Is Wright Right?

Soundbytes are not usually fair representations of significant issues and always inappropriate when used out of context.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear what these two pastors are saying: 

followed by this…

Now that you’ve heard more from these pulpits, does that change your perspective?  One is Obama’s pastor.  One is McCain’s spiritual advisor.  If only Obama would change his position on abortion, then he would at least be consistent with the overall message given by these ministers.  I’ve got to admit, that while I feel very blessed to be an American, I also don’t always feel that America deserves God’s blessing.  I think most people can understand that distinction.  After watching these longer clips, I’m reminded of the necessity for prayer on my knees, “God save America.”  

Christians Need Not Apply

In yet another disturbing public school incident, it seems that First Amendment Rights apply to everyone but Christian students.

“Pray” is considered the new four-letter word

The Common Cause club at Mountain Ridge High School in Arizona simply wanted to exercise the same rights given to other student organizations.The school district permits student club members to submit written announcements to be read over the school’s public address system, as well as video announcements to be played to the student body. In these announcements, club members are allowed to inform the student body not only of club meeting logistics (date, time, and location), but also to share information about the specific types of activities that will occur.

As an example, the Young Democrats of America club aired a video announcement which shared the following information:

• “In 2006, young voters ages 18-29 supported Democratic candidates by an impressive 58%”
• “Remember …we’re young. We’re Democrats. We’re Voting”

On the other hand, Common Cause club has been prohibited from communicating even the fact that religious activities will take place at its meetings.

On January 14, 2007, a club representative, Erin, submitted a weekly announcement which read, “Common Cause will be having weekly prayer every Friday morning at 7:20 at the administration flagpole, come join us!” The same day, the club submitted a video message communicating, “Our motto is…don’t worry about anything…instead, PRAY about everything! Common Cause presents…we pray…together…encouragingly…hopefully…upliftingly.”

The next day, Erin met with the school’s assistant principal and was told that her written and video announcements would not be allowed because they contained the words “prayer” and “pray.”

The assistant principal claimed the announcements would violate the supposed “separation of church and state.” When Erin responded that the First Amendment provided protection for such announcements, the assistant principal claimed none of that mattered. In other words, the First Amendment did not matter! Erin then asked to have the announcement back, but the assistant principal, perhaps in an attempt to assert her authority, ripped it up in front of her and discarded it.

With situations like this becoming increasingly common, it seems that “pray” has become the new four-letter word. While clubs like the Young Democrats of America, the Gay-Straight Alliance, and Students Against Destructive Decisions are allowed to operate freely on school grounds, expression of religion is prohibited.

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Old Eli & Old Glory

Here’s irony: while attending one of America’s finest schools, three students decided to burn the American flag. What could be more American than Yale? “Old Eli” is the third oldest school of higher education in the United States and certainly one of the most prestigious. Since 1701, she’s attracted the best and brightest students in the U.S. and from around the world— that is until now evidently. I’m all for freedom of speech, but that was a really, really dumb and ungrateful gesture.