Posted on 09/29/2009 8:10:03 PM PDT by F15Eagle
Community members are rallying around Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School cheerleaders after they were banned from displaying signs with Bible verses urging fans and players to “commit to the Lord” and “take courage and do it.”
The banners — the paper ones that football players crash through at the beginning of games — have been common sights in the school’s football stadium since 2003, local officials say.
“The cheerleaders are not trying to push a religious cause, to shove religion down someone’s throat,” said local youth minister Brad Scott, who was LFO High’s class president in 2004. “The cheerleaders are just using Scripture to show motivation and inspiration to the players and the fans.”
Catoosa County Schools spokeswoman Marissa Brower said a Fort Oglethorpe resident lodged a verbal complaint to Superintendent Denia Reese last week, saying that the display of a Bible verse on the football field is a violation of federal law.
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.”
Mr. Scott said the ban prompted a rally tonight in support of the cheerleaders outside the Chick-fil-A restaurant on Battlefield Parkway so people can show their support for the cheerleaders and their signs.
A Facebook page called “We Support the LFO Cheerleaders! LET THEM HAVE THEIR SIGNS BACK!” also has been established.
Mrs. Reese lends her personal appreciation, if not her official support.
“I regret that we had to ask the LFO cheerleaders to change the signs used in the stadium prior to football games,” Mrs. Reese states. “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
(Excerpt) Read more at timesfreepress.com ...
Let’s see,
Ignore “.the free exercise thereof.”
Ignore “ shall not be infringed.”
Come on one more and it’s “You’re OUT!”.
Yep, that comes in right after the right to kill unborn babies.
Even GOD has a tolerance level. Stand by for the consequences.
Bet the guy who made the ‘verbal complaint’ feels good about now.
9/18/09 At a football game on the school's field, cheerleaders at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School hold up a sign with a Biblical verse on it. After a complaint last week, the school has banned the cheerleaders from using any more signs with religious statements on them, saying it violates the U.S. Constitution.
If these were “professional football cheerleaders” I would be asking, “Who, is looking at the signs?”
Sounds like the local Chik-Fil-A decided to support the cheerleaders by allowing the rally. Good for them.
America has been waiting for the consequences since 1934.
The world has been waiting the consequences since Jesus died on the Cross.
THIS IS BACKWARDS!
The First Amendment forbids the Federal legislature from making laws about religion and also forbids the Federal legislature from making laws about what opinions people can express.
Thus, the Federal legislature can NOT make a federal law preventing these cheerleaders from expressing their opinions about religion.
The silly courts have used later amendments to apply the first amendment to local governments. FINE, then local governments may NOT make laws restricting the expression of religious opinion. Thus local governments certainly can not create a public place with tax payer money, where religious opinion may not be expressed.
On the flip side, the First Amendment says NOTHING about the federal legislature being forbidden from making public areas where people may express opinions! The very notion is on the face of it both ridiculous--and yet it is somehow the unquestioned dogma of legal precedent. The situation is surreal.
Yep. They keep repeating the lie.
The person who wrote this statement is an absolute moron.
Yep.
A Constitutional scholar he is not.
Government schools are dangerous to the faith of your children. What matters to you?
I'm not sure what the punishment is for tearing up Bible verses, but I hope God is lenient. These kids mean Him no harm.
I WANT some high school kid to give a commencement address and invoke God; I want kids to walk through school with “Jesus Saves” t-shirts, but even I think these signs cross the line. Would it be okay if the sign said, “Allah is Great?” Would it be okay if the sign said, “There is no god, play on?”
The only problem is if the *public* school MAKES them wear those t-shirts. Then it’s a violation of free speech.
Prohibits would be the same. In a public school that is.
Disapproves.
Maybe in Baghdad, but not here.
Idiots.
Nor do I. I praise these kids, just criticising those that criticise.
I WANT some high school kid to give a commencement address and invoke God; I want kids to walk through school with “Jesus Saves” t-shirts, but even I think these signs cross the line. Would it be okay if the sign said, “Allah is Great?” Would it be okay if the sign said, “There is no god, play on?”
I agree. It seems so interesting that kids would even write this for a pep rally. I went to Catholic School my entire life and went to EVERY football game home and away and we never put Bible verses on anything. I just think this is unnecessary. Just play football...yes the prayer before the game I agree with, but these large tacky signs is quite frankly disprespectful in my humble opinion.
This community will not stand for this, as one speaker said, this is what happens when you try to unbuckle the bible belt.
This has been on Drudge report, and two cheerleaders were on Fox and Friends this morning.
A local t-shirt shop has made and is selling t-shirts that say “Warriors For Christ” in school colors, as they are the LFO warriors!
Jay Neil, our local state rep. spoke at the rally, and he told the crowd that LFO -Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe- now also stands for Living Faith Outloud, and what applaud he got for that!
Our President is (supposedly) - I’d like to see the records of his classes - to see if he really did take Constitutional Law, but they’re being blocked for some reason.
That’s awesome. I’m rooting for you and your family and your community!!!
Great news. Thanks for updating. Is the complainer looking for a hole to hide in after trying to oppress so many?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.