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School Prayer: Students Gather Without Coaches; Legal Defense Fund Grows
September 1, 2009
Dozens of athletes prayed after a Friday night ballgame without their coaches, and the criminal defense fund for Frank Lay and Robert Freemen continues to grow.
After last Friday night’s Pace High versus Navarre High School game, football players and cheerleaders from both schools gathered together on the field for prayer. Noticeably absent were the coaches and adult leaders from both schools.
In meantime to the legal defense fund for Lay and Freeman has grown to nearly $38,000. Lay, the Pace High School principal, and Freeman, Pace athletic director, face federal criminal charges for praying before a meal at a field house dedication despite an order against prayer in Santa Rosa County Schools issued in response to an ACLU lawsuit.
Started on Monday, August 3, the fund was at $5,220 by Thursday, August 6. By Monday, the fund balance was at $38,818.57. The funds will be used to pay the legal expenses for Lay and Freeman, and fund organizers say that if there are any funds leftover after all legal fees are paid, they will be donated to the Liberty Counsel. The non-profit Liberty Counsel provides legal services and actively fights the ACLU. The Liberty Counsel was actively involved in the defense of Michelle Winkler, recently by a federal judge on charges she violated the no-prayer order. (Read more here.)
The Farmer’s Opry in Chumuckla will hold a benefit concert and supper on September 10 from 5:30 until. The Saw Mill Band, the Hendersons and Crossroads will perform. The event, which includes a hamburger, french fry and baked bean supper, will begin at 5:30.
A web site set up for the two men, layfreemandefense.com, asks supporters to make donations to the Lay and Freeman Defense Fund at any First National Bank of Florida. The site is also selling t-shirts for $10 and lists other events in support of the fund.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in federal court almost a year ago against the Santa Rosa School District, Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and then-Santa Rosa Superintendent John Rogers. The suit alleged that Santa Rosa County Schools “persistently and persuasively promote their personal religious beliefs in the public schools and at school events”.
A federal court order earlier this year prohibited, among other things, any prayer in schools, “reading from a sacred text”, “calling upon a deity to offer guidance, assistance or a blessing” and religious services such as baccalaureate services. There are circumstances were student-led prayers are permissible, but school employees are prohibited to participate in the prayer, even prohibited from “a posture or manner that is likely to be perceived as an endorsement of prayer, e.g. bowing their heads, kneeling or folding their hands”.
The ACLU has requested documents from Escambia County Schools, prompting the district to err on the side of caution when it comes to prayer at organized school events.
Pictured top: Athletes from Pace High School (in blue) and Navarre High School (in white) gather for prayer after a kickoff classic football game last Friday night at Pace High School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
23 Responses to “School Prayer: Students Gather Without Coaches; Legal Defense Fund Grows”
“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.” John Adams
I pray this for myself: that I would realize the cost of my freedom, to know what freedom looks like, and to use my freedom in Christ to fight the good fight for the freedom of others. Amen
I am very proud of these kids as well. I would be proud of my daughter if she broke this stupid “no prayer in schools” rule. As long as she is standing up for God then she’s done her very best no matter if she’s in prison or what. Daniel was thrown in the lions den for praying, but still continued to pray after all that, and it changed people and got him out of the den. Prayer really does work and there is a God. People need to open their eyes and see that we’re not teaching our children to break rules or to live holy only when it’s necessary on sundays. Grant it some are in church on sunday’s and in the bars on saturdays but we have to continue to lift them up in prayer and let the Lord deal with them. We shouldn’t be going to church to look at what peole is doing, but to worship the Lord.
Just a thought:
When will the ALCU bring a lawsuit against these kids (or their parents) for the cost of the lights that the county paid for during their exercise of their religious freedom?
BarrineauParkDad,
I could not agree more and if any of these back-slapping bloggers bothered reading the report, they would realize that it takes far more than prayer to produce quality young adults. And judging by the report, it appears far too much faith is placed on prayer and not nearly enough time is spent teaching their children right from wrong. A perfect example is their praise for these kids continued support of this guy Frank Lay who has continued to break the law. You are teaching your children that it is okay to violate law, if you think the law is unjust. Well that is a poor example to set and these kids will suffer the consequences by becoming law-breaking citizens. Hope mom and dad will be proud when they have to visit them in the slammer.
Frank Lay should and will be fired, just wait and see.
“Hypocrites” You hit the nail on the head. Its a whole lot easier to put up a big show on how righteous one is vs. actually getting involved, setting a good example and raising your kids to do right. They see mom and dad put on a good show Sunday morning and then drink, cuss and gossip about their neighbors the remainder of the week. Lesson learned: Put a up a good front when necessary and do what ever you like any other time.
“We despise all reverences and all the objects of reverence which are outside the pale of our own list of sacred things. And yet, with strange inconsistency, we are shocked when other people despise and defile the things which are holy to us.”
Mark Twain- Following the Equator
I forgot to congratulate the students who organized and participated in the events. they showed great maturity and respect as they organized and acted peacefully with out any problems. way to go kids, wait I mean young adults, no I mean future leaders of this country! peaceful protest and respect for others. we can all learn from this weather you agree with the issue or not. they organized and took action and did it the right way, way to go!!!! I am very proud of these fine students!
with the support of the community, anything is possible. we should take note of this and start taking action on other issues that face the community. some of these things seem to big for an individual but as a community, we can do it. this is our country, our state, our county, (you get the idea) we need to take it back and let the government know how we feel. the government should be scared of the citizens not the other way around. a famous person said something like that I don’t know who or the exact phrase but the point is the same. I am tiered of the government not serving the people. our elected officials are not doing their jobs, it is time to take action and it starts with each one of us. thank you for reading my coments.
I wish millions would stand up against such oppressions in this country especially since we are paying for everything !!
I must say I take great pride in graduating from Pace High.
Hold true to the red white and blue!
Stay strong!
Way to go guy’s this is the only way to face these Giants that are trying to take the Lord out of everything! This is the Generation to change the way the world is!
This is wonderful!!! Praise the LORD….I LOVE IT!!! AWESOME
Instead of worrying about whether or not you can pray at school or school functions, why don’t you concentrate on what your kids are learning at home. Take a look at the link below and you will see the statistics of what your kids are really learning. For a county that claims to be so religiously united, there sure is a lot of physical abuse, alcohol and drug abuse and teen pregnancy. The thing most lacking is parental involvement and family values. So instead of screaming from your soapbox about religious prayer, try talking to and getting to know your children.
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/mentalhealth/publications/fysas/08Survey/SantaRosaCounty.pdf
Stand Firm! Continue to stand firm in your faith. It is so encouraging to see Christians come together and stand for what is right.
You know it’s real dumb of people to get someone in trouble for praying before any kind of function. If you don’t want to hear it get out!!! Others want to bless their food or function!!!!!! Just like if you don’t want to say the pledge, shut up or get out!
You go guys and gals, what ever happened to the freedom of speech?? Where do these people get off trying to control peoples beliefs?? Here in the UK religion is taught in schools, prayers are said everyday without fail. If parents object their child can be excused, all religious faiths are taught. This way kids get to make informed choices!! Where ever you may be let your prayers be send free!!
Way to go Young People!
If we who call ourselves Christian would humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways, repent and seek God’s face then GOD (not the ACLU) will hear our prayer and heal our land.
One day even the ACLU will bow before God and admit the he is Lord of Lord and King of Kings.
I am proud to say that my son attends Pace High School and can be a part of this history making event.
Students, Thank you, You are the best, Stand up and support our Lord Jesus, He shall Bless you for he see what you have done, When will we adults stand with these children and band together and tell all IN GOD WE TRUST, and if you don’t like look for another place to live. We NEED GOD in everyone of our lives and this Great Country we need GOD also
I played ball for Northview back in 1996 and we said the Lords prayer before every game. theones who wanted to joined in and those who didn’t were not asked to participate in the prayer. I see nothing wrong in asking a prayer. This country needs to remember that it was brought about in one part for freedom of religion. No matter what religion you are you should still have the right to voice it. I would like to say thankyou to these guys and these atheletes for their willingness to support and fight for there beliefs. THANKYOU AND GOD BLESS
way to go…i commend these students….it takes guts…and they have them!!!
This is a great! We need more youth on fire for Jesus like this. I am 23 years old and I fully support this Coach and Principal! I am buying my tee-shirt!
A child shall lead them!!!! The unity of the teams and cheerleaders for prayer after a school sponsored game is moving!!! Personally I think it shows great character of all the athletes and students to come together and pray publically!!! Way to go STUDENTS!!!
Of course, I guess the ACLU will have something to say about the kids using the football field to pray on next….. ACLU go home, go find someone else to alienate for a while.
Way to go students!!!!