Posted on 04/20/2010 2:51:33 PM PDT by DukeBillie
It was an impromptu congregation that joined hands Monday evening, encircling the entire courthouse square in a ring of prayer that broke out in revival as the evening drew on.
The gathering, which organizers estimated numbered more than 1,000, was intent not just on showing support for the continued practice of saying the Lord’s Prayer at County Commission meetings, but also on asking for divine guidance and strength for local officials.
“We’re not trying to shove religion down anyone’s throat. We’re not trying to impose on anyone. We’re not trying to pass a law. We’re just here to pray,” organizer Tony Sutton told the crowd over a borrowed, handheld loudspeaker, drawing cheers and applause. “We’re here to show our support for what we believe in.”
As Gum Stand Baptist Church Pastor Ron Reagan offered supplications over the microphone from a perch on a porch on the east side of the courthouse, his voice was drowned out by hundreds throughout the crowd who spoke, and even shouted in some cases, their own prayers.
“We thank you, Lord, that we live in this country, in this state and in this county,” Reagan intoned. “We thank you that we still have Godly leaders who will stand up for the things they believe in.”
Reagan said his, “Amen,” prompting applause that cut the cool evening air and interrupted several who were still vociferously passing up their prayers. The sound of old-time hymns such as “Amazing Grace” and “The Old Rugged Cross” swirled around the old brick building while Sutton celebrated the number that turned out.
“I am so tickled,” Sutton said. “This is what we were hoping for. This is what I saw — people circling the courthouse.”
After the singing was quieted, Reagan said it would only be appropriate that the assembly end the evening by reciting the very prayer that has landed the county in the middle of the battle. That was far from the topper for the event, though, as the crowd lingered, some of their number continuing with the music while some of the more senior ministers belted out unsolicited sermons to anyone who would listen.
Many held their hands aloft as an atmosphere akin to that found in many houses of worship throughout the county any given Sunday morning filled downtown Sevierville.
Sutton describes the battle brewing between county leaders and Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) as a fight for the country’s soul.
“It’s going to have a national impact,” Sutton said. “This will probably eventually be a national issue. If we can’t beat this thing in the Bible Belt, what hope do they have in the rest of the country?”
AU has demanded the commissioners stop opening their meetings with the Lord’s Prayer. Further, the group wants a picture bearing the prayer, the Ten Commandments and a likeness of Jesus removed from the board’s meeting room, which serves as a courtroom most days.
Attorneys with the organization insist the practice and the picture are a blatant violation of the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment to the Constitution. That section stipulates government bodies won’t support any one religion over another or prohibit any American citizen from practicing their personal religion freely.
County officials have vowed to continue things as they’ve always done them, even promising they’ll fight a lawsuit promised by AU because they believe they’re on solid footing. That prompted folks such as Dixie Goodman to express their support to leaders like County Mayor Larry Waters.
“I am so proud of you,” Goodman told Waters during the gathering as she patted his hand. “I hope you’ve seen the letters I wrote to the paper. If you don’t stand up for God now, we’re fighting a losing battle. I am honored that there is a man in office here in Sevier County who stands up for his beliefs and mine.”
The controversy could almost be custom-ordered for politicians facing tough campaigns in this election year if it weren’t so fraught with the risk that the county might lose the battle. That’s a potential Deborah Stephens isn’t ready to see.
“We are a making a declaration to the nation that we support prayer,” said Stephens, a Morristown resident who attends local church Life Changers Fellowship and drove down for the event because she felt it too important to miss. “We believe this nation was founded on God. If we don’t stand up for these rights, they’re being taken away everyday.”
As the prayer started and supporters holding signs bearing quotations both from Scripture and American leaders circled around the courthouse porch, Stephens blew a shofar, the ceremonial ram’s horn used by Jewish people to signal the start of prayers and worship. She said the action was a call for Christians across the country to take up arms in the local battle.
“I fail to see anybody coming up to a Muslim as they start to pray and jerking their prayer mat away,” Stephens said. “We believe we should be afforded the same freedom.”
As for the commission’s actual meeting, the prayer went forward as usual, though the issue itself wasn’t on the agenda. A couple of those on the board expressed their gratitude for the show by those who back them.
“We appreciate your support,” County Mayor Larry Waters said. “It means a graet deal to me personally and to the members of this commission to see the people of Sevier County stand up for what they believe in.”
"We hold these things to be self-evident, that all men are created......equal..."
ACLU will file lawsuits against prayer rings which surround entire public squares or public buildings.
I’m sure it offends the sensibilities of ACLU alumni such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. They have friends in our court system, if they want to take this to court.
bump
BTTT
You’re welcome. What does BTTT mean?
I love this part of the country and would like to live there one day.
Tell the AU and the ACLU; both fronts for the communist agenda, to pound sand.
Back to the top.
As Gum Stand Baptist Church Pastor Ron Reagan offered supplications over the microphone from a perch on a porch on the east side of the courthouse, his voice was drowned out by hundreds throughout the crowd who spoke, and even shouted in some cases, their own prayers.
Praise the LORD! Only in the "Land of the Free because of the Brave!" How this blesses my heart. Thank you for posting this wonderful view of the true people of our precious country. We must never stop praying and believing in God's Promises!
We must never stop praying and believing in God's Promises!
Amen, my Sweet Sister Tajgirvan!
(((((((Thank you for the Ping to this Awesome Read)))))))
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