Americans United for Separation of Church and State

been supporting americans united for a few years now. a pretty fair and effective group.

a recent victory was getting an attempt by the administration to institute and fund "christianity only" faith based correction and rehabilitation ( or prisons as they say) facilities knocked down.

It is in the church's best interest to keep the sacred separate from the secular.

AU is an excellent organization. However, it has never had an adversary like the Bush administration, which is dedicated to tearing down the wall separating church and state. The administration knows, but does not cares, that a large percentage of people coming to this country did so because of state religions and religious persecution. Our founding fathers recognized this and worded the constitution to create the wall.

Bush is a loose cannon.

Have you been following the David Kuo controversy. He was number two in the White House's faith-based initiative, and has written a book about how this was used primarily for political purposes. He added that there was no interest in solving the problem of poverty.

i've watched several interviews with him. he seems to confirm what some of us have thought for a long time.

No, I have not kept up with David Kuo, but I think that I will check out his book.

This organization is taking their "crusade" just a little too far.

But last month, the school district, which is liable for Borden's legal costs -- estimated to be as much as $100,000 -- has decided to appeal the decision, this time with its own pro bono representation from the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.

"The coach is engaged in the promotion of religion, and that's not something that's appropriate in his role as a coach, if he does it quietly or not so quietly," said Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of the organization. "We think the school board was right to tell him after his long history of violating the constitution this was one more way in which he was attempting to participate in organized religious activities as an employee of the school."Continued...


http://www.boston.com/sports/schools/football/articles/2006/11/07/an_issue_of_fair_pray/?page=2

The coach is not forcing anyone to engage in prayer. There is nothing wrong with a moment of contemplation prior to an athletic event.

I do support seperateion of church and state and I am against any interaction by our elected officials with anyone from any "religious" organization (exception of a personal nature).

However, this situation is taking it too far.

Although the coach may not be "forcing" anyone to pray, if you wished to stay in his favor would you ignore him when he said "Let us pray"?

Been in the locker room with a coach who expected that you pray together as a team.
Very uncomfortable for those whishing to not participate.

What's Tico's tag line....?
Religion is like good underwear. It supports you, it comforts you, it's worn on the inside, and it's bad manners to show it off.

Sounds like a nice rule.

Quote from the Coach.

"Why would a player complain? We pray that everybody on both teams is safe," Borden said. "It's a tradition for 23 years and it started before I got here."


That "attitude" framed in your question is way beyond the concept of Seperation.

Getting together as a group for a moment of contemplation/prayer is personal. If you want to get on a knee and think of hitting your opponent, feel free. Or pray, feel free.

I donated to AU about 6 months ago for the first time. I look forward to supporting their cause (and my own) in the future.

The are a great group, fighting for a great cause.

It is not too much to ask that religion be kept out of governmental functions. Moreover, if religion is allowed in them, it is like the camel sticking its nose under the tent. Before long, the camel will take over the tent and the people will be outside.

Me too.

The ability to share ones religion should not be infringed upon. It sounds like they are telling him when he can and when he can't share his religion. Would you feel the same way about a gay teacher telling his students about his gayness? This happened in my kid's school where a gay teacher wanted to bring a pic of his lover to show the kids while they were in class. Would you have supported this?

I think that was absolutely inappropriate. It would have been just as inappropriate if a heterosexual teacher brought a picture of his/her boy/girlfriend, and showed it to the class.

I don't know what is going on now, but when I went to school, the teachers related to students on a professional level, and did not share their personal life with the children!

In the case of the coach, it is an entirely different situation. A public school employee, IMO, has no business insinuating religion into sports. Again, as in my earlier post, I think that teachers (and coaches) need to keep their private life (which includes religious observance) private. I think that asking the students to pray was totally unprofessional.

Yes indeed however after this last election they have taken most of his cannon balls away.
As to religion in government they should be as oil and water, never mixing.

A church is for everyone. Myabe Barry Lynns church doesn't believe that everyone should be welcomed, but that is not the teaching of Jesus Christ.
The first amendment guarantees us "freedom OF religion", not freedom FROM religion.