Posted on 11/16/2010 5:20:44 AM PST by Sybeck1
(Batesville, MS 11/15/2010) -- The traditional pre-game prayer was replaced by a moment of silence before the South Panola High School Football game Friday.
But many in the crowd decided not to remain silent, instead they recited the Lord's Prayer out loud.
Superintendent Dr. Keith Shaffer, who made the decision to replace the prayer, was glad the crowd prayed. "I was proud," he says. "My community is what I worry about. I have to abide by what the law says and what the Federal Courts tell me, but when my community steps forward and asserts itself, I'm fine with that."
Dr. Shaffer was the same person to reinstate the prayer back in 2005. He says a group, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, wanted him to restart the pre-game prayer tradition. "I honored the request," he says.
Just recently though, Dr. Shaffer says the South Panola School Board attorney received emails from visitors who attended a football game. He says one of the emails was from an attorney who reminded the district of a Supreme Court decision banning pre-game prayer. That's when Shaffer says the decision was made to switch to a moment of silence.
We spoke with several people in Batesville about the issue. "I'm a Christian," says Jena Hannah. She says the government shouldn't decide whether or not pre-game prayer is appropriate. "I believe in the sweet Lord, and I believe if more people had the Lord in their heart, we would not have the problems in the world we have today."
David Chrastma says prayer is always good, but he doesn't necessarily see the need for an organized prayer at a football game. "Why would God be on one or the other side?" He asks.
Retired teacher Percy Bruce says he was unhappy to read about the moment if silence replacing the prayer. "I think it's a disgrace," he says. "This is a free country. I think we should pray whenever we get ready, whenever we want."
South Panola ping
I am looking forward to the day when all the politicians and activist judges who have worked so hard to kick God out of the American discourse have to stand before the Living God and explain themselves.
I’m glad so many are ignoring the idiot liberals in so many ways! Does anyone have the video where the crowd decided to do the pledge, even though the moderator said they were going to “pass”?
“But many in the crowd decided not to remain silent, instead they recited the Lord’s Prayer out loud.”
None of us can be silent any more. We ALL need to take similar actions when possible.
The prayer is usually along the lines of oversight and protection for ALL who are involved in the game, that it would be played with honor, integrity and sportmanship, that everyone----winners and losers---would benefit from the contest. Strange concept in today's world, but is one of the many lessons which were once freely shared across this land.
If you are looking for sides there are two. There is a 'side' that believes we as a people have the freedom and constitutional right of religious expressions.....and then there is a side that believes that no religious expression should ever be allowed in any public venue.
He isn't. But he's watching over all. Even in HS, it's a rough game, so why not invite Him to be there.
Might help explain that long winning streak.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Is that the only proper criterion, sir? Maybe they're just showing grateful awareness of the Lord's grace, that they are in a sports arena rather than a battlefield; and well-fed and healthy and alive by His grace, too. Maybe there's something about being in the presence of one's community that impels a person to experience and share a very precious aspect of human existence: spirituality.
Seems rather devilish to resent or question someone's desire to pray in the midst of joyful living. Petty devilry, but all the same...
Why not the National Anthem?
“Whose prayer should be said?”
Nice try. Sanjeev and David and Su Wong probably have no objection to the saying of the prayer of the Christian majority (IIRC the Lord’s Prayer makes no reference to Jesus).
But Abdullah does. And nobody in our PC-riddled society dares object to public prayer manifestations by Muslims. BTW, the Six Flying Imams came within a whisker of silencing criticism of Muslim behavior.
Besides, the Lord’s Prayer was recited in that stadium not by public invocation, but spontaneously by individual citizens.
Should they have been arrested for violating the court-imposed “moment of silence”?
Sir, you credit me with enforcement powers which I totally lack.
But apparently I am to be deprived also of the power of expressing a contrary opinion?
Yes, America is a great country because here one is normally not silenced merely for expressing an opinion.
Unless of course, it implies criticism of Islam, whereupon forces can and will be set in motion.
If you’ve ever been to a high school football game at South Panola, it’s quite an experience. South Panola is one of the Top 10 high school programs in America; they are a football machine that routinely trounces the top competition in Mississippi—and if you know anything about high school football in that state, it’s an absolute passion.
Kudos to the players, coaches, faculty and fans standing up for their First Amendment rights. Too bad their breathern at the nearby University of Mississippi aren’t so politically correct. They’ve banned the longtime “Colonel Reb” mascot and replaced it with a black bear. And, “Dixie” has been officially banned from the band’s gameday performances. This, at a school where the fans used to chant “Go to hell LSU” after the pregame prayer.
File suit against the school... use alinsky back on them.
LLS
Oh I know South Panola, my kids go to Olive Branch, who the Tigers beat yearly.
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