A country founded on the Principle of freedom, first and foremost. The only reason that Christian "values" are found in so many of our laws, is because that is what they knew. But they also knew that it wasn't everything, hence the Freedom of Religion clause, and the separation of Church and State. As a Pagan, I do not object to someone saying a prayer for the football players, but is there some particular reason why said prayer has to be broadcast over the intercom for everyone to listen to? Last time I checked, prayers were between the person saying it, and their God(S). Using the intercom is overkill. (unless of course, they feel that their God is hard of hearing.)

> 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? If I went to a football game in
> Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer. If I went to a
> soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer. If
> I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear
> someone pray to Buddha. And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't
> bother me one bit. When in Rome...

But you see, those countries have official religions (except China. Communist countries tend to frown on religion). The US does not, see aforementioned paragraph mentioning the Freedom of Religion and the Separation of Church and State. Also, the US is a representative democracy, not a straight out democracy. Do you understand what that means? If not, I'll tell you. It means that the Majority *doesn't* rule. Just because there are more Christians that Pagans, does not give said Christians more rights and privileges than those who follow minority religions.

> "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.

Why should we non-Christians go out of our way to avoid hearing Christian prayers at otherwise non-religious events? I am just curious. Or does it get back to that majority thing. If so, I will not repeat myself. I trust you can scroll back. As for Atheists in general, I happen to believe that Freedom of Religion is synonymous with Freedom from Religion. Freedom is either complete, or it is false.

> 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. Christians are just sick and tired of
> turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our
> rights.

The rights of Christians to practice their religion is not the issue. It is forcing people who may not believe, to listen to you practice your religion at events/locations that are not religious in nature. When I go to a football game, I go to watch football. I may send energy (my way of praying) to the players in the hopes that they will stay safe, but I don't go up to the press box and use the intercom to do it. I've read the Christian Bible(old and new testaments). There isn't anything in there about needing an intercom to pray. At least, not the version I read.

> 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.

But no one is telling you to stop praying. We are simply asking that you be a bit quieter about it. Show some respect to your neighbors and turn down the music.

> God, help us. And if that last
> sentence offends you, well..........just sue me. 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!

Scroll up again, just in case you forgot that bit about our type of government.

> 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! God
> bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him... God
> bless America, despite all her faults.. still the greatest nation
> of all.....God bless our service men who are fighting to protect
> our right to pray and worship God...May 2003 be the year the
> silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of
> our families and institutions. Keep looking up......In God WE
> Trust!
> If you agree with this, please pass it on. If not, delete it!!

You know, I normally do delete these types of messages. I really don't like conflict. But I don't know if it's the moon, or just that I've received too many messages telling me to go back in the (broom) closet, but I am getting rather tired of being told how persecuted the Christians are. For too long a country that was founded on Freedom, enslaved itself to a particular moral system, much to the detriment of the current residents, and those of different beliefs who immigrated. This isn't a case of the minority telling you not to believe what you do, but rather, to give us some space. We wouldn't even mind keeping the prayers at public events, if everyone got equal time at the microphone. But then we'd have to start the event a few days late to make time for everyone. It is much simpler to let the prayers be spoken in the believer's heart.

Be well, and may your beliefs bring you the happiness you deserve. And may you realize that people don't have to believe the same things, to be friends.

Helen Vickers