Check this out

[Knight]

In an attempt to get some fellowship going take a look at this. My wife emailed this to me and I think it speaks volumes.

[font=Times New Roman, Times]Samuel Thompson wrote:[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December.[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]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.[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]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. And we are in the Bible Belt. 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?[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome...[/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]"[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times]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. [/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times]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.[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]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 just 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..[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]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![/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]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! After all the God you have the right to denounce is on our side![/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]God bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him...[/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]God bless America, despite all her faults.. still the greatest nation of all.....[/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God...[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]May 2003 be the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions.[/font]
[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]Keep looking up...... In God WE Trust[/font]

 

[Fiskare]

[font=Times New Roman, Times][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times]If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

[/font]

..and very large KA-BOOM! afterward.

 

[Dandey]

Here in UK we have similar problems except perhaps more so. You know about our problems in the Anglican communion regarding homosexuals, right? There is also problems regarding legislation for employment rights where it is suggested that Christian churches should not have the right to "discriminate" against members of other faiths or none. Interestingly enough, considering that we used to be called the nation of the Book, some of our partner nations in Europe want to include a reference to the Christian foundations of our nations, strongly opposed by UK amongst others - it might offend the minorities!

 

[kimber1]

AWESOME post knight!! AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kdet]

Amen Knight! Wonderful post!

 

[rookie]

Amen!!! If "others" want to rant about their rights, they can, but they forget our "rights."

rookie

 

[jbarcher]

Cool.

 

[La Bonita Zorilla]

As usual he forgets Matthew 6:1-8; but most of those full of hubris do.

 

[dignitized]

As usual he forgets Matthew 6:1-8; but most of those full of hubris do.

HUH?? care to explain?

 

[dignitized]

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..and very large KA-BOOM! afterward.

Too True. Those rotten baath terrorist would not pass up a chance to reek havoc and blow things up.

 

[La Bonita Zorilla]

HUH?? care to explain?

Did you check out the scripture? It is rather obvious they are doing the opposite of Christ's teachings, now, isn't it?

 

[Knight]

Did you check out the scripture? It is rather obvious they are doing the opposite of Christ's teachings, now, isn't it?

I read the scripture in question. Do you mean to suppose that people who want to pray before a football game are doing so just to be seen by men? Do you know their hearts?

Christ, in that passage, is addressing those who do their righteous acts JUST to be seen by men. I do not know that you can definitively say that in this case. Unless, of course, you know their intentions......

Besides, this is intended to facilitate discussion and fellowship..... Not debate.

 

[BBAS 64]

Knight,

Great post time to stand up and be counted. May he grant me strengh to do so, and the ability to see him more clearly.

For His Glory Alone!

BBAS

 

[wvmtnkid]

Knight-

Thanks for sharing. I agree with the senitiments of the message whole heartedly. Sometimes it seems that all other groups have their rights protected except for Christians. That may not be the case, but at times, it sure feels that way.

 

[La Bonita Zorilla]

I read the scripture in question. Do you mean to suppose that people who want to pray before a football game are doing so just to be seen by men?

What other possible purpose is there to which it could be attributed? It is clearly an instance of "getting in your face" to non-Christians, which, as Christ says, is an inappropriate form of prayer.

An alternative is a form of public prayer that is nonsectarian, but even better would be to forego such symbolism and leave it to churches and homes.

Do you know their hearts?

Not exactly, but you have to admit the concept of prayer before a violent sport is most ironic.

Christ, in that passage, is addressing those who do their righteous acts JUST to be seen by men. I do not know that you can definitively say that in this case. Unless, of course, you know their intentions......

I know of lawsuits addressing this issue concerning the Sante Fe School District in the Houston suburbs (Texas). This is a town where Baptists dominate and there have been repeated instances of violence in the high school perpetrated by Baptist students against Catholic, Mormon, and Jewish students. The majority seeks to institute public sectarian prayer purely as a form of bullying.

Besides, this is intended to facilitate discussion and fellowship..... Not debate.

so what you are saying then is you want comments that agree with the article but not that disagree with it? You do not have that option. There can be no "fellowship" when you post something advocating wrong actions according to Christ.

 

[Knight]

What other possible purpose is there to which it could be attributed? It is clearly an instance of "getting in your face" to non-Christians, which, as Christ says, is an inappropriate form of prayer.

An alternative is a form of public prayer that is nonsectarian, but even better would be to forego such symbolism and leave it to churches and homes.

There is nothing unscriptural about acknowledging God in public. The question is the motives behind such action. You assume that people want to do this just so that they can look good. I would not make that assumption.

Not exactly, but you have to admit the concept of prayer before a violent sport is most ironic.

I don't know. Seems rather appropriate to me. If there is a possibility of getting hurt I would sure want God's blessing.

I know of lawsuits addressing this issue concerning the Sante Fe School District in the Houston suburbs (Texas). This is a town where Baptists dominate and there have been repeated instances of violence in the high school perpetrated by Baptist students against Catholic, Mormon, and Jewish students. The majority seeks to institute public sectarian prayer purely as a form of bullying.

I am not familiar with this situation. However, one case does not prove the rule for all.

so what you are saying then is you want comments that agree with the article but not that disagree with it? You do not have that option. There can be no "fellowship" when you post something advocating wrong actions according to Christ.

Of course you can disagree. I just would rather not get into a spitting contest with you about it.

I will admit that some people could be advocating public prayer and such to glorify themselves. I will also allow that there are those who simply wish to honor God.

 

[La Bonita Zorilla]

There is nothing unscriptural about acknowledging God in public.

Of course ancient Israel and Judah were theocracies. The U.S. legally acknowledges religious pluralism.

This issue gets more complex when we move into other areas: U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert was recently accused of anti-Catholicism because he named a Presbyterian as House Chaplain over a Catholic who was recommended. The Presbyterian withdrew and the Catholic was then named but for a while there it looked bad.

In local and state jurisdictions clergy give opening prayers before legislatures, city councils, etc. In addition to Christian clergy, Jewish, Buddhist, Islamic, Wiccan etc. clergy have done it here and there. A controversy erupted in a small town where a small group of secular humanists asked to give the opening and at the urging of a fundamentalist preacher four council members walked out (one later apologized).

The question is the motives behind such action. You assume that people want to do this just so that they can look good. I would not make that assumption.

I simply cannot identify any good motives for such actions.

If there is a possibility of getting hurt I would sure want God's blessing.

Better to not play at all then.

I am not familiar with this situation. However, one case does not prove the rule for all.

It's typical. A similar situation existed in Tupelo, Mississippi, and just about every other place where litigation resulted.

 

[Knight]

I simply cannot identify any good motives for such actions.

Ok, that's your perrogative. Others may not share that opinion.

Better to not play at all then.

You don't like football. I get it.

 

[La Bonita Zorilla]

Ok, that's your perrogative. Others may not share that opinion.

Good, maybe someone will address it.

You don't like football. I get it.

It's all right but it's not exciting like rugby, soccer, or hockey. Too many time outs and official time. I do have a bias in that in Texas where I recently moved from it is considered a more important part of high school life than academics. Plus the claim of "character building" is ludicrous when coaches encourages players to bend the rules and it is acceptable for a losing team to seek to injure the other team's star player...

 

[Knight]

Good, maybe someone will address it.

I thought they had.....

It's all right but it's not exciting like rugby, soccer, or hockey. Too many time outs and official time. I do have a bias in that in Texas where I recently moved from it is considered a more important part of high school life than academics. Plus the claim of "character building" is ludicrous when coaches encourages players to bend the rules and it is acceptable for a losing team to seek to injure the other team's star player...

You are a fan of rugby and hockey yet football is too violent??? Just kidding.

Actually, I'm more of a baseball fan myself.