No more on running through Scripture on football Friday
Catoosa County in far northwest Georgia has become the site of the latest skirmish in the war over religion in public schools.
For six years or so, cheerleaders at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School have painted elaborate paper banners, adorned with Bible verses, through which football players have dashed at the outset of games.
For instance, recently, from Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me in Christ Jesus.”
After receiving a complaint, the Catoosa County school system cracked down. Reported the Chattanooga Times Free Press:
A school system statement released Monday said the message constitutes “a violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution for signs with Bible verses to be displayed on the football field.”
Those offended included the Rev. Brad Scott, a Republican activist who was LFO High’s class president in 2004 — and who sent us the above photo, plus some others. A Facebook page has been established.
Several hundred protestors gathered last night. According, again, to the Times Free Press:
State Rep. Jay Neal, R-LaFayette, challenged the crowd to bring religious signs Friday night to put up in an area designated for the displays outside the school’s football stadium. And Rep. Neal urged people to display them in the stands as citizens and supporters of the LFO cheerleaders and football team.
“Our Founding Fathers had one thing in mind when they founded this country, and it was a Christian nation built upon the principles of Jesus Christ,” Mr. Neal said.
School Superintendent Denia Reese has defended herself:
“Personally, I appreciate this expression of their Christian values. However, as superintendent I have the responsibility of protecting the school district from legal action by groups who do not support their beliefs,” Mrs. Reese stated Monday in a release.
The incident has attracted the attention of Bill Nigut, southeast regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, who sent Reese a letter of support.
Read the entire message here, but this is the gist:
The Anti-Defamation League commends you for making the hard decision to uphold the First Amendment to the Constitution by banning the traditional practice of cheerleaders displaying religious messages on signs at the football games. We recognize that this has created controversy in your community; however, we believe you have done the right thing….
ADL believes deeply in the importance of safeguarding freedom of religion in our increasingly pluralistic nation. This position is not one of hostility toward religion; rather, it reflects a profound respect for religious freedom and recognition of the extraordinary diversity of religions represented by the students and staff in our public schools.
It is essential that high school sports programs keep in mind that the children entrusted to your care likely have widely divergent religious points of view. Your decision shows respect for this diversity.
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86 comments Add your comment
david
October 1st, 2009
5:35 pm
THE BANNERS DO NOT VIOLATE THE 1ST AMMENDMENT, TAKING AWAY THE BANNERS VIOLATES THE 1ST AMMENDMENT. IT HAS BEEN TRIED IN COURT TIME AND TIME AGAIN, STUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO EPRESS THEIR VIEWS. IT IS NOT A CASE OF RELIGION OR EVEN WHAT IS ON THE BANNER, IT IS A CASE OF STUDENT RIGHTS. I THINK IT IS A SHAME THAT ONE OR TWO PEOPLE CAN RUIN A TRADITION THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE ION THIS TOWN SUPPORT. WAIT UNTIL TOMOROW NIGHT AND YOU WILL SEE HOW THE TOWN FEELS.
david
October 1st, 2009
5:48 pm
TO RETIREDDS: NOTHING IS HIGHER OR LOWER IN WHAT GOD PAYS ATTENTION TO.GOD PAYS ATTENTION TO ALL THINGS,BIG OR SMALL ALL ASPECTS OF HIS CHILDRENS LIVES ARE IMPORTANT TO HIM!
Joel Rosenthal
October 1st, 2009
6:43 pm
David, if you understood what America was all about, you’d know that the Constitution is there to protect the minority. Majorities apply only in elections and votes in the legislatures. For the rest of you who insist that this is a Christian nation, you’re wrong. The entire purpose of this nation is to be for all its citizens. Yes, many of our ideals came from Christianity, which is great. Christianity has a lot of great ideals.
typee
October 1st, 2009
8:05 pm
Enter your comments here Hey Bubba, would you want to hear the Koran in those hallowed halls? I guess secularism does lead to drug abuse and unwanted pregnancies, but we will just have to follow along until separation of church and state is erased and you have complete tyranny of the majority church. This is what the founding fathers were about you big sweet dumbo. Heard of the Spanish Inquisition? The Protestant reformation? The Waldensians? I am sure the good people of Georgia feel like they are supporting Christianity, when they actually mock it or cause others to do so. They forget, or never have know their own history and how many people died to get rid of the “tyranny of Rome.” Yet you people in the South trivialize the great reformers by running football players through verse placards. You should be ashamed. The politicians who encourage this idiotic behavior are the epitome of cynicism.
allan registos
October 2nd, 2009
12:08 am
@Mike:”We first have to agree on the definition of “religion.” Personally, I think that the belief in a deity is a requirement for something to be considered a religion. Since atheist do not believe in deities, atheism is not a religion”
Sometimes, one belief system(Atheism) can be called religion if it competes with another, especially by attacking another religion or try to prohibit exercising other religion forcibly. Budhism on the other hand do not believe in a supreme being but still it was called a religion, but more peaceful than that of Atheism. Atheism becomes a religion when it tries to promote itself in the competition of values/ideas/philosophy along with Christianity.
JohnPaul
October 2nd, 2009
7:19 am
RGB:
Sorry about the afterthought post, but something else about your response was bothering me that I forgot to touch on.
“JohnPaul uses the facile technique of asserting that a person presenting historical facts is “attacking” someone, thereby hoping to put that person on the defensive.”
This is again a complete misinterpretation of my words and intention. In fact I have no objection to the points of history you chose to base your argument on. So, in the hopes of not being misinterpreted I will be very clear; you said the following:
“Tracy, maybe you should sell your science books, purchase a Bible and a good American history book, and begin reading. I don’t think it’s the part that you don’t understand that troubles you.”
These sentences came across condescending, combative and downright snotty. And the point of my first post was the following: I thought you were doing a fine job presenting your argument until you sunk to this level… a level on par to name calling.
I went back and read Tracy’s post. I think she was doing a good job presenting her side as well, (but ultimately sunk to a similar level with her Cheerleader one liner)… but the difference between your line and Tracy’s is this: I am pretty sure Tracy meant it for levities sake. I think you made a rash generalization about Tracy and then tried to push her around. Just like Will’s equally combative comment to you:
“While protecting your understandable anonymity, care to make public your denomination, communion, or faith in an attempt to substantiate your anti-American perspective? Willing to deny you’re Roman Catholic?”
Sorry, but I found Will’s comments very odd.
Finally, your misinterpretation of Tracy’s “brainwashing” comment is on par with you misinterpretation of my “misguided” comment. They were taken completely out of context and used against us improperly. In no way were those words used in our posts to describe the entire Christian body… or to generalize “believers” as such. Perhaps Tracy should have used a word with less negative association… like “indoctrinate”.
Anyway, since there are so many misinterpretations going on in our simple little online microcosm it stands to reason that these same misinterpretations would exist in the much more complex reality of religion and the Bible… exponentially. So again… the argument is probably moot.
Take care everyone,
-JP
JohnPaul
October 2nd, 2009
7:45 am
RBG:
Hmm… earlier this morning I posted something for you about our other point of contention (I am overseas, so I’m 6 hours ahead of you)… but alas, if didn’t post… so I want to report (you seemed very interested in hearing my response). So, will try my best to recreate:
In terms of thinking Tracy sounded more Catholic it was in regards to her opinion on the Bible, not whether one religion is “right or not”… I’m not really an all or nothing kind of guy… so… yeah, I stand by what I said.
Second, I don’t agree with you assessment that Catholicism states “Christianity is the right way.” I’d take it one step further: “Catholicism states that Catholicism is the right Christian denomination.” This is the same sentiment most Christian denominations have. Christian denominations have a very “I’m right, you’re wrong” history. I personally don’t agree with that… I don’t agree with everything the Catholic Church “mandates” or teaches… I merely said I was Catholic… not a good one.
To illustrate my issue with the whole “I’m right, you’re wrong” mentality I will address your sola scriptura argument. This isn’t a very fair argument. You are using a Protestant teaching to argue against a Catholic belief. And you are trying to argue it by using the Bible:
“Catholics argue that the Bible nowhere states that it is the only authoritative guide for faith and practice.”
This is a retaliatory argument for when people say, “Hey Catholic… why do you do that? It’s not in the Bible”. The true point dates back in history, which I know you like. The Catholic Church claims its start from the apostles, when it was a street religion… Catholics even consider Peter the first Pope. Essentially, based on the history of the Church, Catholicism existed 100+ years before the Bible was published. This is why Catholics don’t believe in sola scriptura… and Catholics do not argue the fact that the Bible is the word of God… but the apostles were also Instruments of God… and not everything they did and taught made the final draft. That is the rough and dirty history.
Now, please notice that I am merely presenting the basis of the belief… not whether it is right or wrong. Everyone entitled to their own opinions. I merely want to give perspective. I think it is counterproductive to argue right and wrong is you have no perspective, or merely the perspective of an opposing viewpoint, from where other people are coming from.
-JP
dr. luba
October 2nd, 2009
8:48 am
The deity does not get involved in sports competitions:
http://www.youtube.com/user/misterdeity#play/uploads/34/XF–G1zmyTw
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 2nd, 2009
9:50 am
Thomas Jefferson is a prophet of G-d. Any who dispute this fact is 1 )ignorant of the anointed Author of the Declaration of American Independence’s body of writings and role in History; 2) denies the existence of G-d; 3) is a member of the Roman Anti-Christ; and/or, 4) is a traitor against America, the prophesied Promised Land.
JohnPaul
October 2nd, 2009
3:09 pm
Will,
You are a very confusing man. You seem like such a hateful man. I’m not sure what to make of you. And this isn’t the first message board on AJC that I have seen you break down to name calling as a form of debate.
Anyway, let me just say, “You’re welcome”… it gives me great pride to serve our country in order to defend the civil liberties you enjoy. The liberties that allow you to voice your disrespectful generalizations of me, my religion and a much greater percentage of the American population than you realize.
I am sorry that I don’t meet you standards and that my religion threatens you in some way. But the same civil liberties that give you the right to call my religion the “Roman Anti-Christ” is the same civil liberty that give me the right to keep your propaganda out of our public school system.
Oh, and here is a quote for you:
Among the sayings and discourses imputed to him [Jesus] by his biographers, I find many passages of fine imagination, correct morality, and of the most lovely benevolence; and others again of so much ignorance, so much absurdity, so much untruth, charlatanism, and imposture, as to pronounce it impossible that such contradictions should have proceeded from the same being.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Short, April 13, 1820
So… I guess Thomas Jefferson himself probably doesn’t make the cut for you either.
Take care,
-JP
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 2nd, 2009
3:34 pm
“AND” others again of so much ignorance, so much absurdity, so much untruth, charlatanism, and imposture, as to pronounce it impossible that such contradictions should have proceeded from the same being.
Whether you were molested or not, JP, there is only One Creator G-d of the universe. Thomas Jefferson is his prophet. No true American rejects his prophetic wisdom.
It was he who identified your Babylonian priesthood, “that city which sits on seven hills,” as “the real Anti-Christ.”
Recognize your opposition to America’s Whig Founders places you, a Romanist, squarely in the treasonous sectarian faction known as Rome’s “Fifth Column,” whose principals have assassinated our leaders, financed Nazism and the Holocaust, sent us to Vietnam and other false wars and committed 9/11.
There is only one G-d. The Truth is known. Pick your “team.”
Death for Treason
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 2nd, 2009
3:36 pm
errata: “his prophet” should be “It’s prophet.”
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 2nd, 2009
4:01 pm
P.S. Since you may be named “John Paul,” you owe it to yourself to read “In God’s Name,” by David Yallop. JP1 was murdered in the Vatican for trying to rid the Vatican Bank of the Mafia. Nice “team” you have, even beyond the molestation, and all.
Sarah Walker
October 2nd, 2009
5:47 pm
I am SO proud of this school! I wish every school would have a passion to encourage their students and players with the Word of God! I know that I would love to walk onto the football field at my school and see my friends raise a banner that lifts up God as well as our football team. Props to the students, faculty, and community who aren’t afraid to support their God and build up their team. God will Bless you all GREATLY!!!!!!!!
frankie
October 2nd, 2009
6:45 pm
Enter your comments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlmIAoyBhHg
frankie
October 2nd, 2009
6:48 pm
my brother died and he was in footbal it was all over the news wawawawawawawwaawwa
JohnPaul
October 3rd, 2009
4:43 am
Will,
No need to read the book, I saw Godfather III, but thanks for the recommendation… You should probably know, being Catholic is lot like being Jewish these days… its how I was raised… and it’s the perspective I come to the table with. I actually don’t practice any more… and the molestation issue is one of those reasons. The concept of having to be “right” is one of the others. So… you really shouldn’t be casting stones about people when you don’t know them. The church also sold indulgences… sponsored the Crusades… started the inquisition… you aren’t giving me any new information. I claim being catholic has heritage… not practice… but it does bother me when people attack it just to be hateful… Christ wasn’t hateful.
But claiming Thomas Jefferson as a prophet is equally as strange. And a very interesting “team” for anyone to be on. Yes, he believed in God, but he didn’t believe in organized religion. He also impregnated his underage slave. I’m pretty sure that would have made him a sex offender in this day and age. But… I do hope you begin to emulate Thomas Jefferson more fully because I do think Jefferson was a great man… he was a great philosopher, scientist, diplomat, and, of course… he was not a hate monger. Based on what I read of Jefferson’s life… he just wanted people to understand and respect each other.
-JP
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 3rd, 2009
6:10 am
JP – My Nation is America, founded and authored by Thomas Jefferson, with the help of Black, White, Jew, and Gentile Whigs. The Oath I took on my life is to the Constitution and I believe the three Mottoes of Our Creed. I know there is only One G-d, the Creator of the universe, and “Annuit Coeptis” is referring only to It.
So too do I know a pattern of depredation and subversion of Our Republic, from assassination and false war, illegal immigration and debasement of the currency, to ‘Bush v. Gore’ and 9/11 can be unequivocally attached to the one earthly power and combine Mr. Jefferson identified as “the real Anti-Christ,”"an engine for enslaving mankind.”
I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t know, absolutely, of the truth – for all Americans.
Our Nation must be righteous, pursuing Justice and sweeping evil from the land.
Somebody tries to break into one’s righteous house in America, to steal or to injure: there is only one proper and immediate fate meted out by the householder’s vigilance. The sovereign People’s pursuing Righteousness is no different.
Our Courts must be the “Holy of Holies” in our civil religion of Americanism.
Where treason and injustice is found, Justice must be done on behalf of the People.
If not, a cancer is upon us.
Bush and Cheney committed 9/11 as “Reichstag Fire Redux.” “The New Pearl Harbor” is a free download on Google Scholar.
This must not be allowed to stand.
With a team from the Roman Catholic CIA, Bush’s father and Cheney’s mentor, Nixon, assassinated John Kennedy six weeks after his NSAM263 began our military withdrawal from the papal fiefdom of Vietnam. 58,000 of us died, and millions of innocent Asians.
This must not be allowed to stand.
Bush’s grandfather was Rome’s money conduit from their collection plates in America to the author of “I Paid Hitler,” papal baron Fritz “The Rockefeller of Germany” Thyssen, on behalf of Vatican-banker Rockefeller, the Roman Catholic Church, and Roman Europe’s “Black Aristocracy,” whose sons were the 30,000 Nazi SS secreted to Latin America in Operation Ratline by the Vatican and the CIA.
This must not be allowed to stand.
My view is not a product of bigotry, per se.
My sainted mother, buried at Arlington National Military Cemetery, was born and raised Roman Catholic, as was her great uncle whose action on the “Bonhomme Richard” was credited by John Paul Jones with the victory over the “Serapis,” which, historians claim, if lost may have ended America’s attempted revolt against the English crown. The fact that that uncle never married or fathered children, and was adept at organized violence, suggests the Babylonian priesthood’s pedophilia touched his life as well. The L-rd works in mysterious ways.
And one of those “ways” is the opportunity all Americans have to come back together as the sovereign People and to expropriate and extirpate Rome’s “Fifth Column” in Our Nation.
Don’t read Mr. Jefferson’s biographers, read his writings, particularly the “Post Road Correspondence” with John Adams. G-d is knowable by It’s prophets’ transitivity. Unshackle yourself, overcome the institutionalized perversion, superstition, and evil attached to Rome. Only G-d is perfect. It is your constitutionally guaranteed right to know It.
Truth must be known and Justice must be done to prove out.
There is but One G-d, Creator of the Universe.
In righteous America, the cheerleaders’ banner is an offense to G-d.
Those who disagree would do well to pray on it. The curse comes not without cause.
Death for Treason
Annuit Coeptis
JohnPaul
October 3rd, 2009
12:04 pm
Bahahahahaha. You know?… you had me going for a while. There is no use is debating with someone who “knows” they are right.
Will, by all means… good luck with all that… peace, have a good life.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 3rd, 2009
5:03 pm
No use debating a true and faithful American about the virtue or legitimacy of America’s covenant with G-d.
Rome – “the real Anti-Christ” – and America – the prophesied New Israel – don’t mix. One, or the other.
So you’re for “the other?” Thanks for at least having the integrity to fly your true colors.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 3rd, 2009
5:27 pm
P.S. PJ – If reasoned debate had been effective in convincing America and Americans to switch to Roman Catholicism and to support for Rome’s interests in the world, the Anti-Christ wouldn’t have have to resort to assassination of Lincoln, Kennedy, King, et al.
Tom
October 6th, 2009
8:05 am
In response to Tracy, 3 comments below regarding the authorship of the Bible:
Tracy, if the Bible was written by men how do you explain the 1000s of prophecies written often hundreds of years before an event happened? If only mere men wrote it, then they were themselves God because it is statistically impossible to write that many events prior to their occurrence, without a single error. I would encourage you to do some simple research about how special and unique the Bible really is. It is unlike any other religious document. No other religious document makes predictions of future events with 100 percent accuracy the way the Bible does. It may have been penned by an man, but the ideas came from someone who knew the future.
Tom
October 6th, 2009
8:06 am
Enter your comments here
Tom
October 6th, 2009
8:07 am
I didn’t realize my comment would be posted on the bottom.
Tracy is the 3rd comment from the top.
Brett
October 6th, 2009
10:50 am
here Where is the freedom of speech protection for the cheer squad?.. It got lost in the rush to stamp out references to God. What have we come to as a nation? The Founding Fathers wouldn’t recognize the country!!!
Response to Bubba
October 7th, 2009
12:28 am
Dear Bubba (first poster), although you remember the “Good ‘ol Days” as times of perpetual prosperity, the United States was indeed full of conflict (i.e., Vietnam war), rampant drug use by the youth (remember Woodstock?), racial discrimination, and no different from the problems we experience today. The only difference between then and now was that babies born to single mothers were adopted by the young lady’s parents, problems in society were not talked about and brushed under the rug, individuals with intellectual disabilities were shunned to the back porch, and people of other religions (or those without religion) had it forced upon them in a violation of the Constitution. You can have your racist “good ‘ol days,” but I’m content with the progress we have made as a society today (and it’s not complete yet).
mark
October 7th, 2009
8:29 am
Enter your comments here
mark
October 7th, 2009
8:29 am
Bring this up at small group
Tony
October 7th, 2009
10:18 am
Keep religion out of schools. The kids are somewhat misguided with their intentions. They can easily use banners with motivational quotes without referencing religion, if need be.
As for some of these extremists actually defending this, I wish they would actually practice what the bible preaches: faith, understanding, forgiveness, etc., rather than trying to ram their beliefs on others. Yes, extremists is a correct characterization.
Darren
October 7th, 2009
10:48 am
I thought the First Amendment to the Constitution protected freedom of speech. Either I’m misunderstood, or the freedom of speech only applies to things other than the Bible.
Steve
October 8th, 2009
11:50 pm
I find it interesting with all the comments how those offended by the banners can’t state what they are offended by. Do the words somehow irreparably harm you? I might be offended by what you wear, but I don’t call the fashion police. Society screams separation of church and state because they don’t want someone telling them there is a moral code they are violating. Everywhere you look society, government, and schools tell us to be “tolerant” of others. What they mean is we are to accept, endorse, and promote other views. According to Daniel Webster, the word tolerate means “to allow”, to respect others’ beliefs without sharing them”. I find a disparagingly wide gap when it comes to tolerating Christian views. If a Christian viewpoint is expressed, everyone is immediately offended and the ACLU or ADL come running. Can anyone give me an example of when the ACLU successfully defended a Christian civil liberty that was being trampled by secular society? Secular society screams the Christians want to brainwash our children with their religion. No one seems to be offended or worried about brainwashing when the Muslims want to promote their “culture” in our schools. How about the gays pushing their agenda through Hollywood or our schools as a normal lifestyle. What about the big bang theory? No one says “stop the brainwashing”. It is interesting to watch people who say they are tolerant be some of the most intolerant individuals when it comes to Christianity. Tolerance is practically mandated for everything except Christianity. What are these individuals so afraid of? That they might go to heaven? I hear people say Christians are hypocritical to what Jesus stood for and exclusive. They say Jesus was tolerant to everyone. They could not be more mistaken. Jesus was inclusive and offered salvation to all. However, He was not tolerant. When He forgave the prostitute of her sins, He didn’t say “it’s all good, do what you please.” No, He said “go and sin no more”. He always told the people to turn from their sin and do what is right. As America is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and beliefs, secular society has come up with a post modernistic view that we can’t have one belief system of higher value than another so all must be equally valid. Unfortunatelly that will not work and have society co-exist as opposing views can’t equally be valid. There has to be an absolute right and wrong. If I believe I have a right to steal your posessions and you believe stealing is wrong, then we have a problem. The Ten Commandments keep coming up as an issue as to displaying them on public property. People are offended by them because it promotes religion. Which one? Even the Muslims follow them. Yes, they are of Judeo-Christian origin, but what about its content offends you. Is it the 4th commandment that says “Honor your father and mother”? I’ll bet the parents of delinquent children wish their children would obey that one. How about “Thou shalt not steal”, or “Thou shalt not kill”? Any problems yet? Is it the one about lying about someone and slandering them. Don’t we all like it when others talk bad about us and make up lies behind our back? How about not committing adultery? I’m sure the spouse adultery was commited against would wish this one was kept. And the last two where it says we should not covet or try to cheat our neighbor’s wife, house, or belongings away from him. Boy, it seems almost every law we have in the land can be traced back to the last 7 commandments which were given to the Israelites as civil responsibilities. By the way the first 3 are so offensive they tell us to love God, go to church, and not use His name to curse with. No, I find it amusing when I see a 5 year old talk back to his mother using profanity interlaced with Jesus Christ. Yes it shows maturity and a strong grasp of the English language. As a society we need to decide what is going to be our societal, moral, ethical compass. If it is going to be 9 individual opinions on a bench in Washington, then we will fail as a society and repeat the failures of societies of history because they are fallible. We have to have an absolute. Our founding fathers knew this and also knew our constitution would only work when coupled with a Judeo-Christian values and belief system. Not one denomination, but of the universal Christian church. It would not work in conjunction with the Koran, Budhism, Hinduism, or other philosophies as they place different values on life, liberties, and the pursuit of happiness and therfore would not mesh as synchronosly.
bandjzmom
October 15th, 2009
8:05 am
Well, I think that Steve hit the nail squarely on the head. Thanks Steve!! I happen to live in the county from which this story originates. Nobody was trying to “force” any religion upon any person present at those games. It was not the school’s idea to do those banners. The cheerleaders were just trying to motivate and support their team. If I were in the Middle East, I would expect to see quotes from the Koran, and I would not be at all offended by them. I would not feel as if anyone was trying to force me to become a Muslim. This is America, and this country was founded on Christian principles. “In God, we Trust.” If we see a sign that advises us to “drink Coca-Cola,” we are not then obliged to go forth and do so. The signs were not causing any harm. Period.
Kenny
October 15th, 2009
10:12 am
I read the article, read most of the comments and I hope folks in Georgia have a better memory than most. A couple of years ago, you were suffering, in a great way, for the lack of water. When your Gov. publically prayed (along with others) for water, rain soon fell. Then, as now, you had the same comments about the “wrongness” of public displays of Christian faith, almost word for word, the same old tired arguments. You were critical of the public display of Christian faith. Nevertheless, your lake is now full and you have plenty to drink.
However, in the last few days the rain has fell “too much” and your great city has flooded. A terrible tragedy, no doubt. Lots of suffering. I wish it on no one. But with that said, I ask a question, if you follow your logic in objecting to public displays of faith; and if Christians were to publically display their faith once again, should you not now blame your floods on the poor un-educated, mis-guided Christians who publically express their faith in God? Of course not, that would be silly and no doubt you would remember the lesson of history, ancient Rome did this, and this kind of “mis-guided thinking” became the basis for terrible Christian persecution. You would not do this.
So a premis emerges from your reason and logic; Christians should not express their faith publically, because doing so may validate their faith before others. True also, but for a different reason, negative consequences in this world should not be attributed to Christian practices. The latter you have learned from history. Today, that is the status quo. Christians have lived with this situation for centuries and in a moderate society, they can do so for centuries to come. So the problem should be solved if we follow this simple premis. However, in my feeble mind there still remains one single question to be answered; what is going on with all these water issues; you know first there is not enough and you thirst, and now there is too much and you are flooded? Is there a lesson to be learned here?
Is it wrong to let our kids publically display their faith before a football game?
James
October 15th, 2009
11:01 pm
The Bible is a vital piece of all of literature. It just so happens that the same book is the same book we base our religion upon. If we all read ‘Moby Dick’ in church, we couldn’t talk about it in school, could we?
taylor
January 26th, 2010
12:09 am
i am so proud of these girls. they stood for what they believed in, and there is NOTHING wrong with that.
thanks girls.
lrb
January 28th, 2010
10:51 pm
Has anyone thought about the fact that if there is a God, would he be pleased to see his scriptures used at such a petty event as a football game?!?! seriously…. who prays to god to win a football game?? Selfish.