Religious freedom group targets Ga. high school coach
By David Purdum / For the AJC
A Georgia high school football coach is being targeted for his team’s religious practices by a non-profit organization that aims to protect the separation between state and church.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a complaint to Walker County Schools Tuesday, accusing Ridgeland High School coach Mark Mariakis of multiple violations of the First Amendment.
The allegations against Mariakis include:
–Holding pre-game meals at a local church, where a “preacher sermonizes to the players about the Christian religion.”
–Pressuring players to attend a Christian football camp that the players must pay for.
–Leading pre- and post-game prayers.
–Using bible verses on team gear and in motivational speeches.
–Taking the team to a Mormon church and afterwards making fun on the religion within the proximity of Mormon players.
The FFRH concludes the complaint by requesting Walker County Schools investigate and take immediate action to stop the violations. Read the entire complaint here.
Emails to Mariakis, Ridgeland principal Glen Brown and Walker County superintendent Damon Raines were not immediately returned. Walker County Schools confirmed reception of the complaint in released statement.
Mariakis, who survived brain cancer in 2008-2009, is entering his ninth season at Ridgeland. He is 52-36. The Panthers open their season Friday at No. 1 Calhoun.
Update: A Facebook page titled “Support Coach Mariakis” has been created and had nearly 1,400 likes as of Thursday afternoon.
Update: Walker County Schools Superintendent Danny Raines is attending a conference in Macon and will be out of the office until Monday, according to office administrator Janet Cobb. No other comment on the complaint against Mariakis is expected to be released today.
A message left on Mariakis’ cell phone Thursday afternoon was not immediately returned.
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241 comments Add your comment
HardHat
August 23rd, 2012
3:28 pm
@FFRF I swear to God I am an atheist…..God in the public schools has been replaced by police, metal detectors and weapons….It is very sad the times we live in today…. You have to laugh or else you will just cry.
Jim Mora, Sr
August 23rd, 2012
3:28 pm
Truth Speaker, your name does not suit you. I’m all for this coach and what he’s doing. The Supreme Court has changed the application of separation of chuch and state to suit its liberal agenda.
Joe
August 23rd, 2012
3:28 pm
Hankie, the consequences are that you receive the insults you mentioned which started this segment of the conversation. Thats all. I don’t condemn your soul to hell like you do others.
Grief, I graduated from Drexel University. Live in a 4200 square foot home, a wonderful wife and two grown responsible adult children. Debt free. No gods, no christs. Just hard work. Sorry you had to pay a god for all your “blessings”.
dilberth
August 23rd, 2012
3:30 pm
Hankie: And nothing in between.
Joe
August 23rd, 2012
3:34 pm
I don’t have to “do” anything to “figure it out”. dawg. I’m raising my kids to be good responsible citizens, and provide a home and family (married 30 years now) to provide stability in their lives and the lives of my grandchildren when they come. My life has meaning and purpose without the god of unicorns and dragons, ghosts and satans, christ characters and sea moinsters. Try it, it’s incredibly liberating.
I’d like my grandchildren to be able to think for themselves as they grow up and not be intimidated into believing in the monster gods of the christianities.
Good Grief
August 23rd, 2012
3:34 pm
Joe – Where are you getting that I “had” to pay for my blessings? I have given voluntarily. I was never forced in any way to pay for the blessings of God. If you choose not to believe, that’s fine. That is your call to make. I’m happy for you. Doesn’t make you better or worse than I.
And with that, i have to leave. It’s been a real blast discussing this today, though. Have a good afternoon everyone. God bless.
Stay Away from the Koolaid
August 23rd, 2012
3:46 pm
People should keep their mythology beliefs to themselves. Government funded organizations and locations are not the place for performing religious practices. Forcing this on other people is wrong and does violate the Constitution.
If this coach was Muslim, would all the Protestants on here still be fighting for him? Of course not, just look at the simpleton response when a Mosque is built.
If believing in fairy tales makes you feel better about your existence, more power to you. But, leave that delusion at home and your church.
kaput
August 23rd, 2012
3:50 pm
Peer pressure is a terrible thing. Statistics would imply that there are several members of that team that don’t believe in God, why should they be subjected to everyone’s religion?
What if most of the people in that particular town were Muslims, I wonder how the debate would change.
dilberth
August 23rd, 2012
3:51 pm
I’m quite certain that Mary, late of the Bible, whom arguably possessed the most famous birth canal in all of Christianity, would be incensed that some coach was using her son as a pretext to win football games. Mr. Christ himself would probably denounce this coach as merely a masquerade and as a show of piety on his part and nothing else.
Joe
August 23rd, 2012
3:53 pm
Thanks Koolaid and kaput. It’s been real gents, gotta go. Olive Garden tonite for dinner. Yum!
demetris spivey (real name)
August 23rd, 2012
3:57 pm
everyone has an pov…just so happens some1 has 2 b right…christanity is the only, i say again only truth…if u believe in something else, “ur lost”…if u don’t believe the bible is the complete truth..u havent read it..there is no way a man/men wrote it…ask urself “if there is a god”..why would he have all these different dogmas???? christanity says christ is the son of god, savior of man, islam says god dosent have a son, buddist pray 2 a statue (that a man made)…but we “all” pray 2 the same god??? yeah right…do ur research people..there’s a reason “they” say don’t discuss religion…so the truth can’t get out…i love all who love christ…and the 1’s that don’t..ill pray 4 you
…last but not least..all religions where started by a man/woman…….not christanity…once again people DO UR RESEARCH!!!! ISAIAH 14:12-18
….The devils plan………….
CoffeeC100
August 23rd, 2012
4:00 pm
How ’bout them Dawgs?
Stay Away from the Koolaid
August 23rd, 2012
4:04 pm
Demetris, the bible you read was written by humans and translated and edited many times before the version you are reading was finalized. These stories described their current events in allegory format.
The delusional thought that ‘your way is the only way’ is the reason so many people die. It is the same ideological nonsense that your rant and rave about Islamic terrorists.
there is no god
August 23rd, 2012
4:04 pm
religion is so over rated
there is no god
August 23rd, 2012
4:05 pm
god is like santa claus for adults
Plowboy - Viking
August 23rd, 2012
4:05 pm
Love how a few people say that they won’t their kids to be open minded and free thinkers….I think liberals have a weak brain/ narrow mind (it’s a song)
dilberth
August 23rd, 2012
4:06 pm
Demitrius: The only thing true about christianity is that it is false.
Plowboy - Viking
August 23rd, 2012
4:06 pm
Want
Plowboy - Viking
August 23rd, 2012
4:07 pm
Dilbert …. U my friend will find out one day
macrotech
August 23rd, 2012
4:12 pm
I’m a Christian and I believe that everyone in the United States of America has the right to find their own beliefs and express those beliefs in a manner that adheres with the laws of our governing body. While I share the belief of this coach, I don’t think that his position permits him to do all the things he’s been doing. If he prays on his own and players join in, then that’s fine. If players feel that they MUST join him in order to play on the team he coaches, then that’s out of line. Even God (I subscribe to Free Will) gives us a choice…I don’t think the coach is bigger than God. If he influences a player by his actions as a Christian, I applaud him. If his influence happens by mandate…it is an illusion that will fade the moment the last game is played.
Joe, I respect your thoughts as it’s obvious that you’ve invested a great deal of time into them. It wouldn’t be difficult to think that you might be a spokesperson for an atheistic campaign. Of course, you and I could play ‘devil’s advocate’ with each other in regards to our beliefs…but, I’m confident that I won’t convince you and I assure you that you’d fail in your efforts to sway me. I confess, I giggled a little when you shared that Christians use their faith as a crutch…last time I heard that was when Gov. Jesse Ventura made the same claim…isn’t he chasing ufos now?
To ALL the Christians that are reading the comments on this blog…because it is our faith, wouldn’t it be a better use of our time praying for a Divine intervention in this as opposed to debating who is right and who is wrong? An important question was asked, “If this coach was forcing his Muslim beliefs on these players….?”….this is a genuine question that we might have to deal with someday. If we were to answer this honestly, we’d be as riled up as the opponents of this coach. Pray people….just pray! There WILL be a time when we’ll ALL know who is right and who is wrong….of course, by that time the debate will be as useless as the time it took us to comment on a blog. Blessings!
Hankie Aron
August 23rd, 2012
4:13 pm
Joe- If that is the condequences, um yeah that really hurt. I don’t condemn non-believers to a real hell. God does. I am just the messenger
macrotech
August 23rd, 2012
4:14 pm
Wow…my post didn’t look that long when I was typing…my apologies
Hankie Aron
August 23rd, 2012
4:16 pm
macrotech- I have come to your realization. All we can do is pray for non-believers
Hankie Aron
August 23rd, 2012
4:18 pm
Good Grief if you are still out there. Thanks for the good points.
Truth Speaker
August 23rd, 2012
4:25 pm
Jim Mora, Sr. – So you’re telling me the Supreme Court has had a liberal agenda since 1787? Justices Jay, Marshall, etc. were such raging liberals.
Jim Mora Sr. – did you know the Conservative agenda to which you subscribe would actually have been considered a Liberal agenda by the founding fathers. That all of the founders were considered “liberal” (Mora Sr.’s head explodes)
Interestingly, when did the Court get too liberal for you…Brown v. Board, Roe v. Wade, Texas v. Johnson?
dilberth
August 23rd, 2012
4:27 pm
Hankie: When you say that “all we can do is pray for “non-believers”, I think you are being disingenuous and deceptive. What you are really doing is praying against us, not for us to be happier or more fulfilled. You would like to damn us all to the ovens of your god.
James
August 23rd, 2012
4:30 pm
@Terrell – Separation of Church and State not separation of sex and state or separation of science and state. A teacher should not weigh in either way on any gods. Also, if you can’t afford it then you have the state granted right of freedom of religion to pray for the money to send your child to school. Finally, why can’t you pray with your children? Why do you feel it necessary for others to pray with them?
Hankie Aron
August 23rd, 2012
4:44 pm
dilberth- That’s crazy. I pray that you will come to the realization that you need Christ in your life. I would never wish or want hell for anyone. The thing is, it’s up to you my friend. Have a good evening.
dilberth
August 23rd, 2012
4:57 pm
Hankie: I don’t need or want any jerk-offs like your imaginary savior, a Mr. Christ, in my life. I try to stay far away from delusional parasites such as you.
You Are Not Alone
August 23rd, 2012
5:02 pm
Joe…you are not alone in your thinking. I was baptised, confirmed, and prayed daily for 20 years. Once I read the Bible, I started to search for answers to reaffirm my faith. It didn’t happen. 15 years now I have been an Atheist. It was tough to come to grips with, but I can’t tell you how much of a postiive difference it has made.
The truth is, you are wasting your time, especially on a board like this. You can point out every similarity of the pagan religion, you can provide historical documents showing how the acceptance of Christianity was a military move, and you can scream how jesus is a cookie-cutter impersonation of Horus…they just won’t get it unless they have time to seek out thier own answers.
The one thing you haven’t brought up is the direct correlation between standard of living and secularism. There is a reason the United States has the embarrassing statistics of teenage pregnancy, abortion, hate crime, high-school drop outs, etc. It is because of the presence of religion and the absolute intolerance of non-religion. As you have pointed out, the Christians themselves can’t even agree upon the same god.
Just wanted to say good luck and keep up the good fight. I tired of screaming at brick walls years ago.
Quaildawg
August 23rd, 2012
5:04 pm
I am a Christian, I do not depend on humanisim to “fight for my rights”. Look to DC and see what you get when that happens!!! My faith is that God will deliver me, even unto death and I will not place my faith in man or man’s devices or laws. Let the courts, representatives, etc do what they want.
The Lord is greater than our feeble imaginations can wrap our minds around.
I will stand down and let the Lord do what brings glory to Him.
whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matt 10:39
dilberth
August 23rd, 2012
5:08 pm
Jesus is Lard.
Paul A. Tipton
August 23rd, 2012
5:10 pm
This organization in its attempt to fight for “separation of state and church” is totally out of bounds here and the government should throw a flag in their defense. This anti-Christian goup should be chastised rather than endorsed by the media. It is very troublesome that a small bunch like this can create so much havoc and receive so much positive press, yet when someone or group stands up for Christianity and Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Expression which are all completely Constitutional, there is “Hell to bare!” True Believers Must Stand In Unity and Let their Voices be Heard!!!……PLEASE!!!!
Coach
August 23rd, 2012
5:11 pm
The shame is the majority saying that you have to think what I think or your wierd (or wrong). I am a Christian Coach but I do believe that this way of thinking is another form of bullying. I’ve seen the kid that is scared to speak up, they are already scared to ask a question about a play let alone about their religious beliefs. A moment of silence on one knee servers the same purpose. It allows everyone on the team to say a prayer. Its not about offending some one as we can see from the responses if the shoe was on the other foot this would be another fight for the holy land! Respect each other!
Labyrinth
August 23rd, 2012
5:12 pm
The state should protect liberty; that’s its only acceptable function. But it should remain humble in doing so, and be constrained in such a way that it is forced to be humble.
– Pierre Lemieux
Quaildawg
August 23rd, 2012
5:15 pm
“There is a reason the United States has the embarrassing statistics of teenage pregnancy, abortion, hate crime, high-school drop outs, etc. It is because of the presence of religion and the absolute intolerance of non-religion.”
Seriously???
How about 80% of all households in US do not have the same biological parents in the home or have only one parent to lead the home. This is not a socio-economic issue. Whether you are the wealthiest or the poorest it is a fact.
Missing leaders within the home are a far greater culprit not to mention a society driven by greed and self indulgence.
Jamey Tucker
August 23rd, 2012
5:22 pm
Let the Walker County School System decide what they want at the local level.
Quaildawg
August 23rd, 2012
5:26 pm
historical documents showing how the acceptance of Christianity was a military move..
that’s another good one!!!
I guess when Jesus was crucified by the Roman’s that was the greatest “trick play” of all time. Guess He had the last laugh on the “Mighty Roman Empire” and to think he “Military move(d)” it over them by dying.
Coach
August 23rd, 2012
5:29 pm
@ Quaildawg _ I dont think that has anything to do with the issue. Do other religion preach single parent house holds. Believe in something and hold fast with your belief’s but as we all know dont you hate when your doorbell rings and it either those ladies combing your neighborhood or those boys on the bikes. They are invading your space and telling you the way you believe isnt right! Who are they to tell me that My GOD is the wrong GOD and Jesus doesnt exsist. But its ok for us to tell the young impressionable boy that he believes the wrong thing! Come on think about your argument. You cant tell me I’m wrong for the way I believe but I can tell you!! The same defensiveness that all of you are feeling is the same thing the other religions (or denominations) are feeling but they arent in the majority so they dont want to stand out or stand up!
Triple Lindy
August 23rd, 2012
5:45 pm
First off, let me say I have a problem with the idea of public schools preaching God or politics within learning hours, keep that in private schools. That being said, if the FFRF had any legal ground to stand on they’d find a plaintiff and take the thing to court, but ultimately, football is a voluntary, extra curricular activity. The team can do what they want and they have the actual constitutional right to. The FFRF just does this as a scare tactic and to get free copy in newspapers which means more recognition and most importantly, donations.
Chris Walraven
August 23rd, 2012
5:50 pm
They need to sue the city of Calhoun as well. The high school doubles as a church on Sundays. WE ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN NATION!!! We have freedom of and FROM religion, keep it where it belongs, in a church.
A father
August 23rd, 2012
5:56 pm
Joe, I hope everything is going well for you. Please do not judge all christians based on what you have apparently experienced with some so called christians. The world is full of fakes or people who claim to be christian but have no clue what a being real christian is even about. We are all unworhty and no matter what we say or think or tell someone we are all just sinners. This is not exclusive to anyone.
I would never try to force my beliefs on someone, simply because that does not work. Our forefathers knew this and that is why there is not a national religion in the good ole US of A. What I try to do and encourage my children to do is to be open minded enough to listen to anyone that wishes to share their beliefs but grounded enough to hold to their beliefs and share them as well. We cannot make anyone believe what we do about the bible or anything else all we can do is share what we have been taught and leave the rest to GOD.
God Bless You and have a nice day.
Quaildawg
August 23rd, 2012
5:58 pm
Coach-Pardner,
I’m not telling you to believe anything. Just like the Rich Young Ruler you may “turn and walk away”. Jesus, for as much as He loved him, didn’t run after him and try to convince him to follow him.
that decision is for each of us. And I don’t and won;t hold judgement on anyone on these pages if they choose likewise.
Coach
August 23rd, 2012
6:05 pm
But isnt that coach doing that by having a captive audiance to express his views? A Jewish kid wants to play football at that school. Does he go against his religion by saying the Lords Prayer (at least in my church) … in Jesus name, Amen?
J. Sims
August 23rd, 2012
6:17 pm
Coach Mariakis appears to be a nice man doing some good work in the community. He is just misguided about some things. For those of you who haven’t studied much law and history, please google “separation of church and state” to see why sanctioned prayer at school is against the law. It’s against the law any place in the United States, including Georgia
Strange Murphy
August 23rd, 2012
6:25 pm
Freedom From Religion Foundation people are nothing more then common bullies.
Chris Walraven
August 23rd, 2012
6:32 pm
No, the coaching staff are the bullies…brainwashing impressionable youth. Very disturbing.
Dawg Runner
August 23rd, 2012
7:16 pm
Tell those Wisconsin Yankees to keep to themselves. Otherwise we’ll send Roy Mercer up there to deal with ‘em!
Northwest
August 23rd, 2012
7:59 pm
Enter your comments here
jerry
August 23rd, 2012
8:00 pm
The Founding Fathers knew what they were doing by keeping the Church separated from the State. Let’s keep it that way.