When it comes to this, from Pusillanimous Wanker, a Democrat and a Republican can agree. Even though it does come way of Atrios, I still agree. (original story here)
ATLANTA — A federal judge on Monday denied an appeal for reinstatement by a University of Georgia cheerleading coach accused of mingling religion with team activities. Marilou Braswell was fired in August, according to university officials, for retaliating against a Jewish cheerleader who had complained about pressure to participate in Bible study and team prayers.
The case has drawn attention to sports in Georgia, where coaches often lead players in prayer or worship.
. . . Cheerleaders, she said, were pressured to attend Bible study sessions at the coach’s home, led by her husband, a minister. Steele also said Braswell led prayers before sporting events. And Steele complained that the listserv used by cheerleaders was a vehicle for prayer requests.
"She came in our office crying, saying: ‘I just can’t take this anymore,’ " said Deborah Lauter, southeast regional director of the Anti-Defamation League. "She had dealt with this for a long time."
PW states:
Now, for what must be the hundredth time, I’m going to say . . . I, and no one else I know, are trying to A) say students cannot pray or B) advocate "kicking God out of school". What I AM saying is that public officials, in positions of authority, should not be allowed to advocate for their own faith in the course of performing their duties.
Agreed. Personally, I do not believe the whole "separation of Church and State" argument that many have put forth. In my reading, that is not what the 1st Amendment states. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…. Simply, Congress cannot pass any laws for or against religion. The Framers were worried about a national religion, such as the one that not only drove the Pilgrims from England, but the religion put upon the colonies by the Church of England, as well as the influence that the Church had in the daily lives of the Colonists. The Framers felt that the People should be able to worship as they wanted, free of governmental influence or involvement.
This is not the same as a religious emblem, such as a cross, menorah, a manger scene, even the Ten Commandments being displayed on public property. People are free to look or not. And all religions should have the Right to display their religious icons. What we have here is forced religion at a publicly funded university. Besides the obvious impropriety of the actions, how can forcing ones religious views on another person be worthy of that religion? Religion has to be felt, not forced.
I don’t agree that the country wasn’t founded on Christianity, but that is an argument for a different day. In this case, I agree with PW.
