Thursday, October 28, 2010

High School Principal Responds to "No Prayer" Law

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We received this message late yesterday afternoon from a reader:
"I noted a correction that needs to be addressed on the 2010 Candidate Information Sheet. In Washington State House, District 16, Position 1, Brenda High is running as "Constitution Party" ("C" or "CP") not Republican ("R"). I happen to know Brenda personally and so took special note of that race. Brenda has indeed been active in the Republican Party for many years, but when she decided to run against the liberal incumbent Republican earlier this year, she decided that the Constitution Party best represented her views and so decided to run under that banner. Sorry to be picky. I can't begin to appreciate the hours that have gone into compiling such a voter guide. Nevertheless, someone will always come along and find the one error to address. "
Be vigilant and aware. Stories of voter fraud and irregularities continue. I have linked a few of them from yesterday.
CHICAGOLAND: 'Glitch' with vote-by-mail system; Hundreds of thousands may be disenfranchised...
Daytona Beach Commissioner Charged With Absentee Ballot Fraud...

Lawmakers May Probe Late Military Ballots...
Residents cry foul over ballots in PA...
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High School Principal Responds to "No Prayer" Law

I had heard that a certain high school principal had taken an extra ordinary step in responding to the ban on public prayer at their high school football games.

I contacted the high school yesterday and had a great visit with Lisa Roberts, who works in the administration office at Roane County High School in Kingston, Tennessee. I told her what I had heard and she said, "Oh yes, that is very true. I was there and have worked with the principal for many years."

I asked what, if any consequences resulted in the principal's action. She said there were no negative actions taken toward him and he has since been promoted within the district.

Now I know that Roane County is not King County and Kingston is not Seattle or Spokane or Tacoma or Olympia or Yakima or Tricities or Vancouver----but just take a deep breath, read his words and the response of the audience and imagine.

Principal Jody McCleod had been told he could no longer legally read the traditional prayer over the loud speaker before each home football game. On this night he stepped up the mic and read the following:

"It has been the custom at Roane County High School 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 alternative 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 anyone 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 is not against the law---yet."

I was told that people in the stands bowed their heads and began to pray. Lisa told me she was among them. They held hands with one another. They stood, they praised God with a loud voice. The teams prayed, those in the concession stands prayed and they prayed in the announcer's box.

I remember a time here in Washington when prayers in my public school in the Yakima Valley were not questioned or challenged or scorned or mocked.

Not that we would want to go "back" to anything, but one wonders if God was retained in public life as He was during the first hundred or more years of this Republic, what a better life our children and grandchildren could experience.

Imagine.
Be Vigilant. Be Prayerful. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Blessed.
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Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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