Students at the local high school were praying for Obama's defeat.

[Kindly Refrain]

I couldn't believe it. They were in a circle holding hands around the flagpole, praying that Obama is defeated so "a real Christian can get into the White House". Apparently this prayer group gets together regularly for prayer in something they call, "Rally around the flag". They were being supervised by an adult. Doesn't seem legal. The person who works at the school who filled me in said they had the administration's permission. Wonder how the administration will feel if I go down there in the next couple of days, film and then upload that shit onto youtube. The principal damn sure will at least get a sternly written email, as will the school board and county officials.

[gollygee]

1. A Mormon is "a real Christian" now while someone who goes to a Christian church

isn't? Interesting, and probably not really about Christianity.

[Kindly Refrain]

3. My thoughts exactly.

Race relations aren't that great, "out here in the county".

[Scootaloo]

8. only white peopel can be "real christians"

Other ethnicities can be plain ol' christians, but it takes a startling lack of melanin to be a real christian. it's a bizarre holdover from the days where Christendom = Europe

[gollygee]

9. So much for evangelism

and so much for missions to Africa. Might as well give up on all that.

[hifiguy]

22. Not at all, there are millions of brown people and black people

who need to be bilked and fleeced by the evilangelical snake-oil pitchmen. There's gold over there!

[Scootaloo]

49. well, the whole point of that...

is that by "saving their souls" you better your own position in the afterlife. They're christians, sure, but just not real christians, see the difference?

[Kindly Refrain]

25. See Mormonism

[movonne]

39. If Obama wins I guess God didn't listen to their prayers..he or she likes

Obama better...when catholics schools have sports games they both pray before the game...so how does God makes the decision which one loses, does that mean that school is God's favorite...I just can't wrap my head around this God stuff...

[madaboutharry]

2. Apparently, American Government is not a required course at the local high school.

[KansDem]

4. When Obama wins, remind these students that it was "Gods' will."

See how contorted their faces become trying to figure that one out...

[txdemsftw]

15. YES!!!

Perfect answer!

[flamingdem]

5. Let's change it to USI United States of Idiots n/t

[Blue Owl]

6. A real Christian -- you mean the kind that cheats to win?

OK then.

[JI7]

7. i think they are allowed to do it on their own time and on their own

[Kindly Refrain]

10. That's why I'm wondering who this adult might be

If it's a local organized person or part of the faculty. Either way, I think that's not good.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

11. And when Obama wins re-election

oh what tortured rationalizations will be produced as to why god didn't answer their prayers.

[loyalsister]

12. I don't think this is a violation

From what you say, this is a christian clique. Other students are not forced to join or even listen. Would we complain if they were rooting for Obama?

[Kindly Refrain]

20. But if it's an outside group influencing

the students action, I think that might be illegal.

[loyalsister]

27. If the students joined voluntarily it's not

I'm an atheist and fully support separation of church and state. I think we can go overboard in our accusations. Separation of church and state is pretty specifically targeted at school sponsored religion and religious events that students are required to attend. This does not sound like something that rises to that level of an offense.

[Scuba]

13. So when BHO wins in a landslide, will they accept that as proof that there is no god?

Or will they assume he just doesn't hear their prayers?

[Cha]

14. Poor things.. in high school and dumb as a bag of stupid rocks.

[hifiguy]

24. No one there needs to worry about admission to

an elite college, that's for sure.

[CoffeeCat]

16. Oh yeah, well I prayed for a hurricane during the Republican convention in Florida!

Take that suckers!

I remember when these anti-spiritual, indecent fools prayed for horrible weather in 08, when Obama gave his big speech outdoors in Colorado. This was the speech where he stood in front of the columns. They were outside praying for a monsoon!

It was one of the most beautiful, cool, perfect nights in Colorado history.

[gollygee]

17. So when Obama wins, I assume they'll all take that as God's answer

and become Democrats, right?

[Swamp Lover]

18. Rally 'round the flag is perfectly legal and has been around for a long time.

[IfPalinisAnswerWatsQ]

19. What state and city?

nt

[Throd]

21. Am I supposed to be outraged?

If this is how they want to spend their free time, they should be able to do so. I'm not seeing the harm here.

[Kindly Refrain]

28. yeah, fuck it.

let them teach creationism as well, what's harm?

[Throd]

30. The school isn't teaching creationism.

It is allowing students to freely associate and share a common interest on their own time.

It isn't what I would do with my free time, but I support their right to do so.

[Kindly Refrain]

31. What about using the school as a church on Sundays

because they do that as well.

[dems_rightnow]

43. That's a lot less clear

It might be OK, and might not.

http://ffrf.org/faq/state-church/item/14033-churches-meeting-at-public-schools

[Selatius]

44. The school isn't in session on Sundays, so no public funds go towards that activity.

If the school itself bore the costs of holding a religious service on property, that would be a violation of the 1st Amendment; however, if all the costs are borne by the church and nobody from the school administration is directly involved with such activity in an official capacity, then I don't really see a problem.

The key is that as long is nobody is being compelled to participate and as long as public funds don't go towards these meetings and sessions, then nothing can really be done about it except be vigilant as far as the First Amendment goes.

[ornotna]

23. Meh

They can pray to whatever deity they choose about anything. No skin off my nose.

[Firebirds01]

26. They are what 15-17

wait until the get their first pregnancy scare. That does it every time.

[ret5hd]

35. only until after the late term abortion.

[dems_rightnow]

29. Completely legal, you'll get nowhere.

The right of students to pray wherever they wish is part of the separation of Church and State. The administration doesn't have to power to stop them, so I'd just save the sternly worded email.

[Kindly Refrain]

32. Oh they'll get it.

I don't think that is a civic minded practice so I'll do what i can to shut it down.

[Throd]

42. I hope you get nowhere.

I say this as a life-long atheist.

[Angry Dragon]

33. Tell them to hurry up because there are people that need

to borrow the flag so they can say some heathen prayers

[quinnox]

34. I don't see that this is hurting anyone

Exercising free speech seems fine to me.

[cherokeeprogressive]

36. If it was during a break such as lunch or snack time, and it was outside, you'll get laughed out

of the office when you go to complain.

That is, if this really happened at all.

[Kindly Refrain]

40. You calling me a liar?

[cherokeeprogressive]

41. Nnnnnnope.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

37. pray in one hand and sh*t in the other and see which one,

fills up the fastest!

[Brickbat]

38. Sounds like a "See You At The Pole" event and it's legal. You've got bigger fish to fry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/See_You_at_the_Pole

[HooptieWagon]

45. Now we know where willard's "pole" numbers come from...

[mzkaye]

46. Unfortunately for them

they got God's voicemail; he was busy washing his hair at the time.

[cthulu2016]

47. It's their right.

[mac56]

48. Seriously, we ought to encourage this.

Not illegal. Best to let it go with no interference.

[LisaL]

50. Romney is a mormon.

Not a christian.

[Tabasco_Dave]

51. A real christian like Jimmy Carter?