This seems to go along with the general direction of this section and it represents my views on many issues 100%. I got this via email today and wanted to share. This is an eye opening example of our rights being eroded a little at a time as it relates to religion. Without further adieu here it is;

Paul Harvey says:

I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin , but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game.

So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue.

Yes, and this is the United States of America , a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect -- somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem , I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad , I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

If I went to a ping pong match in China , I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn't be offended.
It wouldn't bother me one bit.
When in Rome ...

But what about the atheists? Is another argument.

What about them?
Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating; to pray before we go to sleep.

Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a
handful of people and their lawyers are telling us
to cease praying.

God, help us.
And if that last sentence offends you, well . .. just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we let that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority don't care what they want. It is time the majority rules! It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray; you don't have to say the pledge of allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right ... But by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back ...
and we WILL WIN!

God bless us one and all ... especially those who denounce Him , God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all.

So your saying Christians need special treatment? A don’t buy it. Everyone is subject to the law, having a certain religious belief gives you no special privileges. You can pray all you want to, if they outlaw it, just break the law, but I doubt that will happen. I think most laws that my pass will negate bias religious ceremony in public places.

No one said we need special treatment, maybe I did not do a good enough of job of making myself clear here. Christians should have EQUAL rights to practice their religion. I couldnt Agree more "Everyone is subject to the law".

My point is this, christians are being discriminated against. The pledge is outlawed in school now "one nation under god" is offensive to someone. (Need I remind you how long the pledge has been said, and that it was not an issue before the last 15 years when immigrants decided to rewrite our laws )

As much as I dislike this man President Clinton said it best

"Nothing in the First Amendment converts our public schools into religion-free zones, or requires all religious expression to be left behind at the schoolhouse door. While the government may not use schools to coerce the consciences of our students, or to convey official endorsement of religion, the public schools also may not discriminate against private religious expression during the school day.
Religion is too important in our history and our heritage for us to keep it out of our schools...[i]t shouldn't be demanded, but as long as it is not sponsored by school officials and doesn't interfere with other children's rights, it mustn't be denied."

No one is forcing you to say the pledge. Praying at a football game offended the jewish people or the muslims we cant to do that anymore. Tell me how Christians are being treated fairly and equally under the law. If a jewish person said a prayer in public and was asked to stop because he was offending someone that person would be branded "Anti Semetic" and probably sued. If one of the muslims I work with (and respect) was told "im sorry Ahmager you cant place your rug down facing mecca and pray anymore someone finds it offensive." Would this be fair and just? This country used to have thick enough skin for all and it was made of stronger metal where people didnt get offended at the drop of a hat or sue for everything. I want my Country back.

If my son wants to be able to pray before he eats lunch at school he is told he can not because someone finds it offensive. You cant wear Crosses at some schools now, nor give out Christmas cards or you get expelled. Someone has to draw the line between "Im offending you because your beliefs differ from my own" and "Your violating my rights to practice my religion. That was my point. People in this country need to except diffrences in others (its what made this country great) instead of trying to outlaw everything that does not fit into their perfect code of ethics. This country was great once and still is to some extent but the erosion of personal freedoms, the intolerance for anyones beliefs but their own has brought this country low.

If you dont see the double standard here I will go to greater lengths to explain it better my friend. Equal treatment is all I want. This nation is fast becoming "One nation under politically correct" regardless of the way it flagrantly disregards my rights or my sons right to stand up for and practice what we believe.

Chesty

Doesn't God have more important things to do than cause the opposing team to fumble?

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Are you kidding? God is a mean kid with a magnifying glass

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"one nation under god"
I can’t support that because those who are not God worshiping were saying the pledge of Allegiance for a long time, until suddenly in the fifties it was decided to put under God into the pledge, therefore alienating those who said this pledge to their country for patriotic reasons.

I think people should do their prayers in private before the game starts. How about before the game starts give me 30 seconds to read my favorite section from the Communist Manifesto? Make the entire match wait for me to read outloud the part about "workers of the world unite!!!!"

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Not to mention that the philosophy that our country was founded on was primarily coming from Deist literature and science that took God to simply be nature and impersonal.

So your saying, my son can not wear his cross to school? Pray before he eats his lunch in the cafeteria or give a Chrismas card to another christian without fear of being expelled.

Im not saying the govt should advocate Christianity as our national religion. I also believe in the seperation of church and state. What I dont believe in is
limiting personal freedoms on a religious level. I dont care if your Christian, Muslim, hindu or anything else. You have the right to practice your beliefs and show your faith without being expelled from school regardless of your specific faith

This country used to have thick enough skin for all and it was made of stronger metal where people didnt get offended at the drop of a hat or sue for everything. I want my Country back!

I missed anyone on this thread arguing in favor of what you said:

* my son can not wear his cross to school?

* Pray before he eats his lunch in the cafeteria

* give a Chrismas card to another christian without fear for being expelled.

__________________
"Of course the fact that a person believes in racial equality doesn't prove that he's a communist...but it certainly makes you look twice, doesn't it? You can't get away from the fact that racial equality is part of the communist line." - Joseph McCarthy

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