Ceremonial Deism

An Illinois atheist, Robert Sherman, doesn't like a new law, The Student Prayer Act that requires a period of prayer at the start of every school day.

In each public school classroom the teacher in charge shall observe a period of silence ... shall be an opportunity for silent prayer or for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day.

Sherman is suing the legislature and Governor of Illinois (as well as his daughter's school, principal and teacher saying

What we object to is Christians passing a law that requires the public school teacher to stop teaching during instructional time, paid for by the taxpayers, so that Christians can pray.

Ceremonial Deists say: What are we paying our taxes for if not to provide an opportunity for children to pray in schools? We can't think of a better place for prayer than a public school.

Rather than start frivolous lawsuits challenging silly laws, Illinois atheists would do better to just go with the flow. Send your imaginary prayers to an imaginary God or, for maximum subversion, spend your 15 seconds imagining your classmates - and your teacher - in the nude.

Be sure to let your teacher know the subject of your silent contemplation!