Sep 19, 2012
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It’s football time in Tennessee where longtime gridiron traditions are cherished – from Rocky Top to the Pride of the Southland Marching Band. At the start of every game inside the colossal Neyland Stadium, thousands of the football faithful rise to their feet, remove their hats and pause for the pre-game prayer.
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But in recent days the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s pre-game prayer has come under attack. The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a cease and desist letter to the public university calling for them to abandon the long-time tradition.
“This is a public university, not a Christian club,” wrote Annie Gaylor, co-president of the FFRF in a letter to the chancellor. “When you’re not religious or are of another faith and you get prayed at during events, it’s really very grating.”
“It’s a sock in the gut for you to go for a sporting event and then be told to conform to someone else’s religion,” she said in a story published by the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Chancellor Jimmy Cheek responded by saying the pre-game prayers are protected by the U.S. Constitution and will not be silenced on his campus.
“The university will continue to allow prayers before university events,” he wrote in a letter obtained by Fox News.
Cheek cited a court ruling from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that specifically held that “nonsectarian prayer at public university events does not violate the First Amendment.”
And furthermore, Cheek said prayers will also be welcomed at other university events – outside the confines of the football stadium.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that the FFRF sent their cease and desist letter on behalf of UT alumni and students who “felt disenfranchised by the prayers.”
“You roll your eyes and say why is this going on at a government-subsidized event?” retired ecologist and FFRF member Bob Craig told the newspaper. “I also see it at all the high school games where they have prayers before games and after games. It’s really out of place. It’s hurting all those people that don’t have that belief and ostracizing them.”
The university’s decision brought praise from Kevin Brooks, a Republican state representative.
“I was at the game on Saturday and actually commented on how thankful I was that we began the game in prayer and how much I enjoyed the halftime musical performance of Amazing Grace,” he told Fox News.
Brooks said it was alarming that an outside organization from Wisconsin would involve itself in the affairs of another state. There is no separation of church and state in the Constitution, he noted.
“I am so thankful that Tennesseans are going to stand up and say this is the Volunteer State and voluntarily we’re going to keep praying,” Brooks said.
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Lets just say, I'm damn proud of tennessee, Never thought a true bama fan like me would say that.
This country was based on the notion of "One Nation Under God" I do understand why anyone would want religion out of schools, sporting events and other activities. Jimmy Cheek, thank you for standing in what you believe and Annie Gaylor, what are you going to believe on judgement day!?
This country was based on the notion of "One Nation Under God" I do understand why anyone would want religion out of schools, sporting events and other activities. Jimmy Cheek, thank you for standing in what you believe and Annie Gaylor, what are you going to believe on judgement day!?
This country was based on the notion of "One Nation Under God" I do understand why anyone would want religion out of schools, sporting events and other activities. Jimmy Cheek, thank you for standing in what you believe and Annie Gaylor, what are you going to believe on judgement day!?
part of the destruction of the country the commies have to start some place
Sound like to me that everything ain't bad with the Tn vols
Why should the majority be forced to conform to the minority? I say allow the prayers!
Separation of Church and state .. would it be OK to to wheel in the big screen TV during mass on Sunday
Saying a prayer publicly anywhere or any time is not endorsing a religion, it is endorsing GOD, and HE will have the last word.So take it up with GOD not HIS believers.
I want to pray – I have that freedom! Thank God I have that FREEDOM TO TALK TO HIM!
Also we may want to show support for Hobby Lobby and do some shopping. I can always buy something for Christmas (Happy Birthday, JESUS).
Well golly gosh darned! FINALLY, someone is willing to stand up to miscreant bullies like the FFRF. My hat's off to the University of Tennessee. If more organizations were willing to actually stand up for thier rights, groups like the FFRF would simply become like unto noisy little brats throwing a tantrum in the background. NOW is the time to stand.
I am definitely a Tennessee Vols fan today! Heck, maybe even tomorrow too! No one is forcing you to "conform to someone else’s religion". It's time you put on your big boy/girl pants and stop looking for a reason to be offended.
I am definitely a Tennessee Vols fan today! Heck, maybe even tomorrow too! No one is forcing you to "conform to someone else’s religion". It's time you put on your big boy/girl pants and stop looking for a reason to be offended.
If everyone stood up to these liberal nuts, we could stop the nonsense. So proud of Tennessee.
Will never give up prayer at football games or anywhere else. Stand up America against these anti-Christian nuts trying to harm this country… a Christian country.
As a TN Tech Univ graduate, I have to say I am proud of UT making a stand. Just because a non-Christian doesn't want to hear a prayer does not mean the other 90% that want to pray have to be quiet. Just more of the confused bunch trying to get everyone on their sheet of music and push God out. The Constitution's First Amendment states Freedom OF Religion, NOT Freedom FROM Religion. At least get yourself properly educated there Ms Gaylor and Mr Craig.
Not a Vols fan, BUT GO VOLS!
They need all the prayer they can get!
Good job University of Tennessee! If people don't like the prayer, they can put in ear plugs and shut tha heck up!
As we see here, since we know that Separation of church and state was a scam lifted out of a personal letter to the Danbury Baptist Ass where Jefferson was reasuring them that the Federal government was not going to tell them how to run their denomination. We then look at his comments 3 years later and he states that the federal government has no business according to the Constitution to tell the states and the religious leaders of the communities how to live out their lives of faith. If you want to say a prayer at a graduation or a football game according to Jefferson it's none of the Feds business! But they will ignore the truth of Jefferson's statement and continue to promote the extreme Separation lie which helps expunge Christian views from the market place and reinforces the 29th Communist goal for America which was entered in the Congressional Record on Jan 10 1963 Goal 28." Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state." that's right folks that was a verifiable published goal of the Russian Communists in 1963 to help overthrow America. And you thought that was just "Sophisticated" "Progressive" thought. No that was right out of the Cold War Communist Leadership plans for the takeover of America. The same ideology that murdered 149 million of it's own citizens in the 20 century! Furthermore, The author of Marxism, Karl Marx couldin't even take care of his own family, his two daughters and a son-in-law committed suicide, three children died of malnutrition. And some want to follow that man's philosphy. The only people who really want that type of govornment are the ones who like to be in charge and put their jack boots on the peoples throats and they do do it just ask the 149 million who were excuted or worked to death.
On June 17th 1963 they got it done six months after these goals were exposed to the public in the Congress. It's about time Christians start standing up and exposing the lies of the Communist Left in this country. States and communities need to stand up and practice their faith the way they choose. Now remember if your a Christian the ACLU will try to intimidate your community, tell them to pack sand and contact the ACLJ or other Christian advocacy groups to help for free. But you'll notice the Muslim wont ever be bothered by the ACLU just Christians. The ACLU needs to be shutdown, the only cases they take on is to shut down your prayer and your expressions of public faith or defend known terrorists or communists, flag burners or anyone else who is actively involved in undermining or destroying America and their all over that, the ACLU salivates when they see those opportunities.
"In matters of religion I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the General Government. I have therefore undertaken, on no occasion, to prescribe the religious exercise suited to it; but have left them, as the Constitution found them, under the direction and discipline of state and church authorities by the several religious societies. Jefferson 1805
My right to bear arms will give me the right to pray.
Go Big Orange!!!
I'd like to see someone try to tell the 100,000+ in Neyland Stadium that they can't pray. That would go over about as well as a fart in a space suit. I haven't had much to cheer about with UT's football program the last few years, but this is one thing that I am extremely proud of UT for. GO VOLS!
That's awesome! GO VOLS!!!
Vol nation agrees!
You hit the nail on the head Mark!
You hit the nail on the head Mark!
You hit the nail on the head Mark!
prayer at football games at the University of Tennessee is nothing more than a public religious spectacle on the largest stage in the state. We do not pray at basketball games, baseball games, (certainly not any girls' sports), track meets, swim meets or any other sports event I have ever attended. I have never heard anyone at a Lady Vols basketball game suddenly express distress in not praying before a game. We do not pray at the movies, at theater performances, or concerts. I have never seen or heard a student or group of students claim their right to pray is being taken away at events where no prayer has traditionally existed, even though those events still have huge crowds. So, why is it so important to pray at football games? The reason is because this is where the most people are gathered and where the biggest public prayer spectacle can be made and a religious will imposed upon people whether or not they want it.
Who says that the Government does not endorse religion? Our founding documents even give endorsement to "The Creator".
It's about time someone stood up to this group! They have no basis in their arguments. Especially since no where in the Constitution does it say that government and religion are to be separated. I'm from Knoxville and this just makes me even more proud to be a VOLUNTEER!
Go back and read how this great Country was founded. You might learn something….it states freedom of religion….period.
Go back and read how this great Country was founded. You might learn something….it states freedom of religion….period.
So proud that TN is not falling for their threats
So proud that TN is not falling for their threats
Hats off to U of T! If we all don't start raising a stink about this anti-Christian hate, it won't be long before we'll have a knife at our throats asking us if we follow Christ or Mohammad. "The sinners/wicked shall be cast into hell, and….. ALL the NATIONS that FORGET GOD." Psalms 9:17. It's time to get rid of those that run and teach in our higher education levels that are anti-God, anti-morals, anti-family, anti-America. The root of our problem is our public education and weakness in parenting. Pay attention to what is being taught to your kids. We're at a perilous time and on the brink of disaster with the America- hating leadership we have. This is not the democrat party it's the Communist party and needs to be called what it is. Let's back any one holding to Christian values and we must remember they need to be the Christian values that Bible teaches, not man-made ideas/values. Pray for our nation.
Sincerely – Romans 16:16.
Hats off to U of T! If we all don't start raising a stink about this anti-Christian hate, it won't be long before we'll have a knife at our throats asking us if we follow Christ or Mohammad. "The sinners/wicked shall be cast into hell, and….. ALL the NATIONS that FORGET GOD." Psalms 9:17. It's time to get rid of those that run and teach in our higher education levels that are anti-God, anti-morals, anti-family, anti-America. The root of our problem is our public education and weakness in parenting. Pay attention to what is being taught to your kids. We're at a perilous time and on the brink of disaster with the America- hating leadership we have. This is not the democrat party it's the Communist party and needs to be called what it is. Let's back any one holding to Christian values and we must remember they need to be the Christian values that Bible teaches, not man-made ideas/values. Pray for our nation.
Sincerely – Romans 16:16.
Equality for all….is a democracy….
I love a bold, simple response from a University Chancellor that is not afraid of some potential negative press and instead speaks for thousands that stand for a simple thing like prayer before a football game!
Annie Gaylor of the FFRF says "Its like a sock in the gut.. to be told to conform to someone else's religion" when there is prayer at public sporting events. Really Annie? If I just wanted to state the obvious lameness of her metaphor I'd say she should ask one of her fellow atheists to really sock her in the gut just so she can tell if it truly feels the same, I would bet it wouldn't. But I'm not suggesting violence is the answer, as its not, the answer is for her and her atheist friends to quit thinking they, a small minority of Americans, have the right to dictate how the majority of citizens must act in public, and to stop being so childishly thin-skinned as to pretend they are somehow harmed by hearing a 30 second long prayer.
Perhaps also they should read a dictionary to learn the meaning of the word "conform" , as no one is making them "conform" to any religion, as just occasionally hearing a public prayer is not (unfortunately) going to change them into a Christian or believer in God. They are merely being asked to act like decent human beings and respect the rights of the majority of those in attendence to observe a tradition they do believe in strongly. The atheist doesn't have to bow their head, close their eyes, take off their hat or believe in what is being said; perhaps they should use the time to go to the restroom or concession stand, as even many believers are doing this at this time. BTW, Annie, no one is "praying at" you, the pastor doesn't even know you are there, no one is singling you out……except yourself, because every word in your complaint demonstrates just how egotistical and self aborsbed you and your fellow "dis-believers " actually are. From your perspective the other people around you aren't just doing something that comes naturally to them, noooooo, they are deliberately persecuting you, trying to "make you agree with them". Get over yourself Annie, you aren't being victimized in any way and no one is disrespecting your right to believe in Nothing but yourself. But you are disrespecting everyone else's right to do something that harms you in no way at all. Grow up.
Way to go UT! I'm a bigger fan now!
That prayer before the game seems to be working. Rather than stop it, perhaps UT should institute a prayer before the second half as well.
Go VOLS!!!
That's how WE ROLL! LOL
That's how WE ROLL! LOL
That's how WE ROLL! LOL
That's how WE ROLL! LOL
Why is "tolerance" always defined by the " intolerant"? Ridiculous bullying tactic! GO VOLS and keep your resolve because these groups are true HATERS and don't respond well when defied.
We have to start standing up for right versus wrong. Too many people complain from total ignorance. If they don't agree then don't go. Someone will be more than happy to take their place. This country was founded on God. We can't just sit by and watch it die.
I am so glad to be a Vols fan. Thank you to the university for not conforming!!!! Don't back down.
I'm a Mississippi State fan and also TN and I couldn't be more proud of UT standing up for prayer just pray that other Universities will take their lead and do then same. Go MSU DAWGS and GO VOLS
I'm a Mississippi State fan and also TN and I couldn't be more proud of UT standing up for prayer just pray that other Universities will take their lead and do then same. Go MSU DAWGS and GO VOLS
Perhaps you could stay home if that offends you, because you offend me by butting into the affairs of a state where you don't even live!
You really don't understand do you? FFRF has it's headquarters in Wisconsin but is a national organization. Local members complained to FFRF headquarters who took up the case. Lawsuits like this require a local complainant to have standing in court. I am from Memphis but went to UTK. I am a member of FFRF.
I often wonder about the mindset of Christians. 1) Do you think that ONLY Christian prayers should be said a UT games. 2) Do you think ALL religions should have an oportunity to speak? 3) Would a moment of silence be the best alternative?
Perhaps you could stay home if that offends you, because you offend me by butting into the affairs of a state where you don't even live!
Wow, that is so inspiring. It's rare that people refuse to back down on what they believe in the face of public pressure. That is truly excellent.
In other news, my name is Frank. I'm a 23 year old CONSERVATIVE ACTING STUDENT. Weird, right? I know. Haha. I have always been really passionate about politics, but I only recently started writing. I figured my Facebook friends were getting tired of hearing my political rants, so I started a blog. I would love it if anyone reading this in the comments section could take a look at my blog, give some feedback or even subscribe, if you like it. The address is franklypolitics.wordpress.com
My most recent column was just posted yesterday. Thanks for your time!
- Frank
One of the reasons America was founded was to have one nation under law where the government did not favor any one religion over any other. This is known as separation of church and state. For some reason, however, some Christians insist on engaging in the illegal and un-American practice of mixing church and state under the guise of freedom of speech like at this football game. Christians are free to speak and practice their religion all they want during every football game. This is their right. But they do not have the right to impose their prayer time and religious practice on others. If the university allows this to occur, it makes this government-funded university appear to be endorsing a religion which is illegal and un-American.
This is beginning to piss me off! If you don't like it, don't show up!
Proud of U.T. From U.K. May change my blue flag for a orange.
I respect UT for their stand but changing my flag to orange, that will never happen.