This week, the Catoosa County School Board in Ringgold, Georgia will meet on controversy over the cheerleaders of Georgia’s Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School who use Biblical verses as part of their displays to root for the football team to “commit to the Lord” and “take courage and do it.”
The players would break through paper signs with the Biblical verses but local youth minister Brad Scott insists that they “are not trying to push a religious cause, to shove religion down someone’s throat. The cheerleaders are just using Scripture to show motivation and inspiration to the players and the fans.” They have a curious selection of scripture choices. For example, one banner quoted Ezra 10:4: “Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” The only problem is that this Biblical passage describes how Ezra followed the lead of God to banish foreign women and their innocent children for not being pure. Here is the whole passage for the next game:
“While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites—men, women and children—gathered around him. They too wept bitterly. Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel. Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” So Ezra rose up and put the leading priests and Levites and all Israel under oath to do what had been suggested. And they took the oath.”
Thus, the cheerleaders were exalting their players to go into the stands, find foreign women and their children, and chase them from Catossa County. Now, that is a half-time show!
Of course, I wonder how parents would feel about some heartening Muslim passages like “He is the Mighty, the Wise One” or “The fate of each man We have bound about his neck.”
The school system received a complaint and found correctly that it constitutes “a violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution for signs with Bible verses to be displayed on the football field.”
This has led to a backlash among parents who demand that the Bible be brought back to the football field.
If the verses are reintroduced, they might want to go with a few with a bit more kick:
“You . . . will also be slaughtered by my sword.” (Zephaniah 2:12-15)
“They shall be apportioned for foxes.” (Psalm 63: 11)
“Be patient; the time is coming soon. (Zephaniah 2:12-15)
“When he raises himself up, the mighty fear; Because of the crashing they are bewildered.” (Job 41:1-34)
“The men of Judah attacked Jerusalem and captured it, killing all its people and setting the city on fire.” (Judges 1:1-8)
Fort Oglethorpe Mayor Ronnie Cobb insists that he is “against them doing away with it” and that “[i]f it’s offensive to anyone, let them go watch another football game. Nobody’s forced to come there and nobody’s forced to read the signs.” Now, there is an intriguing standard: if you do not want Jesus with your football, do not come and watch the game or your children. So much for Zechariah 13:3 “If a man still prophesies, his parents, father and mother, shall say to him, ‘You shall not live, because you have spoken a lie in the name of the Lord.’ When he prophesies, his parents, father and mother, shall thrust him through.”
The board will now decide whether to comply with the constitution or spend the entire sports budget in fighting the ban on the entanglement of church and state. Wouldn’t a “Go Team” banner be sufficient? You can even leave a space and imagine a “d” following “Go” . . . and cheer religiously.
What most maddens me, however, is that the high school left out one of my favorite country music songs:
For the full story, click here.
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Mike,
I think we found the answer.
Gyges,
Try driving the roads of South Carolina and you’ll know that God is making the citizenry pay for Sanford’s adultery.
Raff and Mike,
Because it’s easier to believe in a vengeful God after having seen Texas?
“Why do most of these religious incursions into the public schools seem to happen in the South?”
Rafflaw,
Is it because no other section of the country is as hung up on having a false facade act as a cover for blatant hypocrisy?
Well they just can’t pay the players to play after the budget is exhausted. I am sure some good christian attorney will take this case pro bono as it is for the lords work indeed.
Probably not a chance in hell. These heathen must pay.
Mike,
I can’t agree with you more. I get tired of watching the pro and college athletes thanking God for their good play or their team’s victory. Does God favor one team over another? When Notre Dame losed to a public college, is it because someone on the team has sinned? Why do most of these religious incursions into the public schools seem to happen in the South?
Gosh Elaine, Emily Dickinson ain’t got nuthin’ on you…
Elaine,
A tour de force. Puts the blame where it belongs.
How bout those Angels yesterday? It was about time we got the Red Sox playoff “monkey” off our backs! Good job Sciosia, lets’ get back to the World Series and bring another “championship” back to Southern California.
“If God isn’t a Bronco’s Fan why are sunsets blue and orange?”
Smog.
Here’s a little double dactyl I wrote for Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School:
Higgledy piggeldy
Biblical verses
Help us to cheer on
Our team in a game.
God’s “up there” watching
Our fullbacks and tackles.
So if we’re defeated,
The Big Guy’s to blame.
Ah yes, Bob Dylan fans are everywhere aren’t they?
http://www.bobdylan.com/#/songs/god-our-side
Gyges,
God is a Jets/Mets fan, but is really a sadist.
Billy,
That would take seven decades and I simply don’t have the time. The short version is that I believe there is a creative force that guides the Universe but its’ nature and purpose is too far beyond humans ability to comprehend. In that sense I believe that all religions can be useful in allowing people to get a very bare hint of the truth and I personally use Judaism as my vehicle, without believing it to possess greater access. I think that where religion goes astray is when it tries to define the purpose of that creative force and the concept that theirs is the only path to understanding. As my moral compass I choose what you no doubt refer to as the “Golden Rule,” which in truth is the underlying premise of most religions.
Mike,
To quote every pastor\priest\reverend in Colorado “If God isn’t a Bronco’s Fan why are sunsets blue and orange?”
Mike, tell me what you really think, don’t be so inhibited…
Anybody that mixes God in with football in from any religious point of view is to my mind a blasphemer. Am I supposed to believe that the Creator of an Infinite Universe watches over football games. Are there really Quarterbacks for Christ? Mixing God with football is from a religious perspective demeaning God. Anyone who claims to be religious, but is too stupid to understand that, also can’t understand the simple precepts of their own religion.
Do those foolish pro sports athletes who do something good and point to the heavens really think that god cares whether they scored a touchdown, hit a home run, or made a three-pointer? Did Rocky Graziano, the boxer of “Somebody Up There Likes Me” really think god was in his corner as he was pummeling someone into unconsciousness?
Drop trick me Gee Zeus through the propaganda of a thousand points of bud lite.
Oh nevah mind you siwwy wabbit …