Sunday, October 10, 2010

Violating Federal Case Law


Your Sunday morning thought.  This was sent by a reader.  I don't know if it's true or if it's an urban myth, but it makes for a good read.
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This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School in Kingston, Tennessee by school Principal Jody McLeod.

"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 life style," 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 worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology."

“I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts 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 to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then 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 with 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."

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 States of America – the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD."

JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER."

14 comments:

  1. It's apparently true. http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/mcloud.asp

    Love this - thanks for sharing. As always, I'm so glad we homeschool.

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  2. http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/mcloud.asp

    According to this website it's true and was delivered in Sept. 2000. An excellent speech.

    Steve

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  3. I don't know if this heart-warming story is true, either, but I sure hope so.

    It reminds me of a thing I used to do at public meetings during public comment. It gave many attorneys reason to reach for their antacid tablets, and was especially effective when I was a member of the sitting body, and it was particularly satisfying when I did it as Chairman.

    I'd thank everyone for coming and taking part in the Pledge of Allegiance, and then remind folks that traditionally we'd have followed the Pledge with a prayer. But of course, since we all know there are those who'd call that practice offensive or illegal, we surely won't be doing it now....HOWEVER...IF WE WERE TO PRAY, we'd thank our Heavenly Father for our lives and the many blessings we enjoy as Americans. We'd ask Him to bless and guide our nation and its leaders and we'd ask His Wisdom to be present in the business we undertake here tonight on behalf of our community. And we'd ask a special blessing on our troops, and on the U.S. Supreme Court, for its return to upholding the values and moral foundations of our great republic. And of course, if we were to pray this prayer, we'd conclude by asking in Jesus' Name, and everyone would say..." and at this point the majority of those assembled could be clearly heard saying, "Amen."
    The reporters and attorneys would fume, a couple of the people on the board would squirm and sniff, and the people would always say thank you. No one ever challenged or criticized the practice. Color me egotistical, if you will, but it was especially gratifying to do this during televised meetings. A few months after I began doing it two local city governments re-introduced opening prayers after years of not allowing them. More have since followed suit.
    Pray, America, and never ever let anyone tell you you can't. It's our fundamental right as Americans.

    A. McSp

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  4. It sounds so unbelievable that it might be true. May God in heaven have mercy on us as we press forward through the spirit of evil that has staked it's claim on this age.

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  5. Yep. True...

    http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/mcloud.asp

    Hopefully the address will work.

    Cat

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  6. I am against MANDATORY prayer anywhere. When I was young and stupid I had to go through some court ordered Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. They close with a prayer and I just refused to participate. I did not object to being "FORCED" to be involved with a group that espoused a God. Yet not the one I beleive in. I took the best of what was there and am now engaged to a 12 stepper who was 21+ years clean while I am a "normy" in their terminology. That's OK every religion has something to learn. I agree with Mercedes Lackey in that respect "there is no one true path"


    Ottar

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  7. I don't know if that's an urban legend either, but one part is dead wrong.

    Every daily session of the House, the Senate, and the Supreme court IS opened in prayer, and has been since their first sessions, over 200 years ago.

    Bill Smith

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  8. seems to me if prayer is good enough for the house, senate and supreme court then we the people who want to pray should be able to and freely.

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  9. "Prayer is like a rocking chair - gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere". ~ Gypsy Rose Lee.

    Actually its not quite true. Might do some good for the person praying I suppose.

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  10. You are not as wise as you give yourself credit for quedula. It's no big deal. Your choice and all that. Go with that stiff upper lip bologney that is a old British myth. People are people where ever they were born. I suppose that your cocksure attitude will NOT serve you well.

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  11. Quedula supposes quite correctly.

    And YAYYY to learn the Principal Jody McLeod story is true!

    Bill's reminder of the opening prayers by our legislative and judicial bodies brought to mind reports about the persistent efforts to omit 'In God We Trust' from Federal Monuments, and some of the policies currently used to minimize the appearance of that phrase in places where its prominently featured. One would be the Supreme Court, where I've read it's carved in large and small places in the wood, like railings and banisters and on large doorway arches. Talk about your inconvenient truth....

    As much assault as we see happening on the spirit of prayer and the God-loving nature of America, examples like Principal MsLeod and the tradition of daily prayer in our halls of government serve to remind us how that spirit is still very strong in America. The assaults will, I believe, ultimately fail. It's in our nature as a nation to overcome such things.

    A.McSp

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  12. One of the great things about Christianity is that a faithful person can pray at any time in any situation. There is no need for any pomp and circumstance, no prayer rugs or wailing required. I've prayed in the most unorthodox places and at the most unusual times, but without alerting others to what I was doing.

    Those of us who are Christians (or like myself, an aspiring Christian) should always remember that Christians have been persecuted for millenia. Did Christians die out or lose faith? No, they merely learned to practice their faith in stealth mode. The USSR, China, ancient Rome, Saudi Arabia and many other countries have tried to kill us off and/or make our lives miserable, but Christianity has always survived and so it will here in America.

    We may be forced underground, but we will prevail. It's God's will through Jesus Christ.

    Anonymous Patriot
    USA

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  13. It's true. Heard about it from wallbuilders.org some time ago. The ADF is fighting it in court though, and are apparently making some headway.

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  14. Well alright then A.P. I am believing you to do as you claim. I only wanted to remind you of Peter's failure. He was right there on that last evening together with Christ. He swore on everything sacred that he would hold fast. His failure or humanity still chokes me up when I think on it. The Mercy of Christ Is a beautiful thing!

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