Aug 22, 2012
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A Wisconsin-based group has accused a Georgia high school football coach of violating the First Amendment by allowing local churches to prepare meals for his team.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the superintendent of Walker County Schools demanding an “immediate investigation” into Ridgeland High School football coach Mark Mariakis.
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The FFRF is a Wisconsin-based group whose purpose is to “protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church.”
They are demanding the school system launch an investigation into allegations that Coach Mariakis 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 FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel. “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.”
The Walker County School system released a statement acknowledging they have received the letter and are reviewing its contents.
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 kis 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.”
Robert Jeffress, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, and a national commentator on social issues, said it’s time for Christians to stand up against the attacks from the FFRF.
“The Freedom From Religion Foundation has dedicated itself to perverting the very real First Amendment freedom of religious expression for an imaginary freedom from religious expression,” he told Fox News. “It is time for all Christians to push back against the attempts of atheistic groups and judicial activists to erase our constitutional right of freedom of religious expression.”
Ken Klukowski, special counsel for the Family Research Council said the FFRF has a long history of going after public displays of religion. Their mission, he said is very clear.
“They believe all religious faith is inherently and irredeemably harmful to human society,” Klukowski told Fox News. “It’s not their mission to separate church and state. It’s their mission to eradicate religion from American culture altogether.”
He said the Wisconsin-based group wants a “purely secular environment.”
“They pursue it with a militant zeal that is foreign to most people in this country,” he said.
That may be the case, but according to Klukowski – they may in fact have a case against Ridgeland High School.
“If they are suing on behalf of one of the students, even though they should not prevail, they could,” he said.
It’s unclear based on the letter sent to the school district whether the complainant is a student or member of the local community.
If, for example, the student was a member of the football team and objected to attending a local church, the FFRF could have a case – primarily because of the makeup of the Supreme Court, he said.
“If our law pertaining to religious liberty under the Constitution is anything resembling what it was for the first two centuries of our national life, then they wouldn’t have a prayer,” he added.
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Perhaps it would be helpful if FFRF and other radical groups that are trying to eradicate the "free practice of religion" actually READ the Constitution of the U.S. There are some interesting things in it, but no where does it mention "separation of church and state" or "freedom from religion".
Now this – I don't see the big deal of letting a church group feed some kids. If they're not prosetylizing and forcing a belief on the kids, who caresS? It's just food.
If the Black Panther organization provided a free meal they would have no problem with it. How ironic…the BPO could recruit our children but religious groups who provide meals cannot. I agree, we need to take this group head on and stop this preverse way to attack religious organizations providing goods and services for the good of their communities.
Its ok to be a Christian, just keep it behind closed doors or we will socially persecute you. If you are a politician or work for a government institution you must be publically atheist and privately whatever. Instead of killing, imprisioning, and burning our worship sites as Stalin, Lenin, and Map did they are trying to eradicate us via constitutional manipulation. Stand up for our right to worship in public how we see fit!
What business is it of someone from Wisconsin. If you don't live here keep your nose out of it. I have a question for the group. What will you tell God when you stand before him?
Wow. You simply have no real idea what's going on, do you?
I would like to suggest that The Freedom From Religion Foundation Feed the Football Teams…as long as the Parents of these children don't object, what"s the problem? As a Football Parent that has fed Football Teams…It is a big undertaking…Where we live, we know it is a Big Job and we welcome any group with character willing to support our Young Men…the young men on our team represent Christian, Muslim and Jewish Faiths and we have had a young lady on the team…and if there were an Atheist on the team, we would embrace them too…Kind of tired of the focus on separation…why not be inclusive and open to all…"Believers and Non-Believers"…why do we have to choose a side and turn our nose up at the other side…Today's Young People embrace each other much more than the adults do…Adults need to take note…I would like to challenge The Freedom From Religion Foundation to help out and Sponsor one of those Pre-Game Meals and let their voice be heard in a more positive way that ultimately helps the kids…Who do they suggest feed the Teams if the Church doesn't and is The Freedom From Religion Foundation going to help out with feeding the Team? Just wondering!
“If our law pertaining to religious liberty under the Constitution is anything resembling what it was for the first two centuries of our national life, then they wouldn’t have a prayer,” he added.
Of course they don't have a prayer: they're atheists!
OTOH, they are attempting to force their religion upon everyone, enforced by the government; that is just as much a violation of the supposed 'separation' as anything they rail against.
Atheism and Humanism are just as much religions as Christianity or any other, unlike agnosticism.
No. Just, just no.
Absolutely ridiculous!!! Those people need to get a life!!!
In SG we pray any where from food courts to malls and many many more places. US is not sounding so free.
The FFRF is as supportive of freedom of speech and freedom of religion as the former Soviet Union was. This is all about atheists trying to suppress freedom of speech and freedom of religion b/c they're offended and thin skinned crybabies.
I am Vice President of our football booster club in Long County, Georgia. Our local churches provide the pre-game meals for our high school football team. I don't see any secular organization coming to our school to provide them with a much needed meal before the game. If you don't want any of our local churches to provide the pregame meal, then you must provide it. Relieve my pastor and church members from such duties. I'm sure none of the local pastors and congregations would object if you provided 50 adolescents with a solid, healthy square meal of smoked chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, biscuit, brownies for dessert, and plenty of Gatorade. The total cost for a pregame meal averages about $500. We play 10 regular season games and 2 scrimmages for a total of 12 games. The total pregame meal cost is approximately $6000. The Wisconsin Group can provide each team in Georgia $6000 in pregame meals per year.
¡Amén amén!
Give me a break!!!! Do people REALLY have nothing better to complain about than people giving of their time and money to serve OUR kids. What does it matter if a church is serving the meal… It doesn't mean we are laying hands on them or anything…..
The group encroaching on our children in Georgia are from Wisconsin. Their agenda is to make money out of suing people and organizations. They will use this publicity to make money "for the defense against religion's encroachment on civil rights." It's how they make their living. They have never even stepped foot in Walker County or Ridgeland High School; they must have read about it from local newspapers. If they were truly suing because a parent or player complained, then they would have investigated and would speak from 1st hand experience.
I'm an atheist and this is just embarrassing. Seriously, FFRF is giving us atheists a bad name. Apart from that their behavior is extremely paranoid, totally irrational and bordering fascist. So what if a church wants to help those kids? So what if they prepare meals for them? So what if they pray? It's their choice! Luckily, they have a choice! This is ridiculous, really. It would be something to laugh at if the behavior of FFRF wasn't so openly fascist.
No FFRF, you don't speak for other atheists. You lot only speak for yourselves. As an atheist I find FFRF's actions despicable and appalling. It's called "freedom of religion", let those who want to pray and do stuff connected to it pray and do stuff connected to it. They're not hurting anyone, they're not infringing on anyone's rights. FFRF, just sod off.
Hey Christians, could you please throw in a prayer or two for the paranoid nuts at FFRF? They probably need it desperately.
These INTOLERANT atheists. Somebody needs to boycott them.
That's Mikey Weinstein's group, a perennial persecutor of Christian Chaplains
Bunch of lazy,no good Babies!!! I would not even respond to their complaint!! They have no Authority in another State than the one they are From!!
That's the liberals for ya. They'd rather spend everyones' tax money to feed them than to let a church congregations' tithes feed them.
Right Zach. The more dependent everyone gets on Federal help the more likely it will be that liberals stay in office.
Right Zach. The more dependent everyone gets on Federal help the more likely it will be that liberals stay in office.
If the Atheist's only new that the purpose of the First Amendment was to prevent religious leaders such as the Pope from over powering Government and nothing more. Prayer is a freedom of speech.
Keep on feeding these Football players and preaching Gods word to them. It is better than what the world has to offer. We will do the same here in Alabama. Jesus is The Way!
I am fed up with people who don't even live in our communities telling us what we can and can't do. This began with that Athiest woman suing to prevent prayer in schools. It an Athiest can raise their children to be an Athiest, then a Protestat or Catholic or any other religion should be able to raise their children the way they think best. We have given in to the minority long enough. It is high time the Majority takes over. Richard A. Duncan, Carrrollton, Ga. 30117
we all are,but i was raised to tell the truth
we have to start setting an example to the world
when i was in the army,i saw a lot of atheist turn to christ,
change is a constant,u cannot stop it,that is why christ is my insurance
THANK YOU!!! AMEN!!!!!!!!!!
The same thing that Steph said! Thank u and Amen!!!!
I totally agree!!!!!
Well said Mr. Duncan! Amen!!!
Amen Richard!
Richard thanks for telling it like it is! AMEN!
Well good for him, maybe the parents and kids should decide what they want not the FFRF!
good morning,, some forget what the state and church relationship should be.. It just says that the government cant dictate if we go to church or not and what church we belong to.. Our forefathers were devoutly religious and just said that the gov should not dictate what or when or how, or if…
Give the coach a medal and tell the FFRF to go to Hell!
As a resident of Walker County, I would like to mention that you can honestly find at lest one church in every neighborhood. For example, we have one on our street, and around three more within a 5 mile radius. We live in the Bible belt, a place where the majority is Christian. What's my point? When the larger amount of a community belongs to local churches, the church tends to become "the social gathering place" Interesting piece of info for the FFRF, at any given time, a church fellowship hall is being used by the community for birthday party, reunions, and a multitude of many other events. When we have fellowship dinners, no one forces the community to attend, yet they do. It is a local and free place for gathering, something that we as Christians are more than happy to provide! On a final note, I would to share something an agnostic once told me. "A Christian offering to pray for me is far from an offence, but a compliment. It means they care enough about me to turn to a God they trust in my benefit, so pray away." I firmly believe that is wrong to cast judgement on any situation, let alone one you are not personally experiencing. Coach Mariakis is doing nothing wrong.
REALLY? I didn't hear that anyone was forced to do any of it! they know where the meal comes from if they don't want it don't get it WOW! GOD BLESS US ALL! FORGIVE THEM LORD FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO!
Just read this and it seriously makes me mad…. I mean really people doing a good deed and feeding a group of children? That's a crime too now?
Did you see the picture of the shirt I posted? If it had been a mosque they wouldve called it a cultural exchange program.
I saw your post & guessed it was the Freedom From Religion group again. I guessed correctly. It should be titled the Freedom From Christianity group because thatvis DLL they go after. They even got Chic-Fil-a to cave last year. A horrible organization if you ask me!
There's a little known group in DC called Americans United or AU that is a spinoff of the ACLU and they have a lot of influence. It's one to watch out for.
I googled what I could feed a football team because I have to make food for Joshua's team in three weeks and that's a lot of food haha… and this is what came up! I was seriously mad!
Just read this and it seriously makes me mad…. I mean really people doing a good deed and feeding a group of children? That's a crime too now?