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Frank Lay, Pace High School principal, and Robert Freeman, the school's athletic director, will appear on criminal contempt charges for offering public prayer in a public school. The administrators face up to 6 months in jail and a $5,000 fine for offering a mealtime prayer. Lay and Freeman go on trial today at a federal district court in Pensacola for breaching the conditions of a lawsuit settlement reached last year with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). By violating the court order, the two are in danger of being found in contempt of court.
Pace High School, located in Florida's Santa Rosa County School District, is a school of more than 1,800 students. Pace is known by many as "the Baptist Academy." For years, teachers and staff delivered prayers, mandated students complete religious-oriented assignments and encouraged involvement in religious clubs. Teachers offered Bible readings or biblical interpretations and talked about the churches they attended. Christian prayers during sporting events and other activities were common. All this was encouraged and endorsed by Principal Frank Lay.
The school district has allowed flagrant violations of the First Amendment for years. The Pace High School teachers handbook asks teachers to "embrace every opportunity to inculcate, by precept and example, the practice of every Christian virtue."
After years of warnings and abuse, last year the ACLU finally filed a lawsuit against the Santa Rosa County School District, claiming that teachers and administration "endorsed" religion. Rather than fight, the School District consented to the entry of an order that prohibited, among other things, all prayer at school-sponsored events. Nine days after Lay signed the temporary injunction, he was accused of violating the order.
While both men are guilty, Lay deserves some time in jail. Lay was the one in charge. Lay asked Freeman to violate the court order. Lay knowingly asked and encouraged a subordinate to break the law. Lay's contempt for the law and the constitution are reprehensible. His promotion and enforcement of Christianity within his school is truly criminal. Perhaps the greatest crime was that Lay was allowed to promote his religion for years unchecked. It is clear he hired faculty and staff who would support his agenda of proselytizing and evangelizing public school students. Such behavior is despicable, and deserves the full penalty of the law.
Principal Lay was warned repeatedly. He signed a document giving his word he would not engage in such activity only a week prior. Yet he violated the court order; he demonstrated that he was not a man of his word - his signature, his bond, his guarantee - meant nothing.
It would send a positive message to the kids if he served some jail time. No one is above the law. Those who break the law should be punished.
Lay showed contempt for the law. He abused his position of authority. As such, he is incompetent, and should not be allowed to lead a public institution such as a high school. He brings shame to himself and his community. His actions show a disrespect for faculty, students, and the nation.
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Science, Religion and the New Atheism
Comments
Dude, you are a coward and when you stand in the front of God to be judged He will not know you and you will whine like a little bitch for eternity....much longer than your pathetic little whine about this issue.
Gabriel - God will judge you for your attack on the "Dude", haven't you read your Bible lately?
But seriously - why does a prayer get this man JAILTIME? If you don't believe that anyone is listening to the prayer, then it is little more than a bunch of words strung together, not unlike the words strung before and after the so called prayer... To send someone to jail for that is MESSED UP.
Micha, Have you even bothered reading the First Amendment?
Congress 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.
This Judge is not only stating that the state Religion is Atheism
but is stating that a citizen loses their freedom of speech when they work in a "Public" school. BOTH violate the Constitution 7 therefore should not be enforced.
Burp,
You might want to try to understand the first amendment. Lay is guilty of violating the establishment clause of the first amendment. As an agent of the gov he can not establish and/or enforce his religious beliefs on others.
Paul,
he deserves prison time because he violated a court order, he is in contempt of court.
Gabriel,
you express the ignorant superstition I would expect from a good Christian. Thank you for living up to the stereotype.
God bless your soul, Micha! I will pray for you.
He led a prayer? In school? I guess we better crucify him for violating free speech... (this only computes in a liberal's mind.)
What if a teacher espouses global warming (mother earth worship)...which is the new liberal religion...I suppose they should be jailed too, correct?
You are sick! We have a constitution that allows for the free expression of religion. It was in place for 200 years and it served us well. Prayer reminds us of our dependency on God, not the state. God sets up nations. He can take them down. If you want to jail all those who wish to pray in school, then you will have to release the hardened criminals who have killed and raped. I suppose those kinds of people are preferred by you to Christians who bow their knee to God and acknowledge as our founding fathers did, their dependence on God. Have you even read the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the writings of the founders of this nation? They believed in prayer. They prayed publicly and the nation was blessed. God honors those who honor Him. You seem hell-bent on shaking your fist in His face. NO ONE ever survives that challenge. You may for a season, but you will not survive your defiance of our holy God. Eternity is a very long time! You're preparing for it now.
Micha, I think you are misapplying both the constitution and history. And before citing current Supreme Court position, please remember that the SCOTUS once condoned slavery. Just as certainly as it can correct a wrong it can incorporate one.
Do you believe it is wrong for a group or an individual to impose their/his/her moral beliefs upon others? I am reasonably certain you and many others would answer "yes".
The problem in saying yes is that one is imposing, or at least attempting to impose, his/her moral framework on others. Please take a moment to consider this. The idea of a "religion free zone" in schools or anywhere else is a logical impossibility. Some form of moral framework will be imposed. The disagreement is in what that framework will be. The obvious current push is toward atheism. But again, if your argument regarding the constitution is correct then atheism is not allowed. Atheism is no more or less a religion than any other moral framework.
I will not contend t
Part 2 I will not contend that Christian principles have been misapplied. Would you be upset if you were arrested and jailed for the actions of someone who looked and dressed like you? How close to being you would a person need to be before you agreed to serve jail time? A sibling perhaps? I doubt it. Do not hold Christianity responsible for those claiming to be Christian.
It is beyond argument that this country was founded upon Judeo-Christian principles. Some may not like it, but it is true. To supplant what the founders knew as foundational with atheism is destructive to our constitution and to our country. Those of us who recognize this are rightfully fighting those who are ignorantly or intentionally striving to destroy America. We will continue to do so.
Finish:
If those mentioned in this article did agree to discontinue such activities and then continued them they are in the wrong. I cannot tell because the article is clearly biased, and cannot be trusted to present the other side accurately or completely. But the Constitutional question remains.
For those who want more information on this topic I strongly recommend Liberty and Tyranny by Mark Levin.
Nice example of the current craziness of the left.
another jewish attack on innocent school officials.
since leo pfeffer began his non stop assault on all things white and christian the aclu has lived and breathed the destruction of god and christianity!
the constitution states "congress shall make no law regarding religion and the practice thereof!" leo pfeffer the great jew lawyer made that statement seem to say "congress shall destroy religion" of course it does not say that!
if jews don't like christianity why don't they move to israel where ONLY judaism is tolerated!
In an earlier post I commented:
I will not contend that Christian principles have been misapplied. Would you be upset if you were arrested and jailed for the actions of someone who looked and dressed like you? How close to being you would a person need to be before you agreed to serve jail time? A sibling perhaps? I doubt it. Do not hold Christianity responsible for those claiming to be Christian.
I had no idea I would receive such strong obvious support for that statement so quickly.
I should have been more observant and seen you are the author, Micha. Your previously wrote:
"Earlier this year, Lay asked the school athletic director, Robert Freeman, to "bless the food" at a luncheon at Pace High for school personnel and booster club members instrumental in helping procure a new field-house."
I am curious: was this in fact and legally a school sponsored event? Their efforts benefiting the school don't necessarily make it so. Neither does having school personnel in attendance. I am sure that you are aware that prayer is not banned in school or any other public building; there are specifics involved.
This should be an easy question. After all, you are a truth seeker and I am sure you determined the answer to this before flatly stating that these men deserved jail time. I presume you are also a constitutional attorney to have so quickly determined their obvious guilt. We are indeed lucky to have you bless us with your truth. Plants must be growing apace there.
If atheism is a religion then bald is a hair color.
Nothing wrong with prayer in schools - just as long as they include prayers to Allah and Vishnu and Thor and Isis and Odin and Zeus and Gaia and Krishna and Mithras and Quetzalcoatl and the Flying Spaghetti Monster and Vulcan and...
As a parent that had two children graduate from Pace High school, I sit wondering where you got your facts concerning what the teachers did and did not require the students to do with regard to religion. Yes there were and still are prayers before sporting events these are student led. The first admemdment promices freedom of speech, this includes praying. Frank Lay did violate the injunction and will be tried accordingly, however the students are the ones that lead the prayers before games at graduations and most other events. Frank Lay can't stop the freedom of speech
"If atheism is a religion then bald is a hair color"
Perhaps the poster can’t discuss the bigger issues and instead offers poorly thought out distractions.
It is not about your misconception of religion. It is about belief systems. That is one of the definitions of the word, and that context should have been obvious to anyone exercising both reading comprehension and intellectual honesty. Atheism is a belief system that addresses moral questions and issues just like other belief systems. Arguing that atheism skirts the establishment clause because it is not a religion is either intentional ignorance or an outright lie.
Now please, either quit or attempt to take the debate more than one notch above “did not…did too”.
Ben Said: "Nothing wrong with prayer in schools - just as long as they include prayers to Allah and Vishnu and Thor and Isis and Odin and Zeus and Gaia and Krishna and Mithras and Quetzalcoatl and the Flying Spaghetti Monster and Vulcan and..."
I suggest Molech. Your kid can go first.
Thomas Jefferson stated: "The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty. A student's perusal [examination] of the sacred volume will make him a better citizen, a better father, a better husband."
As I recall, Jefferson, the author of "the wall separation between church and state", held the job of superintendent of schools while he was president. He insisted the bible be one of the students’ text books. Anyone care to explain? Perhaps he didn't understand the constitution, or he decided to violate it. Hey, just forward the idea that the constitution is a "living document", and so reduce it to ANYTHING the SCOTUS decides to say it means. 1984 here we come!
FYI, the “wall” is not in the constitution. It was in a letter to the Danbury Baptists explaining that they need not fear government intrusion because of the “wall of separation”. Jefferson’s own actions show this wall was “one way”; it kept government out of the church. It was not to keep the church out of government.
First Amendment:
Congress 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.
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
We are so screwed as a country.
Kildee:
It certain interferes with my right to exercise my religion if I am Jewish and every classroom assignment is about Christianity and is forced on me. Religion does not belong in taxpayer funded schools. Would you be comfortable knowing that your tax money was going to fund a public school where Islam or Wiccan paganism was the curricula being forced down children's throats daily?
You conveniently missed the first clause:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
Every country that missed that important concept has resolved the matter through centuries of bloodshed. In fact, that is the main reason America was founded, to escape the religious bloodshed of England.
Greling, you seem to be in disagreement with Thomas Jefferson on this issue. I have no doubt that you know more about the original intent of the Constitution than he did. /sarc
Benzin:
Where exactly do we disagree? When it comes to there being separation of church and state?
Well, that's not my idea. That's his in fact...
www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html
If far-Right Christians want to renege on the original agreement laid out by the framers, that we have a secular government, then they should work the amend the Constitution.
Benzin, your views are closer to James Madison than they are Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson believe that religion and the Bible was all poppycock. He was a Deist and a strong critic of Christianity.
Do some reading, fer cryin' out loud. Try starting 5 posts down and then expand from there instead of just going with the narrow drivel you have been spoon fed.
I have two kids that attend Pace High. While Frank Lay did break the law in this case and will be tried accordingly, it should not impact the way the school is run. Students have the OPPORTUNITY to participate in STUDENT led prayer. There are no requirements it is by choice. It is a shame that coaches and teachers can not support (not lead)these activities if that is their choice.
This has become reverse discrimination! I keep hearing the ACLU complaints and charges. Where are the parents and kids that have issues with the running of the school. Has anyone heard from any that have felt discriminated against?
The Pace School District has been considered an excellent school district for years. Nothing but good has come from it. Yet you jackass athiests want to ruin yet another place.
The next war may begin here.
Benzin wrote:"I am curious: was this in fact and legally a school sponsored event?"
To answer your question...No, it was not...the booster club is a club of private individuals made up of parents of athletes, alumni, community business leaders and other members of the community that donate their time and money to help support the athletes at Pace High School...although the dedication dinner was held at the school it was not a school or government funded event.
There are only 2 things in life a man can have with the guarantee that no other man can take these things from him...that is his education and his faith...Frank Lay has dedicated his life to sharing and promoting both of these to the children in our community and I for one am grateful to him for that...
The author of this article is obviously lacking at least one of these valuable tools for leading a successful and fulfilling life and I will pray for him that he may one day know the joy and peace that having faith in God bring
The law is the law and no one should feel they are above the law and feel that it applies to everyone else. what a lousy example and message this so-called educator is sending to his students and students across the nation. How do we explain they are suppose to follow the rules and laws in our school, community and the nation if the head of the school feels that he doesn't have to follow any rules and laws. You reap what you sow. He should be prepared to pay the price of disobeying the law no matter how he feels about it. I believe prayer should be allowed in school. I am a Christian but until we can legally change this law, we as good citizens should obey the law.
Where are all the PARENTS of these kids? Are they picketing? Are they complaining? How about the kids? What has been the socio-economic impact of this outstanding school, teachers and administrators? What are the atheists afraid of? I don't hear the Jews, Muslims, etc complaining here. It's the Athiests, dummy. They are afraid that they may be wrong. When they find out, it will be too late.... for them.
Only in the deep South would such religious ignorance be tolerated.
The whole thing is disgusting - Lay should not be in a public school.
I do not understand how people think our country and society are better for taking God out of our schools and public forum. Those who are protesting will answer one day for their actions. This country was founded on Judeo-Christian values and the founding fathers knew that without God as our head, the country would succumb to each man's definition of morality and that we would lose the very freedom we hold so dear. Watch the news, and wake up America.
Read your bible folks, It tells of people like these athiests. The war has been fought, Jesus had already paid the price for believers. Read the last book of the bible to see who wins.
This guy says that the teacher's "promotion and enforcement of Christianity within his school is truly criminal." Maybe they should hammer nails through the teachers wrists and hang him on a cross too... Even the choice of words "enforced" shows the disdain the writer of this article seems to have for Christians. It doesn't even make sense that a Christian would "enforce" prayer to being with. However, to me it does not matter if the person offering a prayer was Jewish, Muslim, or any other religion... If someone wants to pray in public it should always be allowed.... even in schools. As odd as it sounds, if someone considered a clock on the wall to be "god" and they wanted to pray to it, it's a free country. Suppressive thinking (and way of being) has infected so many, and it really shows in today's lawmakers, and easily influenced people.
Hold On One Minute! Bullying people from being able to pray in public is not something that our constitution allows, unless someone twists the constitution's meaning. Soon after... you might as well arrest people for listening to music lyrics in public because they have a "message" or some influence on people. What's next... no plays in school either? Who decides what is ok to say, think, or pray? ...A Teacher? A Student? A Judge? The ACLU? The Government? I think not. This is truly an oxymoron for anyone to tell somebody they can't pray in public... or sing... or dance... cry... laugh... whisper... or express themselves in any loving manner they decide!
I actually heard that they weren't even kids present it was all adults and he was just praying before a meal. So now people get punished for the freedom of speach? Next maybe we should punish atheists for not believing in anything or praying to anything, starting maybe with this ignorant reporter how their trying to say, finally NCLU whatever did something about it, because "they abused the praying priviallage for so long." Who cares what people believe in? isn't that part of what Amercia is about anways the freedom to beleive anything you want?
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