Oneida cheerleaders defend prayer on Fox News

[bonnie]

Oneida cheerleaders defend prayer on Fox News

Rachel Kinney, WBIR1:47 p.m. EDT September 19, 2014

(Photo: Fox News)

 

 cheerleaders' fight to keep prayer on the football field has gained national attention.

A couple years ago, the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee asked Oneida High School to stop announcing prayers over the PA system, but Oneida bucked the order and kept the pre-game prayer. That continued until this season. Oneida High School started feeling pressure from outside groups to end that religious tradition, so they replaced the prayer with a moment of silence.

PREVIOUS STORY: Cheerleaders bring prayers back to the football field

The cheerleaders pray in a circle before each game, and the crowd joins in.(Photo: WBIR)

 

But the cheerleading squad felt that a moment of silence wasn't enough, so co-captain of the squad, Asia Canada, took action.

"He called for the moment of silence, and I started off, 'Our Father who art in heaven' and everyone joined in," Asia told WBIR 10News on Monday.

Now it has become a tradition before every home game; the cheerleaders lead the prayer - not over the PA - but with their voices. Their fight against restrictions has now reached the national media outlets, including Fox & Friends on Fox News.

On Friday morning, Elisabeth Hasselbeck interviewed Canada and her fellow co-captain Alley Myers on Fox & Friends. The girls told Hasselbeck that their community needs prayer, especially before football games.

"We pray for the safety of each and every player out there, and the cheerleaders, and the fans for their drive home," Myers told Hasselbeck. "I just feel that it (prayer) needs to be in football games."

For Canada, it was a moment she'll never forget.

"It was an unforgettable moment, just hearing everybody reciting the Lord's Prayer. It was amazing," Asia told Hasselbeck.

Fox & Friends reached out to Oneida's director of schools Ann Sexton for comment. Sexton wrote in a statement that she made her decision based on the law.

"We received letters over the last couple of years from different organizations about broadcasting prayer at any ball game is unconstitutional," Sexton wrote to Fox News. "This summer I attended a law retreat where they specifically gave us direction not to have prayer at the games."

Asia said no matter if the squad is banned to lead the stadium in prayer, it will always be an important tradition.

"If we have the opportunity to, we will," Asia said on Fox & Friends. "But if we don't, then we'll say it together on our own."

Many people in Oneida and even across the country are backing the team up. Someone in the community even created t-shirts emblazoned with "Keep Calm and Pray On." All proceeds from the $15 shirts will benefit the Oneida High School cheerleading squad.

[phkrause]

Good for them

[Aliensanctuary]

Recall that Jesus said that if you pray, go into your closet and shut the door so no one can year you. Prayer has its place in the world today, but it points to the system of telepathic communication in the world to come, where our Master can read our thoughts and tell us what to do.

 

Before we ask, he already knows what we need, not so much in this world, but the next. Public prayers at sports events are out of place, especially since the spirit of the games is the spirit of war. (Destroy your opponents and triumph over their weakness rather than sacrifice yourself to help them.)

[Gail]

This might be a separate topic but have you ever questioned why cheerleaders are necessary? Seems to me along the same line as beauty pageants.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

This might be a separate topic but have you ever questioned why cheerleaders are necessary? Seems to me along the same line as beauty pageants.

 

I think cheerleaders are to help raise the "participation factor" of excitement in the audience.  (My cousin was a Seattle Seahawks' "Seagall" cheerleader..)

[Robert]

Public prayers at sports events are out of place, especially since the spirit of the games is the spirit of war. (Destroy your opponents and triumph over their weakness rather than sacrifice yourself to help them.)

 

Let me quote my favorite retired SDA Pastor:

 

Using man as his tool, Satan has developed a kingdom (the Bible refers to it as “the kingdom of this world”) that is based entirely on the principle of self and which is in complete opposition and contradiction to the “kingdom of heaven.”  Everything, therefore, that goes to make up this worldly system (kosmos) — nationalism, tribalism, politics, education, commerce, recreation, sports, social clubs, technology, etc. — is founded upon the principle of love of self, even though at times this principle may not be obvious.  According to 1 John 2:16, “all that is in the world” (i.e., without exception) is based or founded upon lust (i.e., love of self). Ref:  http://www.jacksequeira.org/dyunit01.htm

[bonnie]

Recall that Jesus said that if you pray, go into your closet and shut the door so no one can year you. Prayer has its place in the world today, but it points to the system of telepathic communication in the world to come, where our Master can read our thoughts and tell us what to do.

 

Before we ask, he already knows what we need, not so much in this world, but the next. Public prayers at sports events are out of place, especially since the spirit of the games is the spirit of war. (Destroy your opponents and triumph over their weakness rather than sacrifice yourself to help them.)

Am I right to assume that you only pray in your closet? Was there another reason  this was said?

A public school sponsored prayer is out of place. This is not sponsored by the school but a group of young people voluntarily praying prior to a game.The constitution was not designed to protect any and all from the religious expression of others.

It was not a prayer to ask God to help them destroy their opponents. ("We pray for the safety of each and every player out there, and the cheerleaders, and the fans for their drive home), The prayer is a quiet private  one among the cheerleaders,not broadcast over the loudspeakers

[Robert]

Let me quote my favorite retired SDA Pastor:

 

Using man as his tool, Satan has developed a kingdom (the Bible refers to it as “the kingdom of this world”) that is based entirely on the principle of self and which is in complete opposition and contradiction to the “kingdom of heaven.”  Everything, therefore, that goes to make up this worldly system (kosmos) — nationalism, tribalism, politics, education, commerce, recreation, sports, social clubs, technology, etc. — is founded upon the principle of love of self, even though at times this principle may not be obvious.  According to 1 John 2:16, “all that is in the world” (i.e., without exception) is based or founded upon lust (i.e., love of self). Ref:  http://www.jacksequeira.org/dyunit01.htm

 

 

Now, having stated the above, does that mean God doesn't hear the prayers of these young women?  No.  God takes us where we are at!  After all we have been delivered from under law because sin is anything outside God's agape love.  To remain under law and participate in sports would keep one out of heaven!

 

Why? Because as Jack stated, sports are based on self-love and self-seeking, the essence of Satan's love of self.  To be under law and sin means death...eternal death.

 

Now, if you think I'm crazy (and I might be), let me quote Ellen:

 

“There were some who were striving for the mastery, each trying to excel the other in the swift running of their bicycles. There was a spirit of strife and contention among them as to which should be the greatest. The spirit was similar to that manifested in the baseball games on the college ground."

 

Of course the above is concerning bike racing, not football.  But I made my point in quoting Ellen White. 

[Robert]

I just read, "Please keep religious/political topics out side of townhall."

 

Sorry, delete my posts....