I thought you all might enjoy an encouraging note that prayer still
happens... This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the
football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee by school
Principal Jody McLoud, on September 1, 2000. I thought it was worth sharing
with the world, and hope you will forward it to all your friends. It
clearly shows just how far this country has gone in the wrong
direction. "It has always been the custom at Roane County High School
football games to say a prayer and play the National Anthem to honor
God and Country. Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told
that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As
I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve
of sexual perversion and call it an alternate lifestyle, and if
someone is offended, that's OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity
by dispensing condoms and calling it safe sex. If someone is offended,
that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of
killing an unborn baby as a viable means of birth control. If someone is
offended, no problem. I can designate a school day as earth day and
involve students in activities to religiously worship and praise the
goddess, mother earth, and call it ecology. I can use literature,
videos and presentations in the classroom that depict people with
strong, traditional, Christian convictions as simple minded and ignorant
and call it enlightenment. However, if anyone uses this facility to honor
God and ask Him to bless this event with safety and good
sportsmanship, Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be
inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be
tolerant of everything and anyone except God and His Commandments. Nevertheless,
as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by
rules which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be
inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that
affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional
transgression. For this reason, I shall, "Render unto Caesar that
which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. However, if
you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God, and ask Him in the name
of Jesus to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I
know, that's not against the law----yet." AND...one by one, the
people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another, and
began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team
huddles. They prayed at the concession stand. And they prayed in the
announcer's box. The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court
of the United State's of America - the seat of "justice" in the one nation
under God. Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee, remembered what so many have
forgotten... we are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM
Religion. Praise God that His remnant remains!