Sunday, August 11, 2013

Atheists Unite Alabamians in School Prayer

When the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) learned that Christians in Cullman County, Alabama planned a prayer caravan to each public school (during summer recess), they demanded it be cancelled because they said that it is unconstitutional for private citizens, who happen to be school employees, to join in prayer on school property.
"I personally believe that one of the problems we have in this country is taking God out of, not only our lives, but out of government. . . . people have the right to express their opinions on their beliefs."
-- Gov. Robert Bentley, Alabama
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Mississippi

Texas Law Tells Schools to Ignore Atheist Threats

South Carolina School Ensures Prayer Freedom Despite Lawsuit

Atheists Say They're Short on Lawyers to Sue ALL Christians

Praying Mother Banned from School Grounds in New Hampshire

Christian Influence in California City Riles Atheists

Maine Church Leaders Agree with Atheists on Prayer

Most States Tell Supreme Court: We Pray in Jesus' Name



-- From "Hundreds participate in Cullman prayer caravan" by The Associated Press 8/10/13

The annual prayer caravan began three years ago with 10 to 15 people participating at each school. Saturday's caravan swelled in size after the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation tried to get it canceled.

"All denominations are here, and this has caused everyone to pull together more than ever before," said Jack Collins, director of missions for the Cullman Baptist Association.

Cullman County School Superintendent Billy Coleman said he started the caravan as a private citizen apart from his school duties. The county school board recently passed a resolution absolving it of any involvement.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "‘Pray without ceasing’: Hundreds pack local school campuses for prayer caravan" by Trent Moore, The Cullman Times 8/10/13

The caravan visits every campus for a short prayer before the start of the school year, typically attracting between 10-50 people at each stop. But, after the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) contacted Coleman last month demanding the event be canceled, the caravan became a call to arms for local churches when he refused to call it off.

Prayers were led by community volunteers, with several local pastors stepping in to provide initial greetings and prayers focused on lifting up teachers, administrators and students.

“We’re here to pray for our schools and our leaders, not to fight a political battle,” Garden City First Baptist pastor Scott Arnold said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Cullman prayer caravan is 'strongest presence of God I've ever felt,' participant says" by Kelsey Stein, The Birmingham News 8/10/13

More than 1,000 people have taken part in a prayer caravan traveling to all 29 of Cullman County's public schools on Aug. 10, 2013.

Church groups, individuals and other volunteers have come together to participate in the prayer caravan, organize the rally and donate necessities, like thousands of bottles of water for participants.

When Cullman resident Brent McDonald heard about the controversy surrounding the annual prayer caravan, he felt called to stand up for his freedoms - as a Christian and as an American.

"I've been to a lot of Christians concerts and events, and I'm not minimizing anything I've been to, but I have never in my life seen anything in my life like what I saw this morning," McDonald said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.



From "Alabama Governor Supports Cullman County School District Prayer Caravan" by Alex Murashko, Christian Post Reporter 8/9/13

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley said that a Wisconsin-based atheists group opposed to a Cullman County school district-wide prayer caravan prior to the fall semester is misinterpreting the First Amendment.

Superintendent Billy Coleman, who helped organize the caravan, received the complaint from the FFRF for his participation in the event a few weeks ago. His sponsorship, which he and his lawyer say is his right as a private citizen, previously included an announcement on the district's website, which has since been taken down.

Coleman held a press conference on Tuesday in which he said, "Christians have the same rights as anyone else to publicly express our beliefs on our own time, and to be afforded the same access to announcement channels as anyone else."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.



Because of the intimidation tactics of atheist lawyer organizations, state governments across America are educating its citizens on constitutional religious liberty by passing laws in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and South Carolina, and Missouri, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.

The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism