Rarely does a small town make national news for doing something awesome. Normally it is either because something extremely heinous occurred or something super controversial. Last week a small east Texas town just north of where I live landed right in the middle of it because of the latter.
When preparing for an upcoming football game, the Kountze cheerleaders decided to create game posters quoting Bible verses. The cheerleaders were looking for alternatives to traditional slogans and decided as a team to “give glory to God” by including scriptures they thought appropriate for game day. I’m sure at the time they had no idea the controversy that would ensue.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation lodged a complaint that the posters violated attendees right to freedom of religion. The school superintendent contacted a legal adviser at the Texas Association of School Boards. He was advised that the posters were a direct violation of standing Supreme Court decisions. He told the cheerleaders that they would no longer be able to use the signs at ball games.
Frustrated and upset, the cheerleaders and their parents turned to the community and Facebook for support. It wasn’t long before a Facebook support group was started (which now has over 35,000 members) and the media got wind of the story. The attention caught the notice of the Liberty Institute who agreed to represent the girls in their fight pro bono.
A local judge issued an injunction against the school on Thursday and a hearing has been set for October 4th. The Liberty Institute is basing their argument on a Supreme Court case, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, that states students do not lose their constitutional rights while on campus. The opposing argument is based on a different Supreme Court decision, Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, that states student led or initiated prayers over the loudspeaker at football games was unconstitutional because it implies school sponsorship.
Whew… That’s a lot of information. So what do I think about all of it (because y’all know I have an opinion)?
First and foremost, I am a Christian. I have no problem standing behind a message that I feel glorifies God, AND I believe that I’m granted that right by the Constitution. As an American, I support the rights of EVERYONE to do the same thing. Regardless of whether we believe the same things or not.
I live right smack dab in the Bible belt. The majority of people in our area are conservative Christians. I have to wonder if the people that are rallying behind these girls would do the same thing if the signs had been of a different religion or belief system. The local paper asked this question in an online poll. Fifty five percent of respondents answered that “Yes. I support every student’s right to express their religious beliefs.” {insert my skeptical face here}
I will admit to being surprised by the results. Either I have greatly underestimated my community, enough people did not respond to gain an accurate view of our area, or people are great, big, fat liars. I think I’m going to get some buckets ready for all the pants that are fixin’ to spontaneously combust. Because really? Really they would all be okay if these were the signs that appeared at the next high school football game?
I mean… for the most part, these are people that object strenuously to the theory of evolution being taught in public school, but now all of the sudden they would be okay with a Satan Rules!!! poster at a high school football game?! Yeah… I’m guessing no.
We may not know the final outcome of this for months or even years (depending on how far the parties involved want to fight it), but I’m glad I’m not the one that has to make the final decision. I just hope that the parties fighting so hard for the Kountze cheerleaders to have their right to freedom of speech understand the full implication if they win.
Because it will not just be a victory for Christians. It will be a victory for all religions. And if they can’t support that freedom for everyone then they have no business fighting for it themselves.
Oh, I’m so glad you wrote this! It’s almost exactly the argument I used in a discussion earlier! It’s easy to fight for freedoms when you are in the majority…but would you really support that freedom for someone with totally different views than you? If no, then don’t start the fight. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander…
By the way, one last thought…..We should have been friends in HS…really friends, not just friendly. I was kind of stupid in HS I realize that now!
I think we are all pretty stupid high school, or at least less wise.
100% yes!!! I truly think that people don’t understand the bigger picture. We are such a self centered society. And these poor girls. They had no idea what they were doing. Their intentions we’re good, but they needed some adult to spell out all possibilities here. Ugh!
I truly believe they had the best of intentions, and if you read all the stories they are trying to turn this into a positive thing.
Still a Stone of Stumbling and a Rock of Offense. Just like He said.
I am so blessed by those cheerleaders boldness to share their faith.
And you’re right. We need to be careful we’re saying what we think we’re saying. You’d think that people who have kids would have gotten caught in that mess enough at home, they’d be more aware of the hazard of doing it in the public arena.
–She Who Lives With Teens and Has Even Her Most Careful Words Weighed and Found Wanting by the Constituency.
I think sometimes we only see as far as we want to.
And I am guessing you are right. As usual.
Well yeah. I’m always right.
Nederland resident here. I myself am an atheist, have been for years after a Christian upbringing. Though I don’t really like to label myself that, because I don’t want you to see me as one. See me for who I am, not what I believe. As for Kountze, i’m sick of hearing about it, and everyone arguing about it! Can’t we all just get along and love each other?! lol Had I gone to a game with a sign like that, it wouldn’t have bothered or offended me. I probably wouldn’t even notice. I think religion shouldn’t be in schools. Football games? Not really…but like you said, if you agree to religious quotes being displayed, then ALL religions should be included. Considering this is Southeast Texas..ha..that’s not gonna happen. You’re right, they are fighting for their signs to be displayed…yet probably haven’t thought about the other side of it.
I would love for someone of a different belief to haul out their signs and see what happens then.
YES. This!! It kind of reminds me of the whole Chick-fil-A thing…I don’t think people are actually standing up for what they say they’re standing up for, but rather have an ulterior motive. I give it a few weeks and the Satan Lovers of America will be out there with their signs standing on the school’s front lawn, and then what? Are they going to take back their “freedom for everyone” stance?
Anyway, thanks for putting such a logical “spin” on what is clearly an emotionally-charged issue.
Great Post! Like it or not these cheerleaders represented a typical Texas bible belt town who stands up for what they believe. I personally am very proud of them .
Growing up in drillteam from a small east Texas town myself, we stood behind the bleachers every Friday in a prayer circle and said quick prayer before we went on the field. I look back very fondly on that memory.
LOVE. THIS. As usual, you found a way to say pretty much how I feel, but eloquently. I refrain from the controversial issues-not because I am afraid of them, but because I cannot clearly express my feelings without getting my panties all up in a knot.
As soon as I saw this I thought pretty much the same things as you. Go team is all that is appropriate here. No religious texts should be used in this context. Common sense is dying.
Bless you girls! Glad to see someone is brave enough to step on and defend their faith. God is bigger than all this and He’s got your back! You go girls!!
That’s a tough situation. I totally see your point. I’d like to support the effort to spread God’s word to everyone, but there’s no denying that we live in America and God does tell us to obey those who govern us.
It’s a question that people feel so strongly about. I wish there were an easier answer! I think that’s why we’ve just always chosen to send our kids to parochial schools so we can express our faith and feel free to do so. I’m so blessed that we have the chance to do that.
You really express your point well, Jennifer!!