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Anyone who has studied history knows the United States of America was founded as a Judeo-Christian nation. You can not read the numerous quotations of our founding fathers without coming to that conclusion. Children learned to read and write using the Bible as their text book. Many American college were founded by Christian orders.
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution reflects the understanding by the founding fathers of the importance of faith in the lives of people and nations. The Bill of Rights states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF…”
That seems pretty clear. The Federal government is prohibited from establishing a particular religion and it is prohibited from interfering with individual citizens’ religious activity. So how can a person today be committing a crime by saying grace?
Incredibly, a Santa Rosa Florida high school principal and athletic director are facing criminal contempt charges because they offered a simple prayer of blessing of a meal at a Field House Appreciation Luncheon for adults who helped the field house project. The ACLU filed a law suit which led to the U.S. Attorney prosecuting them criminally for the mealtime prayer. Trial is scheduled to begin on September 17 and if convicted they face up to 6 months in jail and a fine of $5,000.
In addition, the School District agreed to an order fashioned by the ACLU, which essentially bans all employees from engaging in prayer or religious activities, whether before, during, or after school hours. (See www.LC.org for the full story.) How have Americans allowed groups like the ACLU and the courts to flagrantly violate the clear language in the Constitution?
Thomas Jefferson said, "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis - a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God"
One must ask today if the liberties of America are secure? The answer is frightening.
Okay, I'll bite. I think you are right in that the founding father's were Christians and that the words and ideas they used and personified were footed in the Christian ethic. But, more importantly, they did not think that rulers derived their positions through divine right. And it is this belief that led them to separate church and state and to leave power in the hands of the people and not in the hands of a ruler ordained by God. The US Constitution blankets all citizens and those include students as well as principals and athletic directors. The law states that the government cannot dictate religion, and so it logically follows that it cannot dictate religion out. I may be wrong, because I was not there (nor do I think the ACLU was there) but I do not believe that those educators MADE anyone participate in their prayer. The expectation for respect of others should have been there, but a mandate for everyone present to participate was certainly not there. And as much as I find it offensive and treasonous to burn a US flag in demonstration, I would not file suit against someone who did nor would I endorse such an action . It follows logically that people who gather together in a society whose majority is Christian may want to pray together for unity is extremely important to all religions. However, all religions that I have studied teach respect of others and some sort of "golden rule" and it is in these rules that we will find tolerance and the ability to accept the differences of others. The ACLU is overstepping the parameters of the intentions of the founding fathers and in doing so is usurping the liberties of the very people they purport to represent. Watering down the intentions of the founding fathers is nothing new...and with this issue there is clear and obvious intent to do just that as well as to misrepresent the letter and spirit of the 2nd amendment.
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