Any schools other than Nashville ban student led prayer?

[polksalet]

Thoughts?

[OB11]

Are you talking about just at athletic events or school in general?

[Jack1990]

Wow Polksalet...when did ya'll do that?  We couldn't have any prayer for years and just started having student led prayer this past season. 

[polksalet]

Wow Polksalet...when did ya'll do that?  We couldn't have any prayer for years and just started having student led prayer this past season.

Apparently this happened in last 2 days. They're citing the Supreme Court.

[Jack1990]

I hate to hear that.  Took us years and a change of administration to get ours to allow it.  The first game we had prayer return it led to an standing ovation.  Had students begging to lead the prayer before the games. 

[purpleswag]

More than likely someone complained and the administration buckled. I have never been to a school that didn't pray.

[AirWarren]

I hate to hear that.  Took us years and a change of administration to get ours to allow it.  The first game we had prayer return it led to an standing ovation.  Had students begging to lead the prayer before the games. 

That's the way it should be.

[OB11]

I honestly can't ever remember a student leading the prayer before a game.  It was always an administrator or a member of the community.  Usually a preacher. 

[SUGARTOWN]

Stuttgart's had students lead the prayer for quite a few years now, usually a cheerleader.

[hogdiggity]

I hear Nashville is having some difficulties with a local Satanic group.  I would bet this is the source of the issue.  If you give a Christian kid the ability to lead prayer, you have to give equal time to the Satanic kids, Muslim kids etc.

From what I hear it all started by a decision to let the Gideon's come in and give out bibles to the 7th grade, I think.  Then the Satanic group wanted to give out their literature.

The easy thing to do is cave in, and quit it all.  Sounds like ole Doug has chosen that route.

[KASH dba The Lumberjack]

It's terrible that we have become so weak in this PC world that we always have to cater to two or three people, rather than letting a thousand enjoy themselves for two minutes.
I was extremely proud when we started having students lead prayer again. Should have never stopped letting preachers pray honestly because that's what the majority wanted.
Guess I'm going to start suing my family when I want to eat Chinese food but the three of them choose Mexican. Oh the audacity of Democracy...

[AirWarren]

It's terrible that we have become so weak in this PC world that we always have to cater to two or three people, rather than letting a thousand enjoy themselves for two minutes.
I was extremely proud when we started having students lead prayer again. Should have never stopped letting preachers pray honestly because that's what the majority wanted.
Guess I'm going to start suing my family when I want to eat Chinese food but the three of them choose Mexican. Oh the audacity of Democracy...

Don't let the Arkansas Times get wind of the Lumberjack Boosters selling tacos at a soccer game. You will have the ACLU in Warren as fast as you can spell ACLU.


We live in a very sensitive world where people have access to social media(the world) to let the world know they are offended and rally all their sad sack offendee's right along with them.

[GotInfo?]

I've been to several HS games where they get around it by having a moment of silence instead of a prayer. 

[hogdiggity]

The way we now do it after the hubabaloo in Ashdown last year is, a student is selected to give a greeting before the game.  This is a time of "self expression".  If that student chooses to pray that is their first amendment right.  They can ask the fans to participate if they would like.  Whether the fan chooses to express their own beliefs to themselves that is their decision.

If you are a member of the FCA, they will back you on this all the way through court.  We had lawyers from all over the country volunteering to assist us if necessary.  But the biggest thing was, our KIDS wanted the prayer and were not going to be stopped, they stood up for what they believe.  Our stands now empty before a home football game for prayer at mid field, and overwhelmingly the visitors join, fans and athletes.

[AirWarren]

The way we now do it after the hubabaloo in Ashdown last year is, a student is selected to give a greeting before the game.  This is a time of "self expression".  If that student chooses to pray that is their first amendment right.  They can ask the fans to participate if they would like.  Whether the fan chooses to express their own beliefs to themselves that is their decision.

If you are a member of the FCA, they will back you on this all the way through court.  We had lawyers from all over the country volunteering to assist us if necessary.  But the biggest thing was, our KIDS wanted the prayer and were not going to be stopped, they stood up for what they believe.  Our stands now empty before a home football game for prayer at mid field, and overwhelmingly the visitors join, fans and athletes.

Awesome stuff right there.

[Jack1990]

The way we now do it after the hubabaloo in Ashdown last year is, a student is selected to give a greeting before the game.  This is a time of "self expression".  If that student chooses to pray that is their first amendment right.  They can ask the fans to participate if they would like.  Whether the fan chooses to express their own beliefs to themselves that is their decision.

If you are a member of the FCA, they will back you on this all the way through court.  We had lawyers from all over the country volunteering to assist us if necessary.  But the biggest thing was, our KIDS wanted the prayer and were not going to be stopped, they stood up for what they believe.  Our stands now empty before a home football game for prayer at mid field, and overwhelmingly the visitors join, fans and athletes.

That is absolutely fantastic!  We salute you!

[beach bum]

This is one of those things where no harm is being done whatsoever. Using religions to base laws is one thing I am not in fond of. This is very different, here no one is being forced to participate or any of that. No one is being forced even remotely. I told this story before..... I attended a game last year where a kid had cancer in the community where the game was. Before the game they had a prayer/moment of silence then said they would be collecting donations by passing buckets around. They collected thousands of dollars for the family just that one night. Even though I am non religious those things to me are part of the routine of what you expect and its kind of strange to me when that routine is thrown off. If you can bring people together to help with a cause with your prayer/moment of silence thats great. I enjoy seeing others get help in a time of need and using those before a game to accomplish aiding others is something I like to see. Seeing that famIily happy and appreciative was priceless. This is just too much as no one is forced to participate. I see both sides as the case of one religion over the other. Its a very delicate balance. Whether religious or non religious we should all care about others as much as we care about ourselves and everything will be great! I don't know about any of you all but I tried living selfish for too long in my life and there was no fulfillment like there is like when you get the chance to help others.

[Oldbadger]

I hear Nashville is having some difficulties with a local Satanic group.  I would bet this is the source of the issue.  If you give a Christian kid the ability to lead prayer, you have to give equal time to the Satanic kids, Muslim kids etc.

From what I hear it all started by a decision to let the Gideon's come in and give out bibles to the 7th grade, I think.  Then the Satanic group wanted to give out their literature.

The easy thing to do is cave in, and quit it all.  Sounds like ole Doug has chosen that route.

What is ironic is for one to be Satanic, or believe in Satan, one must believe there is a God!

[nuttinbuthogs]

It's a shame what we have allowed the courts to tell us we may or may not do.  A country founded on Christian principle and we don't want to allow prayer.   My understanding was prayer was allowed as long as it was student led and it was not planned by the school administration.  I think even that is a terrible revelation about where our country has gone. Oh, I may have just failed to be PC.

[AirWarren]

It's a shame what we have allowed the courts to tell us we may or may not do.  A country founded on Christian principle and we don't want to allow prayer.   My understanding was prayer was allowed as long as it was student led and it was not planned by the school administration.  I think even that is a terrible revelation about where our country has gone. Oh, I may have just failed to be PC.

Clinton.
Uncle Bernie.
Donald trump.



That shows you were our country is mentally.

[Oldbadger]

Amen to that.

[nuttinbuthogs]

People are generally tired of do nothing, lying politicians.  The republicans have had an opportunity to take action for the past couple of years but no leadership, no backbone has meant they caved every time on every issue. So here comes a couple of seemingly straight talking outsiders, (Although how a guy who has been a senator for 25 years is an outsider is beyond me), and the people like it.

[AirWarren]

People are generally tired of do nothing, lying politicians.  The republicans have had an opportunity to take action for the past couple of years but no leadership, no backbone has meant they caved every time on every issue. So here comes a couple of seemingly straight talking outsiders, (Although how a guy who has been a senator for 25 years is an outsider is beyond me), and the people like it.

Clinton. Liar.
Uncle Bernie. Socialist.
The Donald. WWF/WWE star.

Way to go America.

[LakeRat]

It's terrible that we have become so weak in this PC world that we always have to cater to two or three people, rather than letting a thousand enjoy themselves for two minutes.
I was extremely proud when we started having students lead prayer again. Should have never stopped letting preachers pray honestly because that's what the majority wanted.
Guess I'm going to start suing my family when I want to eat Chinese food but the three of them choose Mexican. Oh the audacity of Democracy...

The challenge with true freedom comes with the responsibility to apply and allow it without exclusion... That includes those two, three or however many folks that do not represent the majority for which you claim are being "catered" to.

As another post mentioned... designating a period for a "moment of silence" allows for all parties in attendance to exercise their personal freedom of expression without exclusion. During which one can pray, meditate, dance or play pocket pool in any way the desire. All are served.

That's not political correctness, it's just be respectful and inclusive to all.

[Lumberjackfan1978]

I am proud that we started having prayer again, I Hope our students will continue to want to do this in our community as long as it is lead by students it's their right I agree with Kash should have never stopped letting preachers pray

[Oldbadger]

Someone tell me a religion that doesn't pray.  They all do.  They pray to God.  Their interpretation of who God is may be different, but they all pray to a God.  So, why can't someone pray to God, and not mention Jesus, or Muhammed or any of those.  Most people i hear pray at sports events or other school events, pray that all the visitors make it home safely, and that the competitors are kept safe. They don't pray that if you haven't been submerged during baptism that they can't pray for you (XXXXXXXXXXXXX,there, got that straight), we Methodists are more symbolic. They don't try to convince the public to come over to their way of believing. If the person who prays mentions only God and doesn't try to convince others of their beliefs, i can't see any problem.

[WPWells]

Someone tell me a religion that doesn't pray.  They all do.  They pray to God.  Their interpretation of who God is may be different, but they all pray to a God.  So, why can't someone pray to God, and not mention Jesus, or Muhammed or any of those.  Most people i hear pray at sports events or other school events, pray that all the visitors make it home safely, and that the competitors are kept safe. They don't pray that if you haven't been submerged during baptism that they can't pray for you (Sorry Baptists, no offense), we Methodists are more symbolic. They don't try to convince the public to come over to their way of believing. If the person who prays mentions only God and doesn't try to convince others of their beliefs, i can't see any problem.

I knew there was something I liked about you

[KASH dba The Lumberjack]

The challenge with true freedom comes with the responsibility to apply and allow it without exclusion... That includes those two, three or however many folks that do not represent the majority for which you claim are being "catered" to.

As another post mentioned... designating a period for a "moment of silence" allows for all parties in attendance to exercise their personal freedom of expression without exclusion. During which one can pray, meditate, dance or play pocket pool in any way the desire. All are served.

That's not political correctness, it's just be respectful and inclusive to all.

That's the exact definition of political correctness. Nobody is meaning to disrespect those few that don't agree with prayer. Disagreeing with those two or three that don't want prayer isn't disrespecting them, it's disagreeing.
The majority voted that a moment of prayer or inner reflection is wanted. That's democracy at its best. If the minority doesn't like it, then go out, state your case, get people to follow your ideas, then become the new majority and vote again. It's a shame that we let the threat of a lawsuit from someone who doesn't agree with us take away our freedom and make us cater to a select few.
I'm going to make a new law just for me then, since I prefer brunette women. My preference is going to allow me to not heed stop signs or red lights. My preference gives me the right to want whatever I feel. No matter the consequences, the color of hair that I like best is the reason for my new freedom. If I hereby crash into anyone at said intersection, the responsibility falls solely upon anyone but me because my preference supersedes any and all other preferences, making me, the minority which is always correct. Now, if we have any notaries that post on here, let my words become the law of the land so that my little feelings don't get hurt from someone disagreeing that stop signs are safe and help traffic move along as it should.
Come on people...

[beach bum]

Someone tell me a religion that doesn't pray.  They all do.  They pray to God.  Their interpretation of who God is may be different, but they all pray to a God.  So, why can't someone pray to God, and not mention Jesus, or Muhammed or any of those.  Most people i hear pray at sports events or other school events, pray that all the visitors make it home safely, and that the competitors are kept safe. They don't pray that if you haven't been submerged during baptism that they can't pray for you (XXXXXXXXXXXXX,there, got that straight), we Methodists are more symbolic. They don't try to convince the public to come over to their way of believing. If the person who prays mentions only God and doesn't try to convince others of their beliefs, i can't see any problem.

This whole post I can definitely respect and think is great although they are not my personal beliefs. I always believe civil minded people can come to a happy mutual agreement that will make MOST everyone on both sides happy. There will always be extremes on both sides who won't budge one bit for the happiness of the group however.....+1 Oldbadger

[nuttinbuthogs]

Majority rule, except when it is not PC!  I get tired of letting the minority rule under the guise of not infringing on someones civil rights.  When you cant have the bible in the school house but it is in the Congress, something doesn't seem correct.

[Dayton Kitchens]

Apparently this happened in last 2 days. They're citing the Supreme Court.

Prayers at school events are perfectly legal in Arkansas (not in Texas).    Student led or by religious figures.

[cuckoobird]

This is one of those things where no harm is being done whatsoever. Using religions to base laws is one thing I am not in fond of. This is very different, here no one is being forced to participate or any of that. No one is being forced even remotely. I told this story before..... I attended a game last year where a kid had cancer in the community where the game was. Before the game they had a prayer/moment of silence then said they would be collecting donations by passing buckets around. They collected thousands of dollars for the family just that one night. Even though I am non religious those things to me are part of the routine of what you expect and its kind of strange to me when that routine is thrown off. If you can bring people together to help with a cause with your prayer/moment of silence thats great. I enjoy seeing others get help in a time of need and using those before a game to accomplish aiding others is something I like to see. Seeing that famIily happy and appreciative was priceless. This is just too much as no one is forced to participate. I see both sides as the case of one religion over the other. Its a very delicate balance. Whether religious or non religious we should all care about others as much as we care about ourselves and everything will be great! I don't know about any of you all but I tried living selfish for too long in my life and there was no fulfillment like there is like when you get the chance to help others.

Most of our laws were all based under the Christian belief. However, they do not specify a government religion