Posted on 06/02/2014 7:53:47 PM PDT by fungoking
An atheist college professor is going after a Missouri high school principal who delivered a faith-themed graduation speech that referenced prayer and the nation’s history of celebrating a higher power.
Principal (Image source: YouTube) Principal Kevin Lowery invoked God in his graduation ceremony speech. (Image source: YouTube)
Principal Kevin Lowery of Lebanon High School, a public school in Lebanon, Missouri, can be seen in a YouTube clip reminding graduates of America’s religious history before holding a moment of silence.
“In fact, I’d like to remind our graduates that our nation’s motto is, in fact, ‘In God We Trust.’ If you’re ever in doubt, just take a quick look at our nation’s currency and you’ll find out for yourself,” Lowery told students.
He continued: “A similar phrase appears in the final stanza of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’ Written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key and later adopted as the U.S. national anthem on March 3, 1931 by U.S. President Herbert Hoover, the song contains in early records to a variation of this phrase: ‘And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’”
Lowery went on the cite the inclusion of a “creator” in the Declaration of Independence. After delivering the brief history lesson, the principal said that despite a rich faith-filled history, many say that mentions of God in the public square are inappropriate.
“And even though God is reflected in the very fabric of our nation, we are told that it is inappropriate and even illegal to mention God at high school graduations, let alone say a prayer,” he added. “So while it would not be politically correct for us to have an official prayer this evening, I would like for us to have a moment of silence in honor of tonight’s graduates.”
He proceeded to hold a moment of silence. Then, when it was done, he described for the audience how he used the seconds of quiet to thank God for the students, parents and teachers in the community.
And he wasn’t done there.
“I asked God to protect these students as they go their separate ways into the world. I asked God to avail himself in every possible way,” he continued. “And I asked God to watch over them, to protect them, and to bless them with self-fulfillment, with compassion, inner peace, and personal prosperity.”
Lowery told the students and families in attendance that “God is still important.”
Just think if he had heard Mr Lowery speak at baccalaureate, hosted by my church.
BTW, we say the pledge every morning in 1st hour, one our 1st teacher workdays a bi-vocational pastor on staff opens with prayer, at the same meeting during the height of the Chick-fil-A controversy he arranged to have a meal catered by them.
I invite Dr Coyne to come on down and ask his questions at an open forum.
The video is in the article or here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctwrBqcBcgM
That dip weed has too much time on his hands. Tell him to get a life.
Sounds like the speaker had read the Supreme Court’s recent prayer in public meetings decision. Justice Kennedy made most of those same points.
Greece v. Galloway is the case, a victory for a common sense interpretation of the first amendment.
Seems it’s not enough that these atheists decline to believe in G-d; they insist that no one else does, either.
Strange.
Dr. Coyne has no king but Obama.
Obama revealed that he thought E pluribus unum was the nation’s motto. The Liberal media where Obama receives news of important national events had not informed him.
Perhaps Obama can become better informed by reading Free Republic.
On July 11, 1954, a month after the phrase "UNDER GOD" was incorporated into the Pledge of Allegiance, Congress enacted Public Law 84-140 which put the motto, 'IN GOD WE TRUST,' on all national coins and currency.
In 1956, the phrase 'IN GOD WE TRUST' was legally adopted by Congress as the official United States' National Motto.
In a 2003 joint poll by USA Today, CNN, and Gallup reported that 90% of Americans support "IN GOD WE TRUST" on U.S. coins.
In 2006, on the 50th anniversary of its adoption, the Senate reaffirmed "IN GOD WE TRUST" as the official national motto.
In July 2010, a Federal Appeals Court in the District of Columbia ruled 3-0 the National Motto was constitutional under the First Amendment, quoting the 1970 decision, Aronow v. United States:
"It is quite obvious that the national motto and slogan on coinage and currency 'IN GOD WE TRUST' has nothing whatsoever to do with the establishment of religion."
On March 7, 2011, the Supreme Court denied a challenge by an atheist who was intolerant of the National Motto, by letting the decision of the Federal Appeals Court stand.
On November 1, 2011, the House of Representatives passed an additional resolution in a 396-9 vote reaffirming "IN GOD WE TRUST" as the official motto of the United States.
Quote:
“Perhaps I missed what professor is the complainer?”
Wait until the beginning of the next school year and see who the new principle is, and it is likely he/she that was the complainer.
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