Posted on 06/07/2012 11:31:41 AM PDT by iowamark
While the nation discusses and debates the attacks on religious freedom, a high school junior in Florida has put her academic reputation on the line to stand up for her faith. Margeaux Graham was selected this year to participate in The American Legion Auxiliary's prestigious 9-day leadership event, the "Girls State" program. When Margeaux learned she would not be allowed to attend Sunday mass during the event, she decided to decline the honor...
Margeaux Graham was selected this year to participate in a prestigious 9-day leadership event in her state's capital. The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) of Florida has an annual "Girls State" program whereby the participants "learn how to participate in the functioning of their state's government in preparation for their future roles as responsible adult citizens." It is a "nonpartisan program that teaches young women responsible citizenship and love for God and Country. They are awarded 3 college credits and rare notoriety in the college application process.
Margeaux is a faithful Catholic. That is, she takes her obligation to attend Mass as just that - her obligation. When she inquired about nearby Catholic churches to plan where she would attend, she was told by the staff that the only opportunity any of the girls would have to participate in a Sunday service is to attend the "non-offensive", non-denominational service offered for all at the conference. The event takes place at Florida State University and the cathedral is nearby the campus. [see update] A member of the national American Legion even contacted the Auxiliary to arrange for a priest to celebrate Mass on campus, and this accommodation was denied.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...
If you have no obligations to God, are taught no obligations to God, it is thought okay to preen for titles and to glorify yourself, to your own benefit, on Sunday.
Christians actually don’t have the warm and fuzzy walk they often engage in. Martyrdom comes to mind.
No, it's not NON DENOMINATIONAL to play games with the Catholics. They are NOT Protestants.
Actually, it's not wise to mess with the Protestants either, or the Jews, or whoever.
If you want to be non-denominational you simply allow EVERYONE at whatever time she might chose (in terms of their own religious affiliation or preference) to go do whatever it is they do.
I think they must have put the wrong person in charge of that part of life. Best bet in the future is to not hold American Legion Girls State.
The denial of First Amendment rights to anyone is to deny them to everyone.
Not certain but I don’t think this is the American Legion’s fault beyond they trusted FSU to do what was right. I belong to the Legion and went to Boys State in 1962 so there is a long tradition of both Boys & Girls State. The PC Pinko organization is FSU.
What precept of your faith (whatever it may be) would you be willing to disown in order to get some worldly honor?
"Richard, the Lord said that it did not profit a man to gain the whole world if he lost his soul. The whole world, Richard ... but for [Girls State]?"
And, if so, since when does an organization "supporting veterans" intentionally slight them by denying a young American woman her right to exercise her religion? Who are they more interested in: the American veterans they supposedly represent and their American values OR some imaginary, hypothetical, who-knows-they-might-show-up, offended... whomever?
That does it, I'm dumping my membership in the American Legion.
Sounds as if you got their version of "love for God" down pretty well.
These types of programs are legends in their own minds. First, while the ALA may award three college credits, many and perhaps most colleges will not recognize the credits.
Second, the influence of this and similar "resume stuffing" programs have little if any impact on the college admissions process. Indeed, I am willing to bet that if this young lady uses this experience and her principled stand as the basis for her college application essay, then many colleges will view her application significanly more favorably than if she had simply stated on her resume that she attended the ALA program.
Since they get a morning off, how do they prevent her from walking across the street?
Since they get Sunday morning off, how do they prevent her from walking across the street?
She already knows more good citizenship than will be taught at “girl’s state”.
I explain to my kids that sometimes you have to eat sh$t in life. How much depends on you. Where you draw the line is up to each person. She made a choice and will live with the fallout. I doubt her life is ruined. She obviously has some good qualities that made her a candidate for this conference. So she still has those qualities and evidence of something else, strength of convictions and integrity.
Choosing God over Mammon is always the correct choice. God will reward her, somewhere, sometime and she will learn lessons from this sacrifice.
I missed out on Boys’ State in KS because the county sheriff raided the local Legion post and took out the one-armed bandits that supplied the funds to sponsor students to the program.
>>This girl is foolish not to go. Are you saying god would we be upset she missed one Mass for this honor? Doesn’t he have bigger concerns running the universe? She can go to confession an extra time if she feels guilty. Self-inflicted trauma.<<
First, you have no clue about being Catholic. Mass on Sunday is not a suggestion but rather one of the Precepts of the Church. Confession is not a “Get out of Jail Free” card. Look it up.
Second, earthly things are earthly. Things that belong to God, belong to God. If she would lose out on anything because of this decision, she doesn’t need it or God will provide another path.
Third, why would anyone listen to your advice about God when you don’t even give Him proper title by capitalizing His Name?
Strider, I think that post 28 is a very good rejoinder to your point. While I greatly value my Boys’ State experience, as did my father before me, and my mother her Girls’ State experience, as someone involved in admissions at a Catholic school, a decent paragraph on this experience in an admissions essay will get her a scholarship offer (at least here). Plus, rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God unto God’s is a good way to run one’s life.
Thanks for the link. Based on her letter, she has a better understanding of the Constitution and Catholicism than the organizers of this event.
>>I like the concept of going “to confession an extra time”, as though God would forgive you even MORE for confessing the same sin twice. <<
LOL! I missed that!
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