The quote we see most often, as a reason the Court got it worng is “…thus building a wall of separation between Church and State,” it is also one of the most misunderstood as well as taken out of context, quotes in history. The quote is easy to remember, and it is easy to believe it is in line with the anti-Christian agenda. Point out where the quote came from and placing it the context of the subject of the paragraph which it came from, in response to the Danbury Baptist Ministers who wrote him, is something the left has a problem dealing with. It doesn’t fit their agenda. So, they try and make the assistant football coach a government employee to bend their out of context quote to fit the separation. “As teacher he represents the government, which bars him from public prayer with the students.” Why just limit it to students? Would not this logic preclude all other citizens too? He is a teacher, part of the government after all, so why can he teach Sunday School, be a lay preacher, or even attend a church of any kind? Be careful in asking those questions. You will have opened the door to a host of endless side issues. The hateful are, if nothing else, adept at keeping you away for the actual issues of history and the reasons the Court ruled in favor of the 1st Amendment and our right to freedom OF religion.
“Well,” I’ve been asked numerous times, “would you be okay with the ruling if the coach had been Muslim, or _______(fill in the blank)? I did say the hateful are adept at keeping away from history and the issues that resulted in the ruling, did I not? “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…” I don’t see a specific religion mentioned in any form within this clause of the 1st Amendment. Nor have I read of any such specifics in the debates over the amendment and the defense of it in the writings of anyone involved with the ratification of the amendment. Religion. All Religion. Now, bet the farm some Wing Nut will respond with, “Even those involving human sacrifice?” TBI seems to be a common affliction these days. The fact is, we have the Bill of Rights because the states felt the Constitution required specific protections to the Citizens and the States. “Congress shall NOT. 2nd Amendment “ the RIGHT of the PEOPLE…shall NOT…” Looking over the remaining Bill of Rights it is clear they all prohibit the intervention of government in respect to the rights of the people. Further, the history of the rulings by the courts prohibit all government from limiting our rights. All as in right down to the local level.
“Of course, but, what if…” I very much want to respond with, “You only had a brain?” but well, I am a Christian, and though I think Jesus understands my desire to ask the sarcastic, yet honest question, He would be disappointed if I did.
What if some of the kids feel they must participate, because he is after all their teacher? Grow a pair. I had a Humanities teacher my senior year in high school. She handed out an assignment that counted for 90 of grade our and gave a due date that was on Senior Ditch Day, an activity sanctioned by the School District. Said teacher, said we had to hand in the assignment in person on that day only, or fail her class. We had a great time at the beach that day. As long as the kids are in the right, teach them to stand up for themselves. The left wanted to give the vote to 16 year-olds when Trump won the election, but now those same 16 year-olds are not adult enough to walk away from a prayer they disagree with?