From the Elder's Pen "At The Football Game" 10/5/03 Past/Future Articles

A while back, Jody McCloud, who is the principal of Roane County High School, Kingston, TN read the following statement over the public address system at one of the football games:
 “It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country.  Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.
 As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it ‘an alternate lifestyle,’ and if someone is offended, that’s OK.
 I can us it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it ‘safe sex.’  If someone is offended, that’s OK.
 I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a ‘viable means of birth control.’  If someone is offended, no problem.
 I can designate a school day as ‘Earth Day’ and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess ‘Mother Earth’ and call it ‘ecology.’
 I can use literature, videos, and presentations in the classroom that depict people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as ‘simple minded’ and ‘ignorant’ and call it ‘enlightenment.’
 However, if anyone uses this facility to honor God and to ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.
 This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.  Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except God and His Commandments.
 Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they not necessarily agree.  For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best and at worst, hypocritical.  I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally.  I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.
 For this reason, I shall ‘Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s,’ and refrain from praying at this time.  However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God and ask Him, in the name of Jesus, to bless this event, please feel free to do so.  As far as I know, that’s not against the law- - -yet.”