Here's my Standing O for the week: Gate City High School

**PVVikings2006** · October 1st, 2009, 12:24 PM

Gate City students hope to send message about prayer in response to ACLU - Kingsport Times-News Online

If I'm not mistaken, I've seen the guys pictured play basketball for the Blue Devils either up at Lebanon or at GC one I think? This is an example of how athletes should be role models for the schools they represent. Kudos to the athletes and ALL of the students at Gate City High School involved in this.

**sup-rbeast** · October 1st, 2009, 12:42 PM

Here's my take on this: I have no problem with prayers before ballgames. The government does. IMO, it would be more appropriate to have a moment of silence which is within the bounds of what the government allows in public schools which they fund to an extent. The separation between church and state applies to the school system, and not everyone at a particular school event may be of the Christian faith (even though the majority is). Still, I can see how someone not of the Christian faith could be offended, although the woman who initially reported this said, according to early reports, that she she wasn't offended. I think it's a good thing to have faith, but I think the t-shirt thing is kinda silly...but is a typical over reaction from a conservative community. That being said, does it bother me individually ?...no. Is it in violation of the Constitution and subsequent Supreme Court rulings?..yes. Even though we have a First Amendment protecting free speech, the Court has ruled, on more than one occasion, that an individual's right to free speech ends when it infringes on the civil liberties of another. Since the government funds public schools, that is their domain; and as law abiding citizens, we should comply with the regulations they set forth. I equate it with someone coming into my house and disregarding my wishes for how should they behave and respect what is mine. IMO, this whole thing is silly and as I said before, an over reaction on both sides.

**Milk3** · October 1st, 2009, 01:26 PM

Good to see there are still good people in the world. I have much respect for those participating in this.

**R13** · October 1st, 2009, 01:45 PM

As usual, the world is out to get them. No one is trying to stop them from praying, prayer was never taken out of the schools.

untitled2

**Jason** · October 1st, 2009, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by R13

As usual, the world is out to get them. No one is trying to stop them from praying, prayer was never taken out of the schools.

untitled2

You are right. Prayer was not taken out of schools. The part that caused the trouble was when the girl said in Jesus name Amen. My opinion is she should be allowed to say what she wants as well as anyone else. Not all Christians are like the comic you posted. Seems like the so called Christians that make the news are like that.

**MikeJones** · October 1st, 2009, 05:34 PM

Like the original poster siad Kudos to these kids and GCHS

**Milk3** · October 1st, 2009, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by R13

As usual, the world is out to get them. No one is trying to stop them from praying, prayer was never taken out of the schools.

untitled2

I see someone STILL hasn't grown up......some things never change i guess

**sup-rbeast** · October 2nd, 2009, 08:38 AM

Just curious...but what if the girl wasn't of the Christian faith and prayed in the name of Mohammad...would all of you still be so supportive of her right to pray over the loud speaker before the game?