A public school is just that-public. Different entities in the community can use its facilities over the weekend if they choose. When people get together for a game, they can choose how to open it if they want to. The leadership can't put it into policy that they "have" to open with prayer, but they can if they want to. That makes it voluntary. By the same token, they can't ban it either. If the groups as a whole get together ane decide that they will forego the prayer, then they can stop doing it - if they want to. I don't think they can find a legal precedent for it. I think it's just a waste of time and wish these "groups" would find something better to do with their time.

Amen Tammy!!!!

A bunch of GUTLESS school board member. They should of told them where to go. This is Georgia not Wisconsin.

prayers violate students’ First Amendment Rights. What about the majority that what the prayers, I think their rights are violated.

As much as people do not like this....It is in the constitution remember "Seperation of Church and State".. Would you feel the same way if someone opened up with a prayer to Allah (Muslim) or praying to Buddah??? This is the reason for the law. Would you want a teacher other than the religion you choose to teach your child a prayer that your religion does not believe in. It's parents responsbility to teach your childrens spirituality at home/church and not in the PUBLIC education system. Another problem is parents thinking it's the responsility of the public education system to basically raise their children, ie. transportation, breakfast/lunches, etc.

I think the people in Wisconsin need to stay at home. I seriously doubt someone from Haralson County contacted them. They hunt up situations like this to bully people of faith and communities of faith and we allow it because the silent majority is still silent. But communities of faith are growing tired of this violation of their religious freedom.

Fed up - separation of church and state does not exist in the sense that people use it. Sigh. Here is is again:
C-O-N-G-R-E-S-S shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Congress has nothing to do with what people do at a ball game. And hte schools are safe there. I'm pretty sure te principal doesn't open the school day in prayer. If the ficticious town of Yorkshire had mostly buddists that made up their community, and they wanted to start their school game off in prayer, they could. But in a town where most are christians and that has been the tradition for a long time, the government cannot (according to the 1st amendment) step in and tell them what to do. If a president and congress suddenly tell the people of our country "convert or be taxed or killed" , then we have a problem. No one is being coersed by the government. Just some bozo's that have nothing better to do than stir up trouble.
In my opinion, the kind of people that if a real crisis fell upon them, they'd be too incompetent to do anything because all they do is sit around and moan and groan for a living (which doesn't equip you to do much of anything of value).

http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/letter_20030207.html

This is from the Department of Education on the Federal level. Students can get together to pray, but it cannot come from teachers, admin, etc... They are to remain unbiased.

Yeah. Student led is fine.

You know, this is just stupid. If you don't like people praying, leave America and move to some dictatorship where they will shoot you for it! I remember praying in school every day. Heck, my first grade teacher read us Bible stories for children every morning to start off our class when I lived in St. Petersburg, FL.....and it wasn't THAT long ago!!

Chris, you are correct, but it never hurts to remember what made our country the greatest nation in the world. In these times of trouble, I would hope that people could learn from the past, and not just wish for it.
Actually, prayer at a sporting event should be for the players health, not that the team 'comes out victorious' or that 'the greater love for You will prevail'. Both teams are saying the same prayer. What should God do, flip a coin? And saying the Lord's Prayer before a game? What if I am Jewish, or agnostic, or Druid? The stupid part is that it is such a NEWS!! item.

I THINK EVERYTHING STARTED GOING DOWN THE TUBES WHEN PRAYER WAS REMOVED FROM SCHOOLS...THIS IS STILL A FREE COUNTRY AND PRAYER HAS BEEN PART OF EVERYTHING FROM THE START...IF YOU DON'T LIKE HOW WE LIVE... GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM AND LET THIS CHRISTIAN COUNTRY ALONE

I've notified ACLJ to get involved. They fight bullies like this Wisconsin group.
http://aclj.org/get-legal-help/get-our-legal-help

I am a Christian and raise my children as such. We pray together most every morning. However, I have been embarrassed for our friends who are Jewish, Buddist, or other religions when Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and red and green are the only religious symbols that can be viewed around a school. If you're going to represent one religion, you must represent them all. It's better just to have a moment of silence, where circles of individuals may pray as they wish. In my school, we have a moment of silence every morning. Students can see me bow my head, and close my eyes to pray, but there is nothing said out loud that would alienate students of a different religion. Public schools are paid for by the state and federal governments. There is a separation of church and state, because in the United States of America, there is a freedom of religion established by our forefathers. Moments of silence are cool - public prayer over the intercoms are not.

I generally believe in separation of Church and State as well. I am from Philadelphia and prayer at public events in the South took some getting used to. However, in the time I have lived in the South I have learned they have their own way of doing things.
Over time, I have learned that this is the best part of the country to live in because of the way they do things. I LOVE the South and my life here and wouldn't change a thing.
People need to show more respect for Southern culture and, as Cathy says, move somewhere else if you don't like it.

I choose to live under government if I did't I would move to a foreign country or be Amish. I don't mind paying for my protection against radical people who think their way is "The Way".I'm a country boy.born and raised in the south with sense. Love my southern food and my Chevy.The racist and radical southerns want southern culture to be -if your not like me something is wrong with you.Whether it be religion or the color of skin.Being southern doesn't make you have the right to force your beliefs and biases on other people.Forcing a religion down somebody's throat is dead wrong.Whether it be in school or in public.I see why we created separation of state and church,which was a very smart thing to do because the world doesn't evolve around "southern culture"or any other culture & moving forward means growth not declination, not ignorance upon ignorance,but tolerance of another person's denomination.Like someone else said Christians would go wild if southern born Muslims, Hinduists and Buddhists start praying out loud in the schools respecting their individual southern cultures. What do you mean respect for "Southern culture" What you're really saying is respect and give control to a bias concept. Muslims pray five times a day if not more.I wonder what would happen if it was allowed in the schools.oh my bad.They shouldn't be allowed to pray out loud only Christians.Yes, Athens Mama the moment of silence is the best and diplomatic thing to do. I respect my Muslim friends.

Does anyone here know where separation of church and state came from? Just curious.

The topic: "Was it Right to Force a Ban of Prayer Before a High School Game?"

Yes!

i am 62 years old.an army vet.i can see our country failing before my eyes.how can 1 person cause us not to have prayer? no ten commandmants?and no morals?.there are several large cities in america that block their streets daily to let muslims pray at certain hours of the day.when you take God our of our daily lives then you have give up any hope of ever having peace,happiness,joy,love and hope.

why does all the trouble come from up north? ever see anyone from the south retiring and move north? yes the north won the civil war.now please get over it.i can and will pray to my God anytime of any day!

No question in my mind that those who would want to ban prayer before a high school game also vote democrat. Obama and the democrats made their feelings about God and Jerusalem very clear during their convention.

Southern politeness? When it comes to religious tolerance? Are you kidding?

What do you think all of the business about no alcohol in Gwinnett was all about? It had everything to do with religion. You apparently don’t live in Lilburn. Now, there is an example of Southern politeness when it comes to religion. Go to the city website http://www.cityoflilburn.com/ Read the center section with the heading NEWS. Now there’s something to be proud of. The City Council showing their version of Southern Politeness when it comes to religion cost the Lilburn taxpayer a whole lot of money. And it will take years for the reputation of Lilburn to be repaired.

Anyone that pretends there would be tolerance of a Muslim prayer in a government sponsored venue here, in the land of Southern Politeness is kidding themselves or thinking none of us can hear, see or read.

Why do the Feds have to stick their nose into our business? Oh, I don’t know why don’t we ask some of the folks that were around in the late 50’s and early 60’s. Or maybe ask some of the relatives of Mary Turner 1918 Eight Months Pregnant.

This took seconds doing a Google search
“where did the term separation of church and state originate”

Thomas Jefferson's 1802
http://candst.tripod.com/tnppage/who2.htm

Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state

@all
I find it amusing that you so called conservatives would compel a non believer and people of other faiths to engage in state sponsored prayer. I think I'll send a check to the ACLU to help them continue the fight against this non sense. But wait ,its election time and its good for the Republicans to drag out all if these wedge issues to divert the peoples attention. I'll tell you something about southern people ,race and religion always work to keep these people in line.

You gotta hand it to George, he is the only lefty in this blog willing to use his real name. I suppose the rest are just ashamed.
People are not engaged in prayer unless they actually pray. Nobody is being forced to do anything. Why is it that those in the minority cannot be as tolerant as they ask those in the majority to be? There is NOTHING wrong with allowing folks that want to pray a moment to do so.

Why is this so hard for people to understand?

Individual prayers at a public school or anywhere in the US is perfectly legal. Knock yourselves out please pick up the snakes/spaghetti/prayer mats when you have finished

School sanctioned prayer to one god or the other is NOT allowed aka blasting the Jesus over the PA at a public school function is illegal, not to mention unbelievably rude.

Chris if I went into detail then all would know. I'm not being a paranoid fool. I have seen it occur. Pick the political or philosophical position you choose and if it's not what the group in power is or believes you will have consequences. I know people in the community who are recipients of those consequences.

Mike Horsman
Neither do I think there is anything fundamentally wrong with a prayer before an event. I simply have seen the results of many who say they are OK with other religions but in practice they are not. And that's where the group in power (aka Good Old Boys and now Girls) come in. Read the statements made in areas that have mosques that want to be built or made bigger. The "local" people will give you every reason imaginable for not building one or expanding one. And that power group will spend a pile of our money supporting reasons that are so disingenuous we would ground our kids for such stories.

OK, anybody that wants to call me a liberal or democrat for what I'm about to say, feel free. You may look like kind of a fool when you do it, but go ahead...

Any school or public entity allowing it's media system to be used to have a prayer is in violation of the Constitution. You can have a moment of silence, in which people could pray if they so desire, or have the students organize themselves to pray if they wish, but don't use the speaker system to do so. There's no way you can be inclusive by doing that. We all know we were founded by a religious people, and if you don't know that, note the reference to God in our Constitution, in a myriad other places, and in every state constitution for our country. BUT, they were also persecuted by the government they left and broke from, so they wanted to take steps to ensure that didn't happen again. Hence the freedom OF religion, not the freedom FROM religion. Significant difference, that. Makes that group in Wisconsin look kind of silly, truth be told.

That being said, this PC crap annoys the hell out of me, and the spinelessness of our 'leaders' really annoys me. Did anybody make note of the Grayson library recently that hosted a local artist that happened to do artwork of a Christian nature? Think it was monks or something depicted....

f I went to a Charter School game that was predominantly Muslim, I would fully expect and respect the traditions of that school as well.
Agreed Mike. When in Rome... Seems like we're a little more tolerant than those who call us intolerant.

Of course, it's the Georges that like to tell you what you really think. lol And speaking of George.... had to comment on his use of the word "state sponsored prayer". Now, just where did that come from? You just make it up as you go along, don't you. Nowherein any of this has anyone said that the state "sponsored" anything. Even if they did, the ystill wouldn't be being unconstitutional. The constitution *sigh* says that c-o-n-g-r-e-s-s can't mandate it. End of discussion (of course, it wount be b/c you'll spend 2 pages defending yourself with more made up stuff...).
What really kills me is that no one from the school complained, just someone from the outside minding someone elses business.

@Bill. what you say sounds so ignorant. Like someone else said it is not the schools responsibility to teach a certain religion. Not allowing prayer outloud at school or functions is not taking "God out of your life" it's respecting others. During the moment of silence, children are allowed to pray to whomever they pray too. Children don't normally tell you what religion their family practices. To take a child by the hand and say we will have prayer now, and then pray to your God may be causing conflict or confusion within a child or their home. According to Muslims, Mohammad is the prince of peace., and to Christians Jesus is.. So what does peace, happiness, joy, love and hope have to do with anything because of making prayer more personal and private at school? Yes, It was right to force a band on prayer before the high school game. And in reference to the blocking the streets, let's not get too silly. They block the street because of the traffic just like they do on Sunday's when Christians go to church...Wow ignorance is bliss.. I just saw a sign at a Baptist Church the other day saying "God said be religious fruit, not religious Nuts!"..this stuff some of us is saying is becoming quite embarrassing. People don't get it. Nobody is causing anyone to NOT HAVE PRAYER...IT's actually allowing everyone the freedom to have their own type of prayer!

Allah told Mohammed to behead his critics, to kill the Jews and the Christians, to torture and stone people to death, to rape and to keep sex slaves (this is how he met his wife, Safia), and to spread his “religion of peace” by the sword, until the entire world submits to Islam. And today, this mandate of forcing the world to submit to Islam, remains in place.

What part of "it's against the law" don't you understand? Public schools cannot have organized prayer. It is against Federal law. If you want your child to have rights to pray in school and be led by his or her teacher, send your child to a private religious school. Done.

"If I went to a Charter School game that was predominantly Muslim, I would fully expect and respect the traditions of that school as well."
Big Country please don't try to speak what you "think" I said. Reread it. I said if I happened across something that was strictly muslim, I wouldn't be offended, I would either be respectfully quiet, or find something else to do. My point was that I'm not going to crucify someone for doing something that have a right to do. Are you related to George by any chance?

I'm not sure if people are forced to become Muslim "by the sword". don't know why different prophets where told to do different things in different times and different books nor do I speculate or judge much in what others translate or interpret from the words in different books. I just go on facts. Many Americans are converting and I don't see them forced by a sword.

I really don't know what is happening to the christians out there. They can pray anywhere and anytime they want to. and for someone to stand in the way of that number one can go streight to H*ll. And for the admin they need to grow a pair of chawongies. And Chris this is OUR AMERICA. I fought on 1968-1972 USMC and I am not going to have that 4 years of my life wasted for Atheist stupity This country was built by GOD's people and it is going to stay that way,one way or another. We even print it on our money......IN GOD WE TRUST...And that better stay there too.

JUDGES have been given the power to decide questions like
this.

And that's in da Constatooshun!

Mike and BC, my son was in Iraq and got to know this culture up close and personal. He was there when they captured Saadam Hussein. He met many USA loving muslims who just wanted true peace, but he also saw the propaganda used by their leaders against the people to cause them to hate us (Guess which NY paper was in the stash?). He also heard eye witness testimonies of people whose brothers and loved ones were slashed to pieces and killed by Hussein for daring to turn in killers etc... No, that doesn't happen here. Makes you appreciate your freedom. But then we have political correctness gone wild...

Public prayer at school-sponsored functions is inappropriate, but perhaps you are not aware that you should want it stopped because religious people vary in how closely they want to follow even their own teachings. To choose prayers for a group is almost certainly going to offend someone in that group. (Of course Christians would rather follow the Golden Rule than do that.)

Far too few are even aware that there is no god in the Constitution of the United States of America, the creator stated as the giver of our rights in the Declaration of Independence is "Nature and Nature's God" (not the jealous god of the bible), and Jesus taught not to flaunt religion in public and to pray in private.(Matthew 6)

Similarly, although Governor Romney is flat wrong in stating that President Obama is trying to remove IN GOD WE TRUST from our money, I remember that when Congress voted to require it be added, many religious Americans considered it grossly irreverent, quoting 1 timothy 6:10...

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains."

Our government is not supposed to favor any religion, but observant Jews even avoid writing any Name of God casually because of the risk that the written Name might later be defaced, obliterated or destroyed accidentally or by one who does not know better.

Maybe Frank should have a conversation with a few folks on here...lol
Frank, even though Hooah is my victory cry of choice, I'll give you a big OOOooorah for that post.

@Mike Horsman, I know you embrace Southern culture. I was born here in Georgia, but I don't embrace all facets of "Southern culture." Let's be real. Southern culture, to the tune of less than 200 years ago, included subjecting people to slavery. We fought like hell to keep those people slaves, and there are still people promoting the "heritage" of that fight to keep slavery intact. You can go take a stroll over to the Taylor Grady house on Prince Avenue any day of the week and get a sense of just what slavery bought for certain individuals here in the South. It's time to get with the national program of religious tolerance and making sure that federal and state tax dollars are spent on elements that EVERYONE can enjoy, not just Christians. When you say that people just learned to give a moment for Christian prayer in a publicly funded domain - that's not how it is meant to be. If I want to hear a Christian prayer, I'll be happy to go to church, not to the basketball game in a public school.

My parents and I were all born in Georgia. We have lived most of our lives elsewhere, but my entire family on both sides originates in Georgia. "their economic freedom from the North." Upon just what was the economy of the South based?

Ask Romney and Ryan where they stand on the huge VA benefit cuts in the Romney-Ryan budget. VETERANS BEWARE...Ryan has cut VA benefits and the Senate has voted it through. Republican desperately need their Congressional candidates to win in order for them to pass this bill in the House, They only need a hand full of seats. Altschuler is the key link. Read the NY Times today. Take your time, it's a bit complicated, which is what Romney and Ryan hoped for, so us veterans wouldn't be able to understand it. It comes down to one thing and one thing only: Both Romney and Ryan must tell the truth to veterans "There are NO CUTS in the Ryan Budget to VA benefits" or they're lying to us. The NYTimes and Congressional Budget Office make it clear...HUGE CUTS have been made. Read the article: http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/edsall-the-ryan-sinkhole/?nl=opinion&emc=edit_ty_20120910

Let Romney and Ryan deny it. We HAVE read the article all the way through and it was the Romney Campaign that has sent a mumbo-jumbo of non-denial denials.

Mike Horsman, in your 22 comments here today, you have mentioned God, Allah, Buddha, Christians, Muslim, Southerners, Slavery, Mohammed, Cherokee, Satan worshipers, Black person, Koran, Jews and Islam.

Nowhere were any of these terms mentioned in this article, the Foxnews article, nor the Foxnews video. The subject is about school sanctioned prayer. Period.

George. Would you rather have "in government we trust?" I can only guess that you are just a child. If you only knew why we needed to differentiate ourselves from the godless communist nations you wouldn't mock it (mocking being childish in itself). We are born with our God-given rights to freedom- government cannot take those rights away. The government is not our god or master. It was for them. Good luck with that if you ever find yourself living under those circumstances. None of those countries ever fought to free themselves- it took this godly nation to go beyond and set them free.

The communist hoo-haa (as you'd probably refer to it) had to do with being one nation, under God...in the pledge to the flag.

Mike is correct Most southerns didn't own slaves, but most slaves were owned by Southerns and there was a lot of slaves. It just doesn't make much sense for Northerns to own more slaves. for what? Most cotton plantations were in the south. It was the hottest in the south and most farms were in the South too. And wasn't slavery illegal in the North for most states. I don't claim to know everything about this, but I do know a little about southern history. Didn't the underground railroad lead to up North?. I don't think the school books were all false

Prayer has no place in public schools.
For those undereducated in Constitutional Law- http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/schoolprayer.html
With respect to prayer in general-
why won't god heal amputees?
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/video8.htm

you write that prayer has no place in public schools. in public schools its in a confined area"not to be heard outside of building". but the muslims pray publicly out loud 2 times a day in american cities and their security"the local police" are paid for by us"the taxpayer"......can you explain why outsiders "those that are taught to kill",can do this at our expense? as for amputees,God did not do this to them.i am a nam vet and i saw it all.i never question God. those amputees will again one day have full use of their bodies when they meet their lord .if anyone hates america,God,or is against the morals we have had so long that have brought us this far,may i suggest you leave america and go to another country. DELTA IS READY WHEN YOU ARE. BILL.U.S.ARMY 68-71. JOINED NOT DRAFTED

What did Jesus say in Matt: 6:5-6? "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Also, keep in mind, the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion. “The Government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion." — The Treaty of Tripoli, written during President George Washington's term, signed by President John Adams, and unanimously approved by the Senate.

mr jager lets go on a bit. romans 13:1 says everyone must submit himself to governing authorities ,for there is no authority except that which god has established........i can go on but i suggest you post the whole 5 verses since you only posted a partial one.

If you want to beat the bible...here you go: 1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.---

Not sure what it proves..but I don't think it proves Grant wrong if you're trying to use these versus as proof for the government to allow biases when it comes to the practice of religion. My grandma always told us that people will use the bible to brainwash, bless, and make a mess.don't think your aim with this is to bless people Bill..Enough is enough..Come on. Say it ain't so. Do you really know your beliefs and religion is the only one accepted by God? Let's get grounded and real. Bill, you are floating in a pink bubble.

My grandmother raised us too, and taught Bible school and taught us bible sense and common sense with it. She taught us to live and let others live, and I certainly do believe that God is only able to handle the world in his divine plan not man..in peace and prayer my friend. Big C

For the record- The question the article asks is: "Was it right to force a ban......?" not, "Was it legal to force a ban.......?"
What is right and what is the law do not always go hand in hand.
The government is not the end all, be all in regards to right and wrong.
Nobody has ever answered the question: Why does enforcement of Federal law apply to this minor moral question, but not apply to immigration issues?
That, my friends, is.......not right.

LETS SEE......PLEDGE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG? AGAINST THE LAW NOW IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.PRAYER? ALSO AGAINST THE LAW IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.BIBLES? AGAINST THE LAW IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS,HOWEVER MANDANTORY IN PRISONS.WILL WE BE FORCED TO TAKE DOWN ANY CROSS THAT IS ON ANY GRAVE IN ANY CEMENTARY IN AMERICA? HOW IS IT, WE, "THE MAJORITY"CAN HAVE ONE,YES I SAID 1,PERSON CRY LIKE A BABY TO THE A.C.L.U. ABOUT OUR BELIEFS THAT HAVE STOOD THE TEST MANY,MANY YEARS AND WE ARE NOW BREAKING THE LAWS EVERY WHERE? WHEN WILL THIS END? I THINK WE ALL KNOW.I WILL DIE FOR OUR BELIEFS AND RIGHTS THAN BOW DOWN TO ANTI-EVERYTHING THAT HAS NO MORALS. SATAN IS LAUGHING AND DANCING AS HE WATCHES US"AMERICANS"CRUMBLE BEFORE HIS FEET..AS FOR ME ,I WILL STAND FOR GOD AND AMERICA. ALWAYS HAVE,ALWAYS WILL....IF ANY OF YOU EVEN THINK IM PUSHING RELIGON DOWN YOUR THROATS WELL YOU ARE WRONG.SAD TO SAY I DO NOT ATTEND ANY CHURCH ON A REGULAR BASIS.

I commend you for fighting for our country. My uncle is a vet too,and his point-of-view in nothing close to yours. I just showed you Bill what the the bible scripture says, which you posted partially first. And you claim to go strictly by the bible with your emotions and stance..so why are you still angry?. Just come to terms with the fact that this is all you Bill and your feelings. It has nothing to do with what God says. And you say you will die for "our" beliefs and rights...Who is "our". Please note that all Americans don't think like you do before you decide to die for us. Bill I really do think you need to calm down and educate yourself more. Read a few books other than those given to you. No offense. And please don't listen to Mike. He'll have you upset and he apparently won't help you learn anymore than you already think you know. Peace to you. Big C

Bill valentine writes

".PLEDGE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG? AGAINST THE LAW NOW IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS"
Actually Bill Georgia State Law requires students in public school be given the opportunity to recite the pledge. You should really have some idea what you are talking about before going off on an all caps rant .
Further any student that wants to read whatever Holy book he desires is not prevented from doing so in any public school

Mike Horsman
10:52 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
"Yeah I know, crazy where these things go. The dang liberals steer you all over the place. I promise not to post anymore on this thread".

@ Mike Horsman,
Of course it was necessary to ban prayers that were sponsored by the school. Georgia lost that lawsuit in 1989 and your school was in violation ever since. It was a violation of the United States Constitution even before that. http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/862/824/20114/

Good to see the school finally following the law.

Bill Jager,
I believe you have made your opinion obvious to the patch community. You have been clear that you are not a Christian although you choose to quote the Christian bible. You have repeated your source and it is noted. Clearly everyone is, or should be by now, convinced that you are proud of your involvement seeing to it that this law is upheld. Is there any reason for you to continue repeating yourself? Please! No need to answer a rhetorical question.

If anyone is still uncertain: “Was it Right to Force a Ban of Prayer Before a High School Game?”, the legal answer is yes. Like it or not, as free Americans, we must remember that those among us may be sensitive with our worship as we may be with theirs. God Bless The USA!

Yes Larry the USA --all the people and different diversities of people and religions within it! Yes GOD Bless us All and all our people in foreign lands too! Amen

Can't argue with you on that one Larry..I agree!

To be clear, my previous comments were intended to address the Patch user “Bill Jager” registered to Loganville-Grayson Patch with the assumption that the Patch user “Bill Jager” was the aforementioned “William Jager” in the article linked from the Patch user “Bill Jager”.
I suggest that Anyone may create a Patch user name that hasn’t previously been chosen by Anyone else. This being said, Anyone could be using the name “Bill Jager” without actually being the “William Jager” in the article linked from the Patch user “Bill Jager”.

No assumption on my part Larry. :) and if I must prove who I am: https://www.facebook.com/bill.jager.5

Bill- I checked out your Facebook page. I know we are at odds on this topic but believe would likely agree on many other things. Thanks for serving our country and for showing some backbone. There are many on Patch, Left and Right, who hide behind their computers, throw rocks, and accomplish nothing.

No one is above the law. Countless suits have shown that it is unlawful to hold prayers in public schools. Public schools are for everyone, including those of different faiths, those with no faith, and those who could not care less about faith. If you would like your children to be in a school that supports their particular faith, enroll them in a private religious school.

The only "Christian" concept, imo, that has any value is "do unto others." And this is not even uniquely Christian.
"Christian principles" include a virgin birth, resurrections, heaven/hell, judgment day, vicarious redemption via human sacrifice (predicated on animal sacrifice), magical thinking/prayer, imaginary friends/enemies, suppression of women's rights, homophobia, scientific illiteracy, etc. (and I think these may be contemporary Republican characteristics, too). You can believe these things all you want, but our government established by our secular Constitution (the only mention of god/religion in our Constitution is exclusionary) cannot favor one religion or sect over another or religion over non-religion. For this reason, prayers should not be said at government supported/publicly funded gatherings (and, imo, there shouldn't even be a moment of silence, as this, in reality, is promoting religion over non-religion and is always something Christians want to impose on others).
Think about it- ALL these things are instigated by Christians trying to impose their beliefs on others. If you Christians would stop trying to impose your beliefs, ideas, superstition/magical thinking, etc., on us non-Christians, perhaps we would stop throwing the BS flag at your Bronze Age mythology in tax payer supported/public forums.

Finally, "In God We Trust" on paper money and "...,under god,..." in the pledge are products of the 1950's cold war and were not part of American history until the 1950's. "E Pluribus Unum" as the default motto and "..one nation, indivisable.." with no mention of a god were far better than the creeping Christian theocracy we have in America.