Public displays of piety, as well as evangelism, are not something I promote or participate in.
Ben Stein just struck a nerve with that commentary. (below) 
I could care less what religion people participate in, as long as SOMEONE is teaching our kids right from wrong.

I think Ben Stein too readily uses religion to make his point, or at least IMHO.

Rampant materialism, celebrity worship, electronic goodies out the wazoo (what's a wazoo?), a completely inflated sense of entitlement, these are a few things I see that bothers me with today's pop culture.

Nobody teaches many of our kids the things that used to keep families and communities together. Just the opposite. Look at what passes for "cool" these days. Shameful, much of it. And we've literally bought into this.

Submitted for your (dis)approval:

THE AMERICAN DREAM IS DESTROYING US!

Do we need 3 or 4 vehicles, as many TV's, cell phones, boats, toys toys toys, SUV's, DVD's, Iphones, unatural gadgets stuck in every ear, and cheap-ass plastic crap from China...EVERYWHERE! AAAAAARGH...WE'RE POISONING OUR KIDS (our future) FOR CHEAP PLASTIC SHIT FROM FOREIGN SHORES! (why don't we make our own cheap plastic crap?)

OK....feeling better now. My point is, our kids only value the wrong things. Cell phones, Facebook bullying, and video games are much more "cool" than having close, caring friends in todays pop culture. And pop culture has become a much stronger influence today through "media as baby-sitters".

I'm not advocating forced religion, just good parenting. ~Tracy~