is right, weigh the consequences as well. Sometimes there is no other choice but to remain in the closet :/

[pocaracas]

College?
Now for the cherry on top.... physics class?

What a bunch of retarded people.... -.-'
Yeah, go with Esq... be careful, retarded people can still hurt you.

[Marvin]

I like this one.

CHAPLAIN: Let us praise God. O Lord,...

CONGREGATION: O Lord,...

CHAPLAIN: ...ooh, You are so big,...

CONGREGATION: ...ooh, You are so big,...

CHAPLAIN: ...so absolutely huge.

CONGREGATION: ...so absolutely huge.

CHAPLAIN: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.

CONGREGATION: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.

CHAPLAIN: Forgive us, O Lord, for this, our dreadful toadying, and...

CONGREGATION: And barefaced flattery.

CHAPLAIN: But You are so strong and, well, just so super.

CONGREGATION: Fantastic.

HUMPHREY: Amen.

CONGREGATION: Amen.