I stand with Chette!!

[finxster 4]

Give us a damn break...even God wants yall to shut the hell up...

Matthew 6

5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

it must be fun to take Scripture and just use it out of context?

You do know that Christians do this more than anyone, right? Not to mention picking and choosing which scriptures apply to them.

It's their book...they are allowed to do it, but we can't.

[finxster 4]

The nit and gritty of the argument boils down to this. And i will disclaim that i am an atheist, who does not give a rat's butt what religion you practice or do not practice. Auburn is a publicly funded institution, (read that they receive grants and funding from state and federal government programs). The treatment of Brother Chette crosses absolutely zero lines, UNTIL their is noted and evident preferential treatment towards players who partake in his services, forced adherence to attending brother Chette's program, negative treatment of those who do not partake in his services, negative treatment of those who seek service outside of Brother Chette, and the denial of other religious assembly's seeking similar access to the program.

The FFRF has provided zero evidence that any of those lines have been crossed, and as such I have no problem with the services FCA and Brother Chette provide to our football team. What many in this thread, on this board, in this state, and in this nation need to remember is that disagreement is not persecution. If when i have a kid, and a teacher/coach/leader of his forces him to pray during class/game/event and he doesn't want to, I'm gonna raise Hell (pun intended) not because i think they are wrong in their beliefs, but because they are forcing said belief on someone who is not receptive to it. I will educate my children on religion, and if they seek it that's all the more power to them, but it will not be forced upon them, by myself, or anyone who holds a leadership position above him.

Having only a christian religious advisor in itself constitutes a problem. Having open prayer with the whole team forces those not wanting to participate, to either have to participate or have a stigma placed on them. If a student needs to seek christian council, there are student organizations on campus that have that purpose, and there are 100 churches withing a few blocks of any place you stand. He should not have an auburn.edu email address, he should not have an office on campus, he should not be allowed to perpetuate the myth of a christian god.

If you read the last tenant I expressed in the first paragraph you will understand where, constitutionally, auburn is ok. As far as I, or you, or anyone else knows, no other religious assembly has requested access to the same degree as FCA. But should a similar group request access and be denied, then an appropriate lawsuit will be filed and they will either be granted access, or the removal of all access for eligious oriented groups will cease. Until then, there is no legal imperative for auburn to act on this matter.

Where did I say otherwise? Because it isn't illegal, doesn't make it right...

[Weegle777 78]

Unsurprisingly, I think many of you are missing the point. This group doesn't care if the players practice their religion, they're more concerned with the fact that an authority figure at a public university is leading these players in worship. Whether Chette is paid by the university or not, he's clearly supported by the university as well as the coaching staff. I think their concern is for the players who (probably very privately) might not share these beliefs and feel uncomfortable/ostracized.

Believe it or not, not everyone shares yalls beliefs, nor do they have to. I know this thread is all about high-fiving for Jesus but try...just try...to look at this from the perspective of someone who doesn't share your beliefs. I allow my players to pray every single time they step on the field/court but do I ,or anyone else in a position of authority, lead them? No way. Do I think that a pastor should be available to the athletes? Sure, but there should be a system of support available to players of all beliefs and nonbeliefs.

Flame on.

So much fail.

You really showed me.

You post that crap and then expect something better?

Weegs, that was not "crap" and you know it. It was a reasoned response that makes total sense.

What sentence would you pick out as "crap"?

I don't know, maybe where he contradicted himself by saying that no one in a position of authority should lead players, but that a pastor should be made available? And Chette isn't even in a position of authority.

[AUEngineer2016 407]

The work-around has always been that Chette is not employed by the university or the athletic dept and participation in his program is completely voluntary.

It always seems strange to me that some people who believe God to be false find themselves so concerned that others would believe otherwise. Why wouldn't they just pity us for our beliefs or shake their super smart liberal heads in disgust. What purpose does attacking it serve?

Now if a player was actively unable to express his beliefs then that's another thing...

This is where common sense and religious liberty should trump this nutty lawyer-Ruffic liberalism that is destroying our country.

That is not the argument here though. The organization is called The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), and their goal is to have complete separation of church and state (as is set forth through the First Amendment). Their argument in demanding Chette be removed is that even though he is not directly employed by the university, he still clearly works for them. He is given access that a normal volunteer wouldn't be given, simply because he is a Chaplain, and they argue that the preferential treatment he receives solely based on his religious choice is unconstitutional because Auburn is a public university. To an extent, I think their argument is well founded, though I don't agree with it. From what I have seen and experienced, Chette (or any chaplain for that matter) does not serve to force their beliefs on the players, but rather be a resource for the players and a religious advocate.

They also go into some speculation about players feeling that they have to "Pray to Play", but honestly I think that hurts their argument more than it helps it. Legally, I can understand their concern about the constitutionality of Chette's position (even if I don't agree with it), but the coaching staff's job relies very heavily on winning football games, and I can't imagine that they wouldn't put the best players on the field simply because they had a different religious belief. It's plausible, but definitely not probable.

"The Bill of Rights : Full Text

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

It says Congress can make no law to establish a Religion. The Framers themselves had Religious people lead them in prayer while drafting the Constitution. It amazes me that this simple statement written by people who had no problem with having prayers at their meeting can be interpreted that there can be no religious influence that people who say that there has to be a total separation ignore that the people who made the statement didn't mean that which can be seen by their own actions.\

Basically Congress can't declare a National Religion is all the first amendment actually states. It was there because as we saw in the past and still see in some countries it required for every body to be Catholic or Church of England or in many Arab Countries Sunni or Shiite Moslem. We ignore both the actual statement in the First Amendment and the writing's of Madison who wrote it when we say there has to be a total 100% separation of Church and state.

I understand the reasoning that it was created as well as the language used in the First Amendment, but it is also important to note how that amendment has functioned in society. One example is the 1947 Everson v. Board of Education case in which a New Jersey law existed that allowed government funds to pay for transportation for students going to both public and Catholic schools. The court concluded that "The First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state. That wall must be kept high and impregnable. We could not approve the slightest breach." This ruling established a precedent that no matter how slight a combination of church and state may be, it must not be tolerated.

Again, I don't think that the FFRF is correct in their argument, just playing Devil's Advocate that they do have evidence to support their claim.

[chimesAU 89]

Unsurprisingly, I think many of you are missing the point. This group doesn't care if the players practice their religion, they're more concerned with the fact that an authority figure at a public university is leading these players in worship. Whether Chette is paid by the university or not, he's clearly supported by the university as well as the coaching staff. I think their concern is for the players who (probably very privately) might not share these beliefs and feel uncomfortable/ostracized.

Believe it or not, not everyone shares yalls beliefs, nor do they have to. I know this thread is all about high-fiving for Jesus but try...just try...to look at this from the perspective of someone who doesn't share your beliefs. I allow my players to pray every single time they step on the field/court but do I ,or anyone else in a position of authority, lead them? No way. Do I think that a pastor should be available to the athletes? Sure, but there should be a system of support available to players of all beliefs and nonbeliefs.

Flame on.

So much fail.

You really showed me.

You post that crap and then expect something better?

Weegs, that was not "crap" and you know it. It was a reasoned response that makes total sense.

What sentence would you pick out as "crap"?

I don't know, maybe where he contradicted himself by saying that no one in a position of authority should lead players, but that a pastor should be made available? And Chette isn't even in a position of authority.

via Imgflip Meme Maker

[Weegle777 78]

It's so hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that many of you really do think this way.

Think in what way?

Give us a damn break...even God wants yall to shut the hell up...

Matthew 6

5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Probably one of the most ignorant posts I have seen on this subject.

Please enlighten us all with another single sentence answers...

Okay. By your ignorant post you are implying that God wants us to keep our faith to ourselves and behind closed doors. This is incorrect. I said it was ignorant, not stupid. There is a difference.

[Tiger 8,827]

Unsurprisingly, I think many of you are missing the point. This group doesn't care if the players practice their religion, they're more concerned with the fact that an authority figure at a public university is leading these players in worship. Whether Chette is paid by the university or not, he's clearly supported by the university as well as the coaching staff. I think their concern is for the players who (probably very privately) might not share these beliefs and feel uncomfortable/ostracized.

Believe it or not, not everyone shares yalls beliefs, nor do they have to. I know this thread is all about high-fiving for Jesus but try...just try...to look at this from the perspective of someone who doesn't share your beliefs. I allow my players to pray every single time they step on the field/court but do I ,or anyone else in a position of authority, lead them? No way. Do I think that a pastor should be available to the athletes? Sure, but there should be a system of support available to players of all beliefs and nonbeliefs.

Flame on.

I'm getting lost in the back and forth of this thread, but I think Chimes knocked this out of the park and frankly am surprised there has been harsh negative responses to it by people whom I assume are college graduates. It is a respectful, rational, and open-minded post, IMO.

How would people feel if Bruce Pearl had a Rabbi lead the bball team in prayer before and after games? Not all the players are Jewish, but not all the football players are Christian either...

[Weegle777 78]

Unsurprisingly, I think many of you are missing the point. This group doesn't care if the players practice their religion, they're more concerned with the fact that an authority figure at a public university is leading these players in worship. Whether Chette is paid by the university or not, he's clearly supported by the university as well as the coaching staff. I think their concern is for the players who (probably very privately) might not share these beliefs and feel uncomfortable/ostracized.

Believe it or not, not everyone shares yalls beliefs, nor do they have to. I know this thread is all about high-fiving for Jesus but try...just try...to look at this from the perspective of someone who doesn't share your beliefs. I allow my players to pray every single time they step on the field/court but do I ,or anyone else in a position of authority, lead them? No way. Do I think that a pastor should be available to the athletes? Sure, but there should be a system of support available to players of all beliefs and nonbeliefs.

Flame on.

So much fail.

You really showed me.

You post that crap and then expect something better?

Weegs, that was not "crap" and you know it. It was a reasoned response that makes total sense.

What sentence would you pick out as "crap"?

I don't know, maybe where he contradicted himself by saying that no one in a position of authority should lead players, but that a pastor should be made available? And Chette isn't even in a position of authority.

via Imgflip Meme Maker

Please don't.

[gulftiger66 166]

Someone once told me that you don't get ahead arguing either religion or politics...especially on the internet. I'm beginning to believe it. That said, I stand with Brother Chette.

[AUDub 11,153]

Unsurprisingly, I think many of you are missing the point. This group doesn't care if the players practice their religion, they're more concerned with the fact that an authority figure at a public university is leading these players in worship. Whether Chette is paid by the university or not, he's clearly supported by the university as well as the coaching staff. I think their concern is for the players who (probably very privately) might not share these beliefs and feel uncomfortable/ostracized.

Believe it or not, not everyone shares yalls beliefs, nor do they have to. I know this thread is all about high-fiving for Jesus but try...just try...to look at this from the perspective of someone who doesn't share your beliefs. I allow my players to pray every single time they step on the field/court but do I ,or anyone else in a position of authority, lead them? No way. Do I think that a pastor should be available to the athletes? Sure, but there should be a system of support available to players of all beliefs and nonbeliefs.

Flame on.

I'm getting lost in the back and forth of this thread, but I think Chimes knocked this out of the park and frankly am surprised there has been harsh negative responses to it by people whom I assume are college graduates. It is a respectful, rational, and open-minded post, IMO.

How would people feel if Bruce Pearl had a Rabbi lead the bball team in prayer before and after games? Not all the players are Jewish, but not all the football players are Christian either...

Yeah, I was pretty much just going to watch from afar until Weegs decided to be That Guy.

Don't be That Guy, Weegs. Nobody likes That Guy.

[lionheartkc 6,150]

I think this discussion needs to a change of focus. This is not about church and state or Christian and atheist. It's about people poking their nose into things that are not their business in any way, shape, or form and trying to make people change to meet their definition of a perfect world. That kind of crap needs to stop in our society.

I guarantee you, if Brother Chette felt that his presence was a detriment to a single player on the team, he would rectify the situation. ALL he cares about is the lives of these young men, and the fact that any group would attack him because of a title he carries, his personal beliefs, and the fact that he leads prayer, something that nearly every football team has done since the inception of college football, just shows you that they have an agenda and it's not a positive one.

We seriously need a legal statute that expressly prohibits personal offense as having any legal standing. People need to grow up and learn to accept that all kinds of people have all kinds of beliefs and all kinds of opinions and none of them need to be stopped unless they they are bringing actual, definable harm to someone, either physical, or by denying them an actual right. The right to not listen to a prayer or look at a symbol of any kind, I might add, does not exist.

[Weegle777 78]

Someone once told me that you don't get ahead arguing either religion or politics...especially on the internet. I'm beginning to believe it. That said, I stand with Brother Chette.

TONS of wisdom in that statement my friend. The internet is the land of zero accountability.

[Weegle777 78]

Unsurprisingly, I think many of you are missing the point. This group doesn't care if the players practice their religion, they're more concerned with the fact that an authority figure at a public university is leading these players in worship. Whether Chette is paid by the university or not, he's clearly supported by the university as well as the coaching staff. I think their concern is for the players who (probably very privately) might not share these beliefs and feel uncomfortable/ostracized.

Believe it or not, not everyone shares yalls beliefs, nor do they have to. I know this thread is all about high-fiving for Jesus but try...just try...to look at this from the perspective of someone who doesn't share your beliefs. I allow my players to pray every single time they step on the field/court but do I ,or anyone else in a position of authority, lead them? No way. Do I think that a pastor should be available to the athletes? Sure, but there should be a system of support available to players of all beliefs and nonbeliefs.

Flame on.

I'm getting lost in the back and forth of this thread, but I think Chimes knocked this out of the park and frankly am surprised there has been harsh negative responses to it by people whom I assume are college graduates. It is a respectful, rational, and open-minded post, IMO.

How would people feel if Bruce Pearl had a Rabbi lead the bball team in prayer before and after games? Not all the players are Jewish, but not all the football players are Christian either...

Yeah, I was pretty much just going to watch from afar until Weegs decided to be That Guy.

Don't be That Guy, Weegs. Nobody likes That Guy.

That's the problem brother, no one has the stones to step up and BE that guy.

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

I think this discussion needs to a change of focus. This is not about church and state or Christian and atheist. It's about people poking their nose into things that are not their business in any way, shape, or form and trying to make people change to meet their definition of a perfect world. That kind of crap needs to stop in our society.

I guarantee you, if Brother Chette felt that his presence was a detriment to a single player on the team, he would rectify the situation. ALL he cares about is the lives of these young men, and the fact that any group would attack him because of a title he carries, his personal beliefs, and the fact that he leads prayer, something that nearly every football team has done since the inception of college football, just shows you that they have an agenda and it's not a positive one.

We seriously need a legal statute that expressly prohibits personal offense as having any legal standing. People need to grow up and learn to accept that all kinds of people have all kinds of beliefs and all kinds of opinions and none of them need to be stopped unless they they are bringing actual, definable harm to someone, either physical, or by denying them an actual right. The right to not listen to a prayer or look at a symbol of any kind, I might add, does not exist.

Check mate. Well said. +1.

[chimesAU 89]

I think this discussion needs to a change of focus. This is not about church and state or Christian and atheist. It's about people poking their nose into things that are not their business in any way, shape, or form and trying to make people change to meet their definition of a perfect world. That kind of crap needs to stop in our society.

I guarantee you, if Brother Chette felt that his presence was a detriment to a single player on the team, he would rectify the situation. ALL he cares about is the lives of these young men, and the fact that any group would attack him because of a title he carries, his personal beliefs, and the fact that he leads prayer, something that nearly every football team has done since the inception of college football, just shows you that they have an agenda and it's not a positive one.

We seriously need a legal statute that expressly prohibits personal offense as having any legal standing. People need to grow up and learn to accept that all kinds of people have all kinds of beliefs and all kinds of opinions and none of them need to be stopped unless they they are bringing actual, definable harm to someone, either physical, or by denying them an actual right. The right to not listen to a prayer or look at a symbol of any kind, I might add, does not exist.

Check mate. Well said. +1.

It's a whole lot easier to feel this way when your viewpoint is the dominant one.

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

I think this discussion needs to a change of focus. This is not about church and state or Christian and atheist. It's about people poking their nose into things that are not their business in any way, shape, or form and trying to make people change to meet their definition of a perfect world. That kind of crap needs to stop in our society.

I guarantee you, if Brother Chette felt that his presence was a detriment to a single player on the team, he would rectify the situation. ALL he cares about is the lives of these young men, and the fact that any group would attack him because of a title he carries, his personal beliefs, and the fact that he leads prayer, something that nearly every football team has done since the inception of college football, just shows you that they have an agenda and it's not a positive one.

We seriously need a legal statute that expressly prohibits personal offense as having any legal standing. People need to grow up and learn to accept that all kinds of people have all kinds of beliefs and all kinds of opinions and none of them need to be stopped unless they they are bringing actual, definable harm to someone, either physical, or by denying them an actual right. The right to not listen to a prayer or look at a symbol of any kind, I might add, does not exist.

Check mate. Well said. +1.

It's a whole lot easier to feel this way when your viewpoint is the dominant one.

All of your points were well said and made sense as well Chimes, I'm not taking that away from you.

[finxster 4]

I think this discussion needs to a change of focus. This is not about church and state or Christian and atheist. It's about people poking their nose into things that are not their business in any way, shape, or form and trying to make people change to meet their definition of a perfect world. That kind of crap needs to stop in our society.

Exactly! Quit pushing the christian agenda down everyone's throat and into every single piece of society...oh not what you meant???

[chimesAU 89]

Unsurprisingly, I think many of you are missing the point. This group doesn't care if the players practice their religion, they're more concerned with the fact that an authority figure at a public university is leading these players in worship. Whether Chette is paid by the university or not, he's clearly supported by the university as well as the coaching staff. I think their concern is for the players who (probably very privately) might not share these beliefs and feel uncomfortable/ostracized.

Believe it or not, not everyone shares yalls beliefs, nor do they have to. I know this thread is all about high-fiving for Jesus but try...just try...to look at this from the perspective of someone who doesn't share your beliefs. I allow my players to pray every single time they step on the field/court but do I ,or anyone else in a position of authority, lead them? No way. Do I think that a pastor should be available to the athletes? Sure, but there should be a system of support available to players of all beliefs and nonbeliefs.

Flame on.

I'm getting lost in the back and forth of this thread, but I think Chimes knocked this out of the park and frankly am surprised there has been harsh negative responses to it by people whom I assume are college graduates. It is a respectful, rational, and open-minded post, IMO.

How would people feel if Bruce Pearl had a Rabbi lead the bball team in prayer before and after games? Not all the players are Jewish, but not all the football players are Christian either...

Yeah, I was pretty much just going to watch from afar until Weegs decided to be That Guy.

Don't be That Guy, Weegs. Nobody likes That Guy.

That's the problem brother, no one has the stones to step up and BE that guy.

I can't imagine the persecution you must go through on a daily basis being a Christian in the Bible Belt. I'm glad that someone finally has the balls to stand up for Christianity around here.

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

I think this discussion needs to a change of focus. This is not about church and state or Christian and atheist. It's about people poking their nose into things that are not their business in any way, shape, or form and trying to make people change to meet their definition of a perfect world. That kind of crap needs to stop in our society.

Exactly! Quit pushing the christian agenda down everyone's throat and into every single piece of society...oh not what you meant???

Or you could quit pushing your atheist agenda down everyone's throat. Works both ways bud.

[chimesAU 89]

I think this discussion needs to a change of focus. This is not about church and state or Christian and atheist. It's about people poking their nose into things that are not their business in any way, shape, or form and trying to make people change to meet their definition of a perfect world. That kind of crap needs to stop in our society.

I guarantee you, if Brother Chette felt that his presence was a detriment to a single player on the team, he would rectify the situation. ALL he cares about is the lives of these young men, and the fact that any group would attack him because of a title he carries, his personal beliefs, and the fact that he leads prayer, something that nearly every football team has done since the inception of college football, just shows you that they have an agenda and it's not a positive one.

We seriously need a legal statute that expressly prohibits personal offense as having any legal standing. People need to grow up and learn to accept that all kinds of people have all kinds of beliefs and all kinds of opinions and none of them need to be stopped unless they they are bringing actual, definable harm to someone, either physical, or by denying them an actual right. The right to not listen to a prayer or look at a symbol of any kind, I might add, does not exist.

Check mate. Well said. +1.

It's a whole lot easier to feel this way when your viewpoint is the dominant one.

All of your points were well said and made sense as well Chimes, I'm not taking that away from you.

[Weegle777 78]

Unsurprisingly, I think many of you are missing the point. This group doesn't care if the players practice their religion, they're more concerned with the fact that an authority figure at a public university is leading these players in worship. Whether Chette is paid by the university or not, he's clearly supported by the university as well as the coaching staff. I think their concern is for the players who (probably very privately) might not share these beliefs and feel uncomfortable/ostracized.

Believe it or not, not everyone shares yalls beliefs, nor do they have to. I know this thread is all about high-fiving for Jesus but try...just try...to look at this from the perspective of someone who doesn't share your beliefs. I allow my players to pray every single time they step on the field/court but do I ,or anyone else in a position of authority, lead them? No way. Do I think that a pastor should be available to the athletes? Sure, but there should be a system of support available to players of all beliefs and nonbeliefs.

Flame on.

I'm getting lost in the back and forth of this thread, but I think Chimes knocked this out of the park and frankly am surprised there has been harsh negative responses to it by people whom I assume are college graduates. It is a respectful, rational, and open-minded post, IMO.

How would people feel if Bruce Pearl had a Rabbi lead the bball team in prayer before and after games? Not all the players are Jewish, but not all the football players are Christian either...

Yeah, I was pretty much just going to watch from afar until Weegs decided to be That Guy.

Don't be That Guy, Weegs. Nobody likes That Guy.

That's the problem brother, no one has the stones to step up and BE that guy.

I can't imagine the persecution you must go through on a daily basis being a Christian in the Bible Belt. I'm glad that someone finally has the balls to stand up for Christianity around here.

No persecution here. How many times has this organization gone after any belief other than Christianity? And atheism is a belief system and I don't have a personal agenda against atheists. Atheists can believe how they want, it doesn't affect me at all.

[finxster 4]

I think this discussion needs to a change of focus. This is not about church and state or Christian and atheist. It's about people poking their nose into things that are not their business in any way, shape, or form and trying to make people change to meet their definition of a perfect world. That kind of crap needs to stop in our society.

Exactly! Quit pushing the christian agenda down everyone's throat and into every single piece of society...oh not what you meant???

Or you could quit pushing your atheist agenda down everyone's throat. Works both ways bud.

I can continue to push my SECULAR agenda, because it is the law of the land. Please feel free to be a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Pastafarian, or whatever...in your own home and in the comfort of your mind.

[finxster 4]

Unsurprisingly, I think many of you are missing the point. This group doesn't care if the players practice their religion, they're more concerned with the fact that an authority figure at a public university is leading these players in worship. Whether Chette is paid by the university or not, he's clearly supported by the university as well as the coaching staff. I think their concern is for the players who (probably very privately) might not share these beliefs and feel uncomfortable/ostracized.

Believe it or not, not everyone shares yalls beliefs, nor do they have to. I know this thread is all about high-fiving for Jesus but try...just try...to look at this from the perspective of someone who doesn't share your beliefs. I allow my players to pray every single time they step on the field/court but do I ,or anyone else in a position of authority, lead them? No way. Do I think that a pastor should be available to the athletes? Sure, but there should be a system of support available to players of all beliefs and nonbeliefs.

Flame on.

I'm getting lost in the back and forth of this thread, but I think Chimes knocked this out of the park and frankly am surprised there has been harsh negative responses to it by people whom I assume are college graduates. It is a respectful, rational, and open-minded post, IMO.

How would people feel if Bruce Pearl had a Rabbi lead the bball team in prayer before and after games? Not all the players are Jewish, but not all the football players are Christian either...

Yeah, I was pretty much just going to watch from afar until Weegs decided to be That Guy.

Don't be That Guy, Weegs. Nobody likes That Guy.

That's the problem brother, no one has the stones to step up and BE that guy.

I can't imagine the persecution you must go through on a daily basis being a Christian in the Bible Belt. I'm glad that someone finally has the balls to stand up for Christianity around here.

No persecution here. How many times has this organization gone after any belief other than Christianity? And atheism is a belief system and I don't have a personal agenda against atheists. Atheists can believe how they want, it doesn't affect me at all.

Show us where a public institution in America has a Muslim, Jewish, or any other leader leading prayers from their holy book, and I'm sure we can get them right on that...

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

I think this discussion needs to a change of focus. This is not about church and state or Christian and atheist. It's about people poking their nose into things that are not their business in any way, shape, or form and trying to make people change to meet their definition of a perfect world. That kind of crap needs to stop in our society.

Exactly! Quit pushing the christian agenda down everyone's throat and into every single piece of society...oh not what you meant???

Or you could quit pushing your atheist agenda down everyone's throat. Works both ways bud.

I can continue to push my SECULAR agenda, because it is the law of the land. Please feel free to be a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Pastafarian, or whatever...in your own home and in the comfort of your mind.

My apologies for assuming you were atheist when I saw your "mystical Christian God" comment and contrary to what you just said, Christians are called to go across the world and proclaim the name of Jesus. Therefore most of the time Christians don't stick to their homes and minds when it comes to their faith.

[chimesAU 89]

Unsurprisingly, I think many of you are missing the point. This group doesn't care if the players practice their religion, they're more concerned with the fact that an authority figure at a public university is leading these players in worship. Whether Chette is paid by the university or not, he's clearly supported by the university as well as the coaching staff. I think their concern is for the players who (probably very privately) might not share these beliefs and feel uncomfortable/ostracized.

Believe it or not, not everyone shares yalls beliefs, nor do they have to. I know this thread is all about high-fiving for Jesus but try...just try...to look at this from the perspective of someone who doesn't share your beliefs. I allow my players to pray every single time they step on the field/court but do I ,or anyone else in a position of authority, lead them? No way. Do I think that a pastor should be available to the athletes? Sure, but there should be a system of support available to players of all beliefs and nonbeliefs.

Flame on.

I'm getting lost in the back and forth of this thread, but I think Chimes knocked this out of the park and frankly am surprised there has been harsh negative responses to it by people whom I assume are college graduates. It is a respectful, rational, and open-minded post, IMO.

How would people feel if Bruce Pearl had a Rabbi lead the bball team in prayer before and after games? Not all the players are Jewish, but not all the football players are Christian either...

Yeah, I was pretty much just going to watch from afar until Weegs decided to be That Guy.

Don't be That Guy, Weegs. Nobody likes That Guy.

That's the problem brother, no one has the stones to step up and BE that guy.

I can't imagine the persecution you must go through on a daily basis being a Christian in the Bible Belt. I'm glad that someone finally has the balls to stand up for Christianity around here.

No persecution here. How many times has this organization gone after any belief other than Christianity? And atheism is a belief system and I don't have a personal agenda against atheists. Atheists can believe how they want, it doesn't affect me at all.

This is relevant...how?