It’s as if being an atheist, and I’m not talking about all atheists - just the ironically preachy ones, requires you to try and make everyone else around you Godless as well. You don’t have to believe in God, but don’t take it out on others for believing in something rather than a dark void.
The atheists at the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which is a hilarious title considering it would indicate that they want to persecute your right to freedom of religion, is apparently really pissed that a Missouri high school football coach prays with his players. Despite no reported complaints from people within the community, the FFRF wants it to stop, going so far as to call Cameron High School football coach Jeff Wallace “illegal.”
“We ask that the district commence an investigation into the complaints alleged and take immediate action to stop any and all school-sponsored prayers or religious worship occurring within any District athletic programs,” FFRF attorney Christopher Line wrote in a letter to Superintendent of Cameron R-1 School District, Dr. Matt Robinson. “Please inform us in writing of the steps you are taking to remedy this serious and flagrant violation of the First Amendment.”
I understand a lawyer’s job is to bend the law, while somehow staying within the law, so that their clients win in proving whatever point they’re trying to prove in cases like this. But, the First Amendment provides that American citizens have freedom of religion as well as freedom from religion.
According to the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School, the First Amendment “forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individual’s religious practices.”
If the FFRF are so serious about preventing people from praying, why do they never complain to business or schools that allow Muslims to pray? Nothing against Muslims, but the FFRF doesn’t “target” them because they don’t consider them “violators.”
This is directly from the FFRF State/Church FAQ page on their website:
FFRF in fact does take issue with the government promoting or favoring any religion, of course including Islam. Groups seeking to uphold the Constitution may appear to "target" Christians only because we "target" the violators. As the majority, Christians are simply more likely to violate the Constitution.
As noted by Fox News, special counsel for litigation and communications at the First Liberty Institute Jeremy Dys said that unless FFRF has actually received a complaint from someone in the community or at the school, their letter has “no legal basis in court.”
“This letter is little more than a noisy, public complaint meant to harass and embarrass Americans just trying to live their lives," Dys said. "Unless someone presents a plaintiff with actual legal standing, school officials should ignore these letters. No one should reward efforts to gin up controversy where none exists.”
It’s not like the coach and the players, who according to the FFRF’s letter engage in pre and post game “religious services” and discussions of scripture, force atheists to watch them pray or make them participate.
Maybe the FFRF has nothing better to do. That’s easy when you don’t believe in much besides your own selfish interests.
For local coverage of this story, watch below:
H/T: Breitbart