Jody McLoud
When I attended a high school football game two weeks ago, I recalled the fact that a public prayer was offered before such games when I was in high school (back when people wrote by chiseling on stone tablets). It didn’t particularly surprise me that, in the current era, a prayer offered before a game over the PA system would be frowned upon. So I decided to do some research and see if anyone still had the fortitude to swim against the tide of political assault on free speech and religion and offer such prayers. Guess what I found?
In the year 2000, the Supreme Court, in its infinite wisdom (tongue firmly in cheek), upheld the ruling of Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe that “leading prayers on school property, at school sponsored events, over the school’s public address system, by a speaker representing the student body, under the supervision of school faculty” was in fact a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. And as Queen would say, “Another one bites the dust!”
Now the good news, Roane County High School principal, Jody McLoud, was not cowered nor intimidated by the ruling of the 9 Wise Souls (tongue firmly in cheek again). On the night of September 1, 2000, the eleven year leader of the 740 student school delivered this address over the public address system before the game commenced:
"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 lifestyle, 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 religiously worship and praise the goddess, mother earth, and call it ecology. I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict 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 ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be at best, inconsistent 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 at best, inconsistent 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."
I say, “Jody McLoud for president in 2008!”
In the year 2000, the Supreme Court, in its infinite wisdom (tongue firmly in cheek), upheld the ruling of Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe that “leading prayers on school property, at school sponsored events, over the school’s public address system, by a speaker representing the student body, under the supervision of school faculty” was in fact a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. And as Queen would say, “Another one bites the dust!”
Now the good news, Roane County High School principal, Jody McLoud, was not cowered nor intimidated by the ruling of the 9 Wise Souls (tongue firmly in cheek again). On the night of September 1, 2000, the eleven year leader of the 740 student school delivered this address over the public address system before the game commenced:
"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 lifestyle, 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 religiously worship and praise the goddess, mother earth, and call it ecology. I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict 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 ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be at best, inconsistent 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 at best, inconsistent 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."
I say, “Jody McLoud for president in 2008!”
Sandy (Comment this)