I deeply appreciate the opportunity afforded to me by the editorial staff of the Herald-Citizen in allowing me to share my thoughts and personal views with its readership on a regular basis. I do not take this lightly, but approach my writing assignment with prayerfulness and humility. This issue I want to step aside and allow someone this platform who really deserves it, for the courage of the convictions he has demonstrated in the face of a dilemma. I am referring to Principal Jody McCloud of Roane County High School in Kingston, Tennessee, who before a high school football game on September 1, spoke the following words over the PA system:
"It has always been the custom of Roane County High School football games to say a prayer and play the National Anthem to honor God and Country. Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.
"As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it an alternate lifestyle, and if someone is offended, that's OK.
"I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity by dispensing condoms and call it safe sex. If someone is offended, that's OK.
"I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a viable means of birth control. If someone is offended, no problem.
"I can designate a school day as earth day and involve students in activities to religiously worship and praise the goddess, mother earth, and call it ecology.
"I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as simple minded and ignorant and call it enlightenment.
"However, if anyone uses this facility to honor God and ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, Federal Case Law is violated.
"This appears to be at best, inconsistent, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone except God and His Commandments.
"Nevertheless, as school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be at best inconsistent, and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.
"For this reason, I shall, 'Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's,' and refrain from praying at this time. However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise, and thank God, and ask Him in the name of Jesus to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law -- yet."
An added thought: In the U.S. today, a student cannot be given an aspirin by school officials without parental consent, but can go to an abortion clinic without the parents being told. Beam me up, Scotty!
Addendum: "We ought to obey God rather than men." - Acts 5:29.
@ copyright 2000 by Scott H. Northrup. All rights reserved.