It's not you Mike....the article apparently whizzed right over this guys head.ou: I don't see what could be considered 'offensive' in someone praying for a good clean competition and for safety of the players on the field and everyones safe return home!? Exactly WHAT freedom is 'taken away' from him...I don't get it!?! o No: There's a BIG difference between someone being INVITED to pray on behalf of a group for a good reason....or someone just walking up to a corner or some other group gathering, and praying LOUDLY just to be heard(such as the pharisees did). The idea of separation of church and state, is so that the gov't doesn't MANDATE any particular religion for us to follow. It's supposed to be Freedom OF Religion, not Freedom FROM Religion!!
OXYMORON p Mike: I think you took Don the wrong way, I think he was talking about his right as an American,like those other people you were writing about. The problem is if he 's a little leary of Theocracy he might not be to happy in Heaven! Jake
Interesting stuff here.... who would have guessed that there were so many Christians interested in Buicks too! I agree with much of what is said, but I also disagree to some extent. I am a Christian, first and foremost. That dosen't mean that I go to church, or that I feel the need to beat people over the head with my Bible. It means that I have a relationship with God through the forgiveness provided to me by his Son. It is a personal relationship. The problems we have in this country start to appear when any one individual gets the idea that their individual rights take precedent over anyone, or everyone else. I believe in the right of any American to worship, or not worship, as he or she pleases. As was said above, that was the whole reason to start this country. It was freedom of religion- but not freedom from religion. It is not a vocal minority ruling over a quiet majority. That being said, I have a problem with the point of view of the Christians in this country. It is all too easy to speak out about our rights to pray publicly, and express our religious beliefs, and all too difficult to show a dying world why we do what we do. Do we really even know for ourselves? Sometimes we get too caught up in the message, and totally miss the meaning. I personally have no problem with not saying a prayer before a football game. No, I don't want to hear someone praying to budha. I am sure some people feel the same way about Jesus. I do, however, think we all should have the right to pray as individuals anywhere and whenever we want to, especially in the public schools. If it is a known event where Christians are the majority, I have no problem with a public prayer. The idea that this country was founded upon Christian principles is amusing, to say the least. If you look at the slavery and mutilation it took to bring this country into existance, there is no way you can say this with a straight face! Our history is totally white-washed. Columbus WAS NOT the swell guy that he is made out to be (ask any native american around in 1492). How long did we accept slavery as being alright in this country? We are the only country ever to use nuclear force! The point I am trying to make is that this crutch people are using, saying that we are a "Christian nation" is a load of garbage! At one time, we may have been a nation with a large Christian poplulation. Today we are a post-Christian population. That crutch is too weak to stand on. The only meaningful thing that we as Christians are left with, is the ability to make ourselves into a perfect reflection of Christ, through the purification of our lives, and living out our faith in our daily lives. This dosen't mean throwing our faith in people's faces. It means that we live obediently and in such a way as they would see the difference, and wonder what it is that we have that they don't. We live in a world full of screaming examples of what not to do. Do we show the difference by screaming louder, and saying "hey, it's my right as an American"? There is no ground to be gained this way. Where the country is failing is in our total lack of morality, and personal integrity. If we have no difference in the way we live, what difference can we expect to make to anyone else? We won't argue people into the kingdom of heaven. We can't push, pull, or drag them in either. We have to show them WHY we do what we do- that there is a better way to live- that there is a reason to live. Actions scream louder than words ever will. The country is rotting from the inside out. It's not the abundance of wrong, it's the lack of what is right. We haven't shown anyone a meaningful alternative. Religion of ANY kind will not provide that. It is only found in making peace with God, through His son Jesus Christ. 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Remember- we are His people.
