Aug 30, 2012
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A Wisconsin-based group that accused a Georgia high school football coach of violating the First Amendment by allowing churches to prepare meals for his team — has now sent a second letter hinting at a possible lawsuit.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation warned the superintendent of Walker County Schools that if they continue the longtime tradition they could face a lawsuit.
“Should this complaint progress to a lawsuit it is very likely the district will bear significant costs when it loses,” FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel wrote in a letter to Supt. Damon Raines.
The FFRF is a Wisconsin-based group whose purpose is to “protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church.” Some conservative groups said the group has a long history of trying to eradicate religion — specifically Christianity — from American culture.
Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver blasted the Wisconsin-based group.
“This atheist group continues to lick stamps and send frivolous letters with militant zeal designed to hurt communities because of its anti-Christian fixation,” Staver said. “Nothing in the Constitution requires communities to abandon common sense and create zones hostile to religion.”
The FFRF is demanding the school system launch an investigation into allegations that Mark Mariakis, the head coach of the Ridgeland High School football team, allowed local churches to prepare pre-game meals for his football team. They also allege that the coach prayed with his team, used Bible verses in motivational speeches and on team shirts and participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“Taking public school football teams to church, even for a meal, is unconstitutional,” wrote Seidel in a previous letter. “This program is an egregious violation of the Establishment Clause and must cease immediately.”
Seidel said taking school children to churches and having ministers “present the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and having the food blessed “shatters the protections the First Amendment put in place.”
Mariakis said in a press conference that he had received thousands of phone calls and messages of support — but referred all questions about the FFRF allegations to school officials. Thousands of people have joined a Facebook page defending the coach.
Supt. Raines told reporters that they have reviewed the letters and the allegations.
“The Walker County Board of Education feels we are in compliance with our federal and state laws,” he said.
Liberty Counsel has offered to assist the school system in the event of a legal attack from FFRF.
“The Constitution does not demand the eradication of faith from public life nor prohibit churches from participating in the life of the local community,” Liberty Counsel attorney Richard Mast wrote in a letter to the school board. “A church has as much right as any other local civic organization to provide pre-game meals to members and guests, even if they are a part of the local high school football team.”
The FFRF said a local individual complained about a longstanding tradition of local churches providing meals to the teenage football players on game day. The complainant said a minister would typically deliver remarks “about the Christian religion.”
“The fact that Mariakis visits several churches instead of one does not mitigate the violation,” Seidel wrote.
The Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church is scheduled to provide a meal for the football team in late October.
Richie White, the church’s youth director, said he was quite surprised to hear that an outside group had issues with feeding children.
“It would be interesting to see what part of the Constitution we violated by simply offering a meal to fellow Americans,” he told Fox News. “These are kids from our area that we do love and we do care about.”
White said several members of the church youth group are on the football squad – and it’s been a tradition to show their support for school athletics.
“We as Christians don’t force our religion on anyone,” he said, suggesting that perhaps Christians are treated differently.
“We’re being persecuted because we believe there is a God who created us,” White said. “I don’t think there’s an equal playing field because we base our lives and our views on the Scripture.”
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What the heck is a group from Wisconsin doing meddling in the business of Georgians? How about you stay in Wisconsin and let the people of Georgia take care of their own affairs!
Like most red states, Georgia is zero asset, it takes WAY more money from the federal government than it pays in. In other words, other people are paying their bills… So, until the time comes that Georgia is off of federal welfare, those of us who actually do pay our own way have every right to get involved in Georgia's 'business'.
Of course, you're from North Carolina, AND you're morbidly obese, so you are living on the government dole as well, so you're opinion means nothing until you start being self sufficient…
The FFTCRF has as much intimidation factor as a British "bobby", the unarmed police officers. "STOP!! I said STOP! Stop doing that, or I will be forced to say STOP! again…." Call their bluff, if needed, I am sure that the school district will get plenty of donations to cover expenses!
The FFTCRF has as much intimidation factor as a British "bobby", the unarmed police officers. "STOP!! I said STOP! Stop doing that, or I will be forced to say STOP! again…." Call their bluff, if needed, I am sure that the school district will get plenty of donations to cover expenses!
Attorney Richard Mast is correct. The miscreant organization FFRF is wrong to intimidate/threaten local schools and related organizations and I am extremely pleased that the Walker County BoD and Liberty Council have correctly assessed the situation and have chosen to call the FFRF bluff…that action is the beginning of the end for such ludicrous orgs and their misplaced secular progressive agenda.
I hope you see the big picture. These organizations file suits willy nilly and if they win, the loser has to pay their legal fees, which are always exorbitant. School trustees are required to be careful with the school board money and cannot risk some wacko judge ruling against them.
Ergo, the bully wins without any risk. As well as silencing our Christian traditions, it can be very lucrative.
So good for this school board! I salute them!
Paul Robinson – I most certainly see the big picture and it doesn't get any bigger than the Constitution. These secular progressive anti-American predators count on acquiescence…and they shouldn't. When the PEOPLE understand their rights as written, no amount of intimidation will suffice. In my day and in my American life, bullies must be far more than bullies to win.
Paul Robinson People in the town should rally around and put up a great fight to show the town, that it does not belong to town counsel but to the people living there. Our problem in this county, is that we have done what you are suggesting, sat down, kept quiet, and accepted whatever the enemy handed out, until we no longer have a say in the business of the land. We have not stood up and spoke up for our GOD, until we are about to lose our land to the enemy, Satan. We are just before losing our freedom because, again we will not stand up and speak up .
Attorney Richard Mast is correct. The miscreant organization FFRF is wrong to intimidate/threaten local schools and related organizations and I am extremely pleased that the Walker County BoD and Liberty Council have correctly assessed the situation and have chosen to call the FFRF bluff…that action is the beginning of the end for such ludicrous orgs and their misplaced secular progressive agenda.
Its about time that people make a stand against the Wisconsin Crybaby Bigots. They cant be bullying and harrassing people of faith based on their hate for religion. This all amounts to much ado about nothing. No one is complaining, except for say a single sourpuss who wants to rain on everyones parade just because they're not happy or insecure in their pitiful lives. Fools fear what they don't understand.
Jay Shepherd, I know your going to troll/stalk around here getting stupid with me and everyone here, so save your energies. No one cares about what you have to say on this Mr Stalking Bigot.