Freedom from religion or freedom of religion

Dear Mouse, I attended a school where prayers are said before the classes start. I was used to attending conferences where observing a moment of silence was the first order of the day. Some expats/critics/wannabe writers make fun of the Filipino way of invoking God's blessing for every endeavour, big or small that we plan to undertake. They are short of saying, we are hypocrites because despite the prayers, people are still corrupt. Prayers or no prayers, God or godless, people can be corrupt. I do not claim that I am a saint or a religious person but even the recitation of passages of a poet has a calming effect to one's spirit. They do not do it here in the States, I mean praying in classes. An atheist successfully had this practice banned long time ago. She died a few years ago but her spirit lingered. A judge was removed for allowing the Ten Commandments displayed in the court's premises due to complaints of some citizens who found this against the right of freedom of religion. Every little thing that suggest about praying or community worship is discouraged. But they celebrate the Burning Man every year somewhere in California. It is claimed to be an expression of faith, of religion, of belief. haaaah. I got this from my e-mail. STATEMENT AT A FOOTBALL GAME This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLoud. I thought it was worth sharing with the world and hope you will forward it to all your friends. It shows clearly just how far this country has gone in the wrong direction. "It has always been the custom at 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 calling 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 worship religiously 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 to ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except God and His Commandments. Nevertheless, as a 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 inconsistent at best, 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." One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box! The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America - the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under God." Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise God that His remnant remains! Celebrate Jesus in 2003! Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of Me before men, then I will be ashamed of you before My Father." If you are not ashamed, pass this on, but only if you mean it. The CA t