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Faith

Hundreds of Christians Hold ‘Rally to Pray’ to Defend High School Football Coach Against Atheist Attacks

Sep. 10, 2012 12:47pm

In August, TheBlaze told you about the battle unfolding in LaFayette, Georgia, between a high school football coach and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), an atheist-activist non-profit. As we originally reported, the organization is taking the coach to task, claiming that he violated the First Amendment by allowing local churches to prepare meals for team members. Now — the local community is coming to his defense, using prayer as a tool to defeat the group.

The FFRF claimed in an initial letter that was sent to the school that Ridgeland High School coach Mark Mariakis prayed with the football players, used Bible verses in motivational speeches and on team shirts and took part on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a faith-based organization.

The group also said that a minister typically delivers Christian-themed remarks to the players — another violation that has the activists fired up. The FFRF and its supporters want these practices to be ceased. But, believers and supporters of Mariakis aren’t taking the group’s demands lightly.

FFRF Responds to

Ridgeland High School coach Mark Mariakis (Credit: Facebook)

Hundreds of residents gathered in Walker County over the weekend to defend Mariakis, the football coach at Ridgeland High School who has become the focus of atheists’ attacks. Rather than backing down to the group, these individuals are doubling down and supporting the embattled coach.

“I love God and I think it’s very important in our life because it just makes you a better person in general,” Ridgeland sophomore Ally Johnson said during the event.

Mariakis, too, is defending himself. While addressing the audience at the supportive prayer rally, he said, “We’re not called to change the world but we’re called to share the gospel and that that gospel will change lives.”

WDEF-TV has more about this intriguing story:

The battle between atheists and the school district commenced in August, when an anonymous source allegedly complained to the FFRF over the meals that local churches provide the team. A legal representative for the group sent a letter to the district, demanding that the practice be halted.

“Taking public school football teams to church, even for a meal, is unconstitutional,” FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel wrote in the first letter that was sent to the district. “This program is an egregious violation of the Establishment Clause and must cease immediately.”

It didn’t take long for the FFRF to send a second letter just days later, also penned by Seidel. In it, he wrote, “It has come to our attention that Walker County Schools has received an outpouring of ‘support,’ including a number of Facebook pages that confirm some of our original allegations and point out additional constitutional violations.”

The letter goes on to highlight some comments on the “Support Coach Mariakis” Facebook page that seem to indicate that the coach did, indeed, speak about God frequently.

“Public high school teams cannot appoint or employ a chaplain, seek out a spiritual leader for the team, or agree to have a volunteer team chaplain because public schools may not advance or promote religion,” Seidel added in the latest letter, dated August 27th.

The conservative Liberty Council has offered to help the district, should a legal battle unfold. There’s no telling where the case will go next, but, at the moment, it seems the community is prepared to fight against atheists’ demands.

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Comments (182)

1 2 3
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:50pm

    i live in a rural part of Texas,and when by the time the players football or any other groups gets back home what couple of restaurants that are here are closed,so the church feeds the kids, they are not forcing any belief on anyone just feeding them,and besides most of the parents go to one the different churches here and they also attend it is not one church but several that feed them and no one is forced to do anything all they have to do is eat and go home and they don’t even have to stay and eat,they can take it with them,if an atheist group offered we would not have a problem,but they have not offered but the sure want to gripe about others feeding the communities kids,we don’t care what your religion is we are just trying to feed them

    Report this comment

    commonsenseguy  
    • txannie
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 3:49pm

      Also from rural Texas….our churches are small and not all have kitchen facilities. Again, when the teams get back the restaurants are closed. The parents of the kids with the permission of the churches usually have a meal for the kids. The kids are of ANY and ALL or NO denominations. They are welcome to say Grace before eating or not. Whatever church feeds them that time offers any councelors if needed and any answers should the kids have questions. We are not kidnapping the kids and force feeding them religion. It’a called being a community and supporting our community. Something these freedomfromreligionjerks cannot fathom and they need to mind their own business and stay out of ours.

      Report this comment

      txannie  
    • Hanner
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 5:47pm

      I keep wondering why the coach is forbidden to practice his own personal religion just because he works at a public school. Is he supposed to leave God in the parking lot? What if this man’s faith in God is what actually causes him to say prayer over all those boys before a game? He certainly doesn’t have to make them pray, but if he feels a personal conviction to do so, then why is he not allowed? Where is this coaches 1st Amendment rights?? Where does the state or anyone else get the authority to squash this coaches rights? Just wondering….. As for the churches feeding these boys after the game…God bless them, and God bless this community for standing up!! I just hope the cowardly elected officials of this community don’t buckle for fear of a lawsuit. That is where the true danger lies.

      Report this comment

      Hanner  
    • Locked
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:25am

      “they are not forcing any belief on anyone just feeding them”

      Just to be clear, the church does not offer prayers, nor grace, nor any mention of God?

      Then there’s likely no problem. Unlike this case.

      “I keep wondering why the coach is forbidden to practice his own personal religion just because he works at a public school. Is he supposed to leave God in the parking lot?”

      As soon as he steps into the role of a public teacher or employee, he is not allowed to use that role to proselytize. That includes taking kids to a location where they will be prayed to.

      I feel like like a lot of people are getting the wrong idea. There’s nothing inherently wrong with taking the kids to a church that’s offering meals, as long as the church is not using the opportunity to push their faith on the kids. But the coach did much more than that: he used scripture in his speeches, held prayer with the prayers, and put biblical verses on their uniforms. In a public school that is unconstitutional. I wouldn’t want a coach giving the student Koran verses, or telling them before every game “There’s no God, so if you pray you’re a moron.” Faith is personal; and in public schools, it needs to stay that way.

      If the coach is called to spread the Gospel, he can do so outside of schools where kids are a captive audience unable to refute, debate, or escape him. If he can’t, he should not be a coach.

      Report this comment

      Locked  
    • JediKnight
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 2:04pm

      @Locked “If the coach is called to spread the Gospel, he can do so outside of schools where kids are a captive audience unable to refute, debate, or escape him. If he can’t, he should not be a coach.”

      You want us to keep God in a box (keep him in church on sunday’s or to yourself). That is what you’ve effectively said right here:

      “As soon as he steps into the role of a public teacher or employee, he is not allowed to use that role to proselytize. That includes taking kids to a location where they will be prayed to. ”

      Well, we won’t do it. Not anymore. Not when we have teachers getting suspended for wearing a cross (yes, that happened). “Congress shall make no law”. No law has been made. Public school teacher or not, there is nothing in the Constitution that forces him to leave God at the door when he teaches. And yes, I would say that not only do I disagree with most of the SCOTUS rulings on this, but that most of them have been wrong. You seem to present the argument that we have to accept the SCOTUS rulings on these issues. We do not.

      Praying and thanking God for a meal is not the same thing as being prayed to. And even if it were, it makes no difference. No one is forcing them to believe any of it.

      This is once again a few individuals who are trying to force a majority of people to do what they (the minority) want. The FFRF wants all religion banished from the public square.

      Report this comment

      JediKnight  
    • Docrow
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 2:27pm

      ……and Freedom From Religion Foundation has offered to help feed these kids in an alternative place. That’s so very nice of them…..

      Report this comment

      Docrow  
  • Twinspeedr
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:47pm

    Praise God!

    His people are standing up to the unwitting disciples of Amalek who want everyone to believe that our lives are just as meaningless as they THINK theirs are. NO! We MUST pray, it is how we connect ourselves with the Creator. We know who we are, we know who YHVH our God is, and you will NEVER be able to take that away from a society of believers. We should all pray for the Atheists, maybe some day they will realize; that hole in our heart is not meant to be filled with the things of man and this world, it is meant to be filled with a love of YHVH our Elohim.

    Report this comment

    Twinspeedr  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:45pm

    It’s not about freedom at all, it’s all about control and always has been.

    Report this comment

    Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:55pm

      totally agree, what is the old saying do as i say the left want to force us to give up what we believe in and to follow their beliefs but they don’t want us forcing our beliefs on them.i believe in god,the left believes in nothing,so if they think nothing is going to help them and guide them then so be,but don’t expect me to believe in the same religion. and yes that is what i called it,if you believe in something it is a form of religion.

      Report this comment

      commonsenseguy  
    • Nepenthe
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 3:14pm

      In this case, it is about the Constitution of The United States of America as well as the New Testament showing a complete separation of the Christian Church from the State aparatus.

      Report this comment

      Nepenthe  
    • TulsaYeeHaw
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 3:30pm

      Which seperation is that? The part that states the “nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof?”

      STOP LYING. THERE IS NO SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IN OUR CONSTITUTION.

      It was the constitution of the ussr.

      Report this comment

      TulsaYeeHaw  
    • Nepenthe
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 3:46pm

      As a direct State representative, by asking those under his charge to pray he is establishing a religion that must be complied with by team members.

      Report this comment

      Nepenthe  
    • usedCZARsalesman
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 4:40pm

      So what you are saying is that this coach is CONGRESS, and his prayer is a LAW that others are now being held to that suppresses others’ free expression of religion? Now that I have applied what you said directly to the first amendment, do you see how stupid you sound?

      Report this comment

      usedCZARsalesman  
    • Locked
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:28am

      @Tulsa

      “STOP LYING. THERE IS NO SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IN OUR CONSTITUTION.”

      Stop lying yourself. There is a clear separation of church and state through the legal interpretation of the first amendment by the Supreme Court.

      Those who argue otherwise are saying one of the following:
      1. I don’t believe in the power of arbitration that belongs to the Supreme Court. Ergo, I believe the US has been governed incorrectly for over two hundred years
      2. I don’t believe in the rulings of the Supreme Court in regards to the separation of church and state. But, I realize that they’re legal. I just don’t like it.
      3. I don’t believe in the rulings of the Supreme Court in regards to the separation of church and state. I also don’t think they’re legal. I’m either a moron, have no grasp of reality and/or politics or I’m a treasonous snake who wishes to overthrow the legal structure of the United States.

      Feel free to take your pick. I’m hoping for two, but leaning toward three in your case.

      Report this comment

      Locked  
    • Locked
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:31am

      @Used

      “So what you are saying is that this coach is CONGRESS, and his prayer is a LAW that others are now being held to that suppresses others’ free expression of religion?”

      Incorrect assumption. The coach is a public employee, thus in employed by the state, which makes him a member of the government. As such he is beholden to rulings on government.

      If he disagrees, he can obviously leave his government position and join a private school.

      Report this comment

      Locked  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:44pm

    GOD BLESS YOU COACH, the young men under your care and the coaches who work with you. Stand firm and know our GOD IS SMILING ON you!

    Report this comment

    kickagrandma  
  • Coredestroy
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:44pm

    As a christian coach I never use religious terminology on the field. I live it, and abide by it, and hopefully that sends a message to those I’m in charge of, but I don’t feel the need to sell it to everyone I interact with. Just like the person who turns every conversation into some argument about a social issue. Every time my neighbor talks to me he brings up politics, why? Because he has an agenda and feels that every conversation is a chance to voice his ideas.

    Everyone knows that coaching involves a lot more than just teaching the rules and tactics of play; however, the locker room is not really the correct venue to preach. It is absurd that players can’t have meals made by the local church because that leads to other issues, like buying uniforms from the local sports store whose owner is pro-abortion, or getting donations from community members who are muslim, have ADD, or are right-wing left-handed dentists. Those guys could be dangerous.

    Report this comment

    Coredestroy  
    • Locked
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:38am

      Your post is by far the most logical and reasonable that I’ve read here thus far. As a Christian I completely agree with your stance!

      Report this comment

      Locked  
  • 00100111
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:43pm

    To atheists, it is inappropriate to worship any other God before govt and Obama.

    Report this comment

    00100111  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 4:39pm

      Just because a person identifies as a non-believer, that doesn’t mean they worship “the governent” or Owebama. Quality facts are accurate facts.

      Report this comment

      DeavonReye  
  • barber2
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:43pm

    Sure. Looking back at my life, I can fondly remember the inspiring, positive atheists who influenced me…..

    Report this comment

    barber2  
    • wvernon1981
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:46pm

      As an atheist, I’m glad my nephew will have me to be a positive atheist influence.

      Report this comment

      wvernon1981  
    • grayling646
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:49pm

      OK!!! Who said that!? Who said that’s an oxymoron!?

      Report this comment

      grayling646  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:51pm

      VERN: I was being sarcastic.

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • AndYetItMoves
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:53pm

      This is likely because you didn’t look at the names of the people that authored your textbooks.

      Report this comment

      AndYetItMoves  
    • mcsledge
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:58pm

      wvernon1981 – Maybe you can share with us the values and principles you are demonstrating to your nephew. I, for one, believe that everyone has the right to believe or not to believe. But, it is one thing to not believe and it is another to show hatred and intollerance towards those who believe. Help us understand how your example is going to differ from hatred and intollerance.

      Report this comment

      mcsledge  
    • wvernon1981
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 2:42pm

      Barber2,

      I know you were being sarcastic. I wasn’t.

      Report this comment

      wvernon1981  
    • wvernon1981
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 2:46pm

      As far as a positive influence, I’ll be the same as any other good uncle in the usual sense. However, I”ll also be able to help my brother teach him about a skeptical mindset from an early age so that he is inoculated against claims without evidence. Having an evidence driven worldview, I’m better equipped than a lot of people to help raise a child because I actually care about what has been demonstrated to work rather than what I might think works.

      Report this comment

      wvernon1981  
    • SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 3:00pm

      @ WVERN….Can an atheist be a positive role model in the worldy sense of the world? Of course they can. Can they be a good role model of a man/woman of faith, forgiven and in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? Impossible.

      Report this comment

      SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING  
    • lefty5005
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 3:22pm

      Wyvern, you do understand that your very existence is rooted in religion and God. You are worshiping whether you like it or not. I assume you do thing right, pay your taxes, abide by the law and don’t molest your children and respect your neighbors. If you do all of this then you are choosing to abide by religious doctrine set forth 3000 years ago. Our judicial system is based on the 10 commandments, not some radical atheist who lived in New York in 1935 or some Chinese monk from the Ming era. With organization, respect come lack of chaos, with deceit, crime, antagonizing friends or strangers in some way comes chaos. Wrong is chaos, anyone who does something wrong, regardless of whether they are religious or not (not unless they are mentally ill) has this dilemma in their mind and how to work it out. Hence, truth or lies, lies breed more chaos and dig a deeper chasm to get our of. Bottom line, not unless you are a seed of Satan himself you are abiding by religious doctrine whether you mean to or not.

      Report this comment

      lefty5005  
    • Atrum Angelis
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 4:18pm

      I can think of one: my father.
      He encouraged me to look into it myself, and draw my own conclusions. While I’m a deists, our conversations are always interesting. He may be an atheist, but he is knows the bible very well, and can quote it easily without having the book open. He doesn’t care what other people believe. He doesn’t go around telling everyone he knows that he atheist and that it’s better. He doesn’t care if a town has a cross up (if fact the story of the town trying to get rid of its memorial upset him as it was those that loved the fallen that erected it).
      He taught me to do good, get a career and not live off society. Being ex-military, he taught me to shoot, taught me survival, as well as how to treat women (I remember one conversation after talking about what happened to a friend in school: he told me if he ever found out I had cheated on my girlfriend, treated her badly, etc. I should fear him more than her or her family). My father and mother married young (21 & 19, respectively) they still have a strong marriage and he is who I aspire to be as a new father.
      He also doesnt discount the existence of a god. He just thinks its highly unlikely, that science has no means of adequately answering that question and that he’ll live life as good as he can, and find out when he gets there, one way or the other.

      I know many here will disagree with me, but he is an atheist and a good man. They are not mutually exclusive.

      Report this comment

      Atrum Angelis  
    • God_Is_Not
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 9:56pm

      Most uninformed comment of the day: ” Our judicial system is based on the 10 commandments”

      1) Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Nope, sorry. How many gods are there, really?)
      2) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (again, not even close)
      3) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain (freedom of speech, friend. The exact OPPOSITE of your commandment.)
      4) Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy (This is getting old, were you serious?)
      5) Honour thy father and thy mother (What if my father is guilty of child abuse? Now you’re getting sadistic.)
      6) Thou shalt not kill (wow, you couldn’t figure this out until god told you?)
      7) Thou shalt not commit adultery (has absolutely nothing to do with our judicial system)
      8) Thou shalt not steal (agreed, now defining stealing? taxes?)
      9) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor (perjury? ok, I’ll give you that one)
      10) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s…everything. (kind of a stupid commandment and has nothing, nothing, to do with our judicial system.

      In my estimation, you FAILED miserably with your commandments and even worse with your comment above.

      Report this comment

      God_Is_Not  
  • utterlyamazing
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:39pm

    Where’s the like button??

    Report this comment

    utterlyamazing  
  • saneromeo
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:37pm

    That is great! We need to stand up and let it be known that Christians ARE here and not going to put up with this nonsense. Freedom of speech for ALL (even Christians!)
    http://saneromeo.wordpress.com/

    Report this comment

    saneromeo  
  • moreteaplease
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:30pm

    Never underestimate the power of prayer.

    Report this comment

    moreteaplease  
    • AndYetItMoves
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:40pm

      This incorrectly suggests that it has some power to begin with in my estimation.

      Report this comment

      AndYetItMoves  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:44pm

      no worries, expectations for praying is very low. it’s hard to underestimate something that never actually works.

      Report this comment

      phillyatheist  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:54pm

      An uninspiring lack of “prayer working”, so it seems. About as much of a possibility as your basic random chance.

      Report this comment

      DeavonReye  
  • Gregb
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:29pm

    sounds like a great coach and a wonderful community.
    It is really sad that one sick person wants to take away joy from the majority.

    Report this comment

    Gregb  
    • Nepenthe
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 3:15pm

      He does sound like a great coach and if he wants to allow a player to lead voluntary prayers and voluntary trips to a religous institution than that is his choice.

      Report this comment

      Nepenthe  
  • coyote1hell
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:28pm

    The FFRF..are Big “(o)” supporters, that’s all that you need to know……

    Report this comment

    coyote1hell  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:28pm

    It’s time to push back………HARD.

    Report this comment

    Detroit paperboy  
  • Watcher1952
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:27pm

    I still have the question of “What happened to majority rule” If the team members and their families want to pray before each game, at half time, and at the end of the game then so be it. If an individual does not want to then as others have said just stay out of the area. With the church feeding the players or anyone else for that matter….THAT IS THE CHRISTIAN WAY….Help your fellow citizens in any way you can……

    Report this comment

    Watcher1952  
    • AndYetItMoves
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:32pm

      ‘Help your fellow citizens in any way you can……’

      By empowering the government to officiate love.

      Report this comment

      AndYetItMoves  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:47pm

      WATCHER – unfortunately for you, we don’t live in a majority rules country. if we did, we would not have had the Civil Rights victory, for example. thank you, Constitution.

      Report this comment

      phillyatheist  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 2:16pm

      @WATCHER1952

      I add my voice to those who oppose majority rule.

      We have a constitution with separation of powers.

      One of the primary duties of the Supreme Court is to make sure the minority does not get taken advantage of by the majority; it is a voice for the minority.

      I never understand why Christians can’t tone it down when they are amongst mixed audiences.

      Believe it or not, not everyone cares – that’s fine. Jesus didn’t convert everyone, neither will we.

      It matters not, in the case of the law, whether only a few or many are hurt by it’s being disregarded and transgression, all it takes is for one person’s rights to be violated. And that person’s rights are as important as the majority’s.

      Report this comment

      brother_ed  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 2:47pm

      BROTHER ED – hey, long time no see. good to hear your rationality so well voiced again.

      Report this comment

      phillyatheist  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 3:56pm

      @PHILLYATHEIST

      Back at ya!

      I picture these people at home practicing: yelling into empty barrels…yelling louder at the noise given back… and so on.

      Report this comment

      brother_ed  
  • floridareader
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:17pm

    Atheists deny kind gestures that come from Christians until they are the ones in need.
    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/atheist-activist-who-threatened-to-sue-to-stop-texas-nativity-has-become-a-christian/

    Report this comment

    floridareader  
  • momrules
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:12pm

    Good for the community, good for Coach Mariakis and good for the Liberty Council. God will bless you as you are confronted by evil as long as your faith remains strong.

    The FFRF is a group of people who claim they only want a separation of church and state but I do not believe that. As they have won court case after court case due to their deep pockets they only grow more demanding. How long before they will * demand * that Christians are only allowed to pray and gather in a church or in ones own home? Has anyone ever known a bully to stop tormenting their victim as long as the victim keeps giving in to their demands?

    Fight and pray on Georgia Christians. You are on the right side of this fight. My prayers will be with you.

    Report this comment

    momrules  
    • encinom
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:19pm

      Just not good for those that believe in the Constitution and the republic, instead of a lawless theocracy.

      Report this comment

      encinom  
    • Diane TX
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:38pm

      @ encinom

      You are being ridiculous! Christianity has flourished in this Nation for centuries, and yet there are things that most Christians abhor. Such as legal abortion and sanctioned homosexuality, which wouldn’t have had a chance to exist if the USA had ever been ruled as a Christian Theocracy.

      Report this comment

      Diane TX  
    • 00100111
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:40pm

      Awww, Enci. I see you typed something, but all it looks like is “Derp derp derp derp derp.”

      Report this comment

      00100111  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:43pm

      @encinom, are you talking about the constitution that obama believes in because he don’t believe in the constitution because it is outdated and the lawless theocracy you speak of is what obama and the left believe in funny how you believe in parts constitution when you need it to fit your agenda,but any other time it is just a old piece of paper that was written by a bunch of rich old white men who we’re racist.

      Report this comment

      commonsenseguy  
    • TeresaJ
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 2:34pm

      @ Encinom

      “Lawless theocracy” is an oxymoron. The biggest reason people don’t want to listen to Christians is because we actually have a code of conduct that many do not want to listen to.

      The current idea of “separation of church and state” is false and never should have been tolerated to begin with, but being the good little Christians we are, the most of us have been silent for a long time. But now they push and threaten to silence us, telling us when and where we are allowed to be Christian, and how to run our communities. No more are we going to be silent. The government only has the power that we the people give it. At least in theory.

      The FFRP started this. If they want to send in a police brigade over a community feeding it’s football players and a coach talking about God and praying with players (Oh the humanity), then they will do nothing but make this community martyrs.

      Before the obligatory “What if it was a muslim” comes up, there is a reason why certain laws should be left to communities and states, and obviously in this community, faith is binding. In a muslim community, I would expect to see muslim faith, and in Utah, I expect to see Mormons. They have as much right to express their faith as Christians do. So please put aside the divisionary speech.

      Report this comment

      TeresaJ  
    • encinom
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 4:52pm

      Diane TX
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:38pm

      @ encinom

      You are being ridiculous! Christianity has flourished in this Nation for centuries, and yet there are things that most Christians abhor. Such as legal abortion and sanctioned homosexuality, which wouldn’t have had a chance to exist if the USA had ever been ruled as a Christian Theocracy.
      _________________
      Given the GOP Party Platform and the legislation passed in States controlled by the GOP (Va.’s state forced ultrasounds). It looks like the courts and the Dems are a thin line that separates the woman’s right and theocracy controls. And what is sanctioned homosexuality, again look at GOP platform, they are clearly looking to destroy the most basic safeguard, equal protection under the law. Since when was treating all Americans equally such a bad thing.

      Report this comment

      encinom  
    • americanfoodblister
      Posted on September 12, 2012 at 12:16am

      Yeah you told em.don’t they know Gawd is an American …
      c’mon people..

      Report this comment

      americanfoodblister  
  • G.E.R
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:10pm

    “We’re called to share the gospel”
    Share your delusional bedtime story with your own children and leave everyone else’s alone.

    Report this comment

    G.E.R  
    • edcoil
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:20pm

      Any “Athiests” group offer to feed the team?

      Report this comment

      edcoil  
    • chips1
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:26pm

      GER:
      That’s what they were doing and your group, the FFRF, stuck their nose into the business of someone else. Your goal is to control other peoples thoughts and lives. You Minions are coming out of the toilet in droves. Satan loses!!!

      Report this comment

      chips1  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:51pm

      Um, . . . the team isn’t homeless and hungry. TELL THE CHURCH TO FEED THOSE PEOPLE!!!

      Report this comment

      DeavonReye  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:59pm

      G.E.R.: ” your delusional bedtime stories” You, sir or madam, represent all that is bad about the New Democrat Far Left: you are arrogant, disrespectful and bullying. I’m sure there are decent atheists. You New Lefties just aren’t in that category. You Alinsky trained New Lefties enjoy annoying and taunting people who are “different” from you. You are like the school yard bullies . You are immature, self-centered and maladjusted.

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • G.E.R
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 2:25pm

      Religion is a lot like porn. You know deep down it’s all lies but you still buy it. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry making quite a few people very rich. It distorts reality, it incites desires it never satisfies, AND the story it’s based on is crap.

      Report this comment

      G.E.R  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 2:58pm

      A surprisingly accurate analogy, GER.

      Report this comment

      DeavonReye  
    • G.E.R
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 3:51pm

      Thank You

      Report this comment

      G.E.R  
  • Goldi
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:09pm

    Athiests are just like the gays. They will never be satisfied until they can stick it in your face!

    Report this comment

    Goldi  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:02pm

    So now it’s bad to feed people? Those atheists are a miserable, petulant bunch, aren’t they? Someone needs to give them the hugs they didn’t receive as children.

    Right after they pray for them. :)

    Report this comment

     
    • Locked
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:27am

      “So now it’s bad to feed people?”

      Where in any of this did people say it’s bad to feed people? Seems to me the problem is forcing one’s views on others. It’s the same issue people had with Chik-fil-A: the issue wasn’t the company’s biblical foundation, it was that they donated millions to groups that promoted conversion therapy and labeled gays as horrific people.

      If you cannot identify the problem, you cannot find a solution. Then again, if you refuse to see the problem at all, you’re not actually interested in a conversation and are just trolling :-)

      Report this comment

      Locked  
  • DeavonReye
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:00pm

    The coach has no place promoting religious materials on a public school uniform. I think that goes too far. It would be the same if the coach was a muslim and put passages from the Qur’an on the uniforms. He needs to apply for a christian school with a football team.

    Report this comment

    DeavonReye  
    • encinom
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:21pm

      The Blazers are deaf to your argument. The average Beckerhead hates the Constitution and seeks to have the republic replaced by a Taliban styled theocracy.

      Report this comment

      encinom  
    • normalmom
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:29pm

      If he put the muslim stuff the ffrf would probably leave him alone. Christians won’t attack them as infidels but the muslims would.

      Report this comment

      normalmom  
  • AmericanStrega
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 12:59pm

    I wonder why the FFRF has become so unhinged about religious American’s freedom of speech when they believe THEIR freedom of speech is untouchable? You know, if you don’t like shopping at your local store because you don’t like what they believe in, you go to a different store. If the store you don’t like still has customers and is making a profit without your patronship, maybe you should just not use that store. Don’t try to close that store just because you don’t like their ideals. The market will decide.

    Report this comment

    AmericanStrega  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:04pm

      For a player, they feel obligated to follow the coach. If the coach is using that platform to promote a religious belief, then it violates the rights of the students who do not want to either hear it, or wear [even] a contrary ideology on their uniform. They shouldn’t have to just because they want to play on the team. This isn’t a christian school.

      Report this comment

      DeavonReye  
    • encinom
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:23pm

      This is not a private business at issue, but a tax payer funded public school.

      Report this comment

      encinom  
    • grayling646
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:36pm

      Lots of assumptions in your analysis, deavon.

      Report this comment

      grayling646  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:39pm

      ENCIN and DEAV: Both aboard the Atheism Express . As a taxpayer, I can’t help but think that a large part of the problem in public education today is the attempt to separate morality and discipline from the classroom. If God and moral codes must be eliminated from public education, I suggest the tax paying parents have a choice to send their children to private schools where that is not the case. Vouchers are a must now that we have arrived at this New Godless America of the Far Left. ( This is NOT your grandfather’s Democrat Party. ) NOBAMA 2012 NO DEMOCRATS 2012

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:40pm

      Assumptions, perhaps, . . . .but I’ve been around for a while. What I DO know is that there shouldn’t be an obligation for any student to wear the beliefs of the one heading it up.

      Report this comment

      DeavonReye  
    • chips1
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:43pm

      AND the tax payers were using it because they payed for it. The school also didn’t use their money for the food. It was extra from tax payers. ENCINOM, the float at the end of “Animal House” was made for you.

      Report this comment

      chips1  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:50pm

      Barber, why do you assume that a school system can’t promote morals and do so seperate from a religious construct?

      Report this comment

      DeavonReye  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 2:22pm

      DEAVON: Proof ? The state of modern American public education.

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 2:55pm

      The school systems aren’t parents. If kids are going to do drugs, drink alcohol, have premarital sex, they will do so even while living in a christian home and going to church on Sundays and Wednesdays. What the issue is has to do with our extremely self centered society.

      Regardless, I can be VERY moral without one nod to a religious belief or text.

      Report this comment

      DeavonReye  
  • hi
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 12:59pm

    I love it so much that they pray. It’s awesome. However, I would NOT like it if they were saying a non-Christian prayer. So, I do see the atheist’s point.
    For example, I did NOT like it when non-Christian prayers began the RNC convention. I’d rather just have no prayer.

    Report this comment

    hi  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:04pm

      well the plug your ears or stay out side until it is over,no one is forcing you to do anything, but atheist are trying to force their will on everyone, if you don’t like what is being said then don’t listen but don’t force me to give up what i believe in just because you don’t like it or believe in it, i don’t have a problem with what you do or say i just don’;t listen to it and i am not trying to force you to hear what i have to say so quit trying to force your believes on me.

      Report this comment

      commonsenseguy  
    • termyt
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 2:04pm

      Then you, like the FFRF, do not understand freedom of religion. They seem to want us all to be aethist on the outside, Christian on the inside. It doesn’t work like that and our Founders understood that and wanted to make sure we could freely worship God.

      I have to wonder about a world view that is so easily shaken by the mere name of a God that they claim doesn’t exist. Just another group claiming to want equality but actually demanding absolution. Being free to be what they want is not enough for them. We must also all agree they are right. Be comfortable in your own skin, atheists. I will not change mine to suit you.

      Report this comment

      termyt  
    • Nepenthe
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 3:20pm

      “Then you, like the FFRF, do not understand freedom of religion.”

      If the coach is leading the prayer, then there is no freedom of religion. Any person who has participated in a sports program, especially a football program, knows that the word of the coach is law and you do not go against it. Even if the coach uses the word ‘voluntary’, it still means ‘mandatory’ by virtue of his position. It is the same thing in the military; when the CO ‘suggests’ something, it is in fact not a suggestion but a direct order by virtue of their position.

      Report this comment

      Nepenthe  
    • God_Is_Not
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 9:40pm

      Finally, a well thought out response. If it were a Muslim coach, the Blazed would be outraged. People don’t think anymore.

      Report this comment

      God_Is_Not  
  • ONLY4UANDME
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 12:58pm

    America is standing up!
    I hope at Christmas time Nativity seen is back in public square!! Yeah!

    Report this comment

    ONLY4UANDME  
  • oldguy49
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 12:55pm

    first…….get rid of religion………replace it with government …………….or more probably islam

    Report this comment

    oldguy49  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 12:56pm

      Uh,…no.

      Report this comment

      DeavonReye  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:07pm

      to some government is a religion and they believe it will save them ,i don’t have a problem with that it is what they believe i have a problem with them trying to force me to give up what i believe in and start believing in the government religion and that ain’t going to happen.

      Report this comment

      commonsenseguy  
    • AmericanStrega
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:07pm

      OLDGUY49:
      I really hope that was sarcasm.

      Report this comment

      AmericanStrega  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 10, 2012 at 1:17pm

      DEAV: I read your previous comments. You have a dedicated mission.

      Report this comment

      barber2  
  • justangry
    Posted on September 10, 2012 at 12:50pm

    Is he a winning or losing coach?

    Report this comment

    justangry  
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