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Now It's Student Led Prayer at Football Games

Skwim

Skwim

Veteran Member
.

"An OH School District Wrongly Thinks Student-Led Loudspeaker Prayers Are Legal
​
Earlier this year, the Freedom From Religion Foundation wrote a letter to the West Branch Local School District in Ohio because prayers were being recited over the loudspeaker at school-sponsored events. That’s obviously illegal, and the District agreed to put a stop to it by replacing all those prayers with a moment of silence.

Then they backtracked. On August 20, the school board voted to allow a “limited open forum” at school events. In theory, that means students could lead prayers (which is always legal). But in practice, the District figured that was the loophole they needed to exploit in order to continue the loudspeaker prayers. They didn’t understand that students who decide on their own to pray to Jesus still don’t have the legal right to use the school’s resources to broadcast that prayer.

According to schools Superintendent Timothy Saxton, the addendum “helps us more clearly define and implement our policy allowing student-led voluntary invocations before events. The board felt this resolution gives us more direction as a district and administrative team for future challenges.”

Saxton in an email Thursday praised the board on its action.

“I applaud the board’s decision as it has taken a clear stand and feels that the tradition of allowing (prayer) before home varsity events is something that truly matters to our students and the West Branch Local School District’s strong faith-based community,” he said.
​
Make no mistake: This was all about religion, and letting students use the loudspeaker to promote their religious views at school events was a lawsuit waiting to happen. It’s already happened. Last Friday night, there was a Christian prayer said over the loudspeakers before a football game. The public address announcer said it wasn’t sponsored by the school, but that’s really an irrelevant remark. It was like fine print that no one was ever going to see.

That’s the argument FFRF’s legal fellow Christopher Line made in a letter sent to the District on Friday:


Establishing a “limited public forum” to ensure that students will pray before games, and then including a disclaimer that this is not sponsored by the school does not make this practice legal… The Supreme Court has specifically struck down invocations given over the loudspeaker at public school athletic events, even when students-led.
​
The school has to decide what’s more important: Pushing Jesus on everybody (and dealing with the inevitable lawsuit), or saying no to the prayers and reminding students they can all talk to God silently and telepathically anytime they want. Hell, even if they want to do it vocally and for show, they can do it in the parking lot before the enter. The District shouldn’t be helping them out.

This isn’t complicated. At least it wouldn’t be if the school board gave a damn about following the law."
source
​
*sigh* They just don't get it...............Or is it that they don't want to get it? In either case, STUPIDITY AGAIN REIGNS.
.
.​
 
Kenny

Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
Skwim said:
An OH School District Wrongly Thinks Student-Led Loudspeaker Prayers Are Legal​
Earlier this year, the Freedom From Religion Foundation wrote a letter to the West Branch Local School District in Ohio because prayers were being recited over the loudspeaker at school-sponsored events. That’s obviously illegal, and the District agreed to put a stop to it by replacing all those prayers with a moment of silence.

Then they backtracked. On August 20, the school board voted to allow a “limited open forum” at school events. In theory, that means students could lead prayers (which is always legal). But in practice, the District figured that was the loophole they needed to exploit in order to continue the loudspeaker prayers. They didn’t understand that students who decide on their own to pray to Jesus still don’t have the legal right to use the school’s resources to broadcast that prayer.

According to schools Superintendent Timothy Saxton, the addendum “helps us more clearly define and implement our policy allowing student-led voluntary invocations before events. The board felt this resolution gives us more direction as a district and administrative team for future challenges.”

Saxton in an email Thursday praised the board on its action.

“I applaud the board’s decision as it has taken a clear stand and feels that the tradition of allowing (prayer) before home varsity events is something that truly matters to our students and the West Branch Local School District’s strong faith-based community,” he said.​
Make no mistake: This was all about religion, and letting students use the loudspeaker to promote their religious views at school events was a lawsuit waiting to happen. It’s already happened. Last Friday night, there was a Christian prayer said over the loudspeakers before a football game. The public address announcer said it wasn’t sponsored by the school, but that’s really an irrelevant remark. It was like fine print that no one was ever going to see.

That’s the argument FFRF’s legal fellow Christopher Line made in a letter sent to the District on Friday:


Establishing a “limited public forum” to ensure that students will pray before games, and then including a disclaimer that this is not sponsored by the school does not make this practice legal… The Supreme Court has specifically struck down invocations given over the loudspeaker at public school athletic events, even when students-led.​
The school has to decide what’s more important: Pushing Jesus on everybody (and dealing with the inevitable lawsuit), or saying no to the prayers and reminding students they can all talk to God silently and telepathically anytime they want. Hell, even if they want to do it vocally and for show, they can do it in the parking lot before the enter. The District shouldn’t be helping them out.

This isn’t complicated. At least it wouldn’t be if the school board gave a damn about following the law.
source​
*sigh* They just don't get it...............Or is it that they don't want to get it? In either case, STUPIDITY AGAIN REIGNS.
.
.​
Click to expand...

WOOHOOOOOO!

:hugehug:
The Supreme Court opens a court hearing on Public Prayer... with... OMG A PRAYER!

Supreme Court Opens Hearing on Public Prayer—With a Prayer

IT PASSED THE MUSTARD TOO!

I tell you, we are infecting EVERYONE :D You might catch it Skwim.
 
D

Deidre

Well-Known Member
I think these types of things should be private. If a group of students want to pray before a game, that's fine. But, forcing it on the masses, isn't okay. Why are football games such a focus for prayer and the national anthem? lol
 
C

columbus

yawn <ignore> yawn
KenS said:
WOOHOOOOOO!

:hugehug:
The Supreme Court opens a court hearing on Public Prayer... with... OMG A PRAYER!
Click to expand...
Christians like to criticize Muslims for being culturally oppressive.

But they also clap and cheer for culturally oppressive Christians.
What's with that?
Tom
 
Shadow Wolf

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber & Business Owner
columbus said:
Christians like to criticize Muslims for being culturally oppressive.

But they also clap and cheer for culturally oppressive Christians.
What's with that?
Tom
Click to expand...
Living in America, those sorts of Christians worry me way more than the worst of the Muslims do.
 
Skwim

Skwim

Veteran Member
Shadow Wolf said:
Living in America, those sorts of Christians worry me way more than the worst of the Muslims do.
Click to expand...
Absolutely, because far too many believe they have a moral imperative to bring America in line with their religious beliefs, and they don't care whose rights they step on. I honestly believe most would be pleased as punch if Christianity became the state religion.

.

.

.
 
Kenny

Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
columbus said:
Christians like to criticize Muslims for being culturally oppressive.

But they also clap and cheer for culturally oppressive Christians.
What's with that?
Tom
Click to expand...
You mean like when they behead people? :rolleyes:
 
sun rise

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
Deidre said:
I think these types of things should be private. If a group of students want to pray before a game, that's fine. But, forcing it on the masses, isn't okay. Why are football games such a focus for prayer and the national anthem? lol
Click to expand...
Especially because the Bible tells Christians not to make a public display of prayer. This to me says it all:

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
 
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