inquisitrlogo

 
Atheists Protest Churches Feeding Football Players Before Games In Georgia

Posted: August 23, 2012
Atheists Protest Churches Feeding Football Players Before Games In Georgia

ridgeland high school football team praying

LaFayette, GA – Atheist group, Freedom From Religion Foundation, claims Georgia high schools are violating the First Amendment by allowing churches to feed football players before games. The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to Walker County Schools in LaFayette, Georgia demanding an investigation into football coach Mark Mariakis and the practice of feeding football players by local church groups, according to The Blaze. Mark Mariakis coaches football at Ridgeland High School.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation also claims Ridgeland football coach Mark Mariakis prayed with his football players and used Bible verses on team shirts and in motivational speeches and engaged in activities hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Freedom From Religion Foundation attorney Andrew Seidel stated in the complaint letter sent to the Walker County Schools that transporting football teams to a church for a meal is unconstitutional. The atheist group attorney also claimed the Ridgeland high school football program is in an “egregious” violation of the Establishment Clause and demanded the football team attending church hosted meals before games in LaFayette end immediately.

“It would be interesting to see what part of the Constitution we violated by simply offering a meal to fellow Americans. These are kids from our area that we do love and we do care about. We as Christians don’t force our religion on anyone,” Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church Youth Director Richie White told Fox News.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation allegedly received a complaint from an anonymous local resident about the football players being given food from a church group on game days. The atheist group also claims ministers “typically” makes remarks to the Walker County football players which focus upon Christianity during the pre-game meals as well. Walker County school administrators are reportedly reviewing the complaint letter from the atheist group and investigating the claims raised.



Comments


10 Archived Responses to “ Atheists Protest Churches Feeding Football Players Before Games In Georgia ”

  1. Brian Westley
    Aug 23, 2012

    Here's a PDF of the letter sent by the FFRF:
    http://ffrf.org/uploads/legal/RidgelandHighSchool,GAfootballviolations.pdf

    The coach is way over the line.

  2. Dolly Dagger
    Aug 23, 2012

    Keep it up, FFRF. Your fanaticism is showing more and more every day. Eventually people will tire of your outrageous claims and either distance themselves from you or just start to ignore you completely.

    Thank GOD that people are waking up to just how your organization works.

  3. Frank Dorka
    Aug 24, 2012

    The FFRF numbers seem to be growing as are people that clain no belief in dietoes…everyday. Read your news. Religion is deteriorating in America and the whole world. The silly are dying off and the new generations do not swallow the religious dogma any longer. that's the way it should be. Do not force children into religion…that is abuse.

  4. John Keepsitrealstraightup
    Aug 31, 2012

    For anyone that has a problem with this…answer this for me please – if it were a Muslim church feeding the kids, and the coach led the kids in an Islamic prayer, would you still be alright with it? If not, think about why.

  5. Nancy Champ
    Sep 8, 2012

    About time someone fought back against FFRF (Freedom From Religion Foundation).

    I hope it spreads across America. The FFRC is trying to strip America of the part of the First Amendment that says…"or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" FIGHT WITH T-SHIRTS!

  6. Crystal Smith
    Oct 19, 2012

    I hope the State of Georgia stands up to the FFRF just like the State of Texas is doing. All Christians from all states need to stand as one!

  7. Evan Balot
    Dec 29, 2012

    Actually, the suit has merit to it. I would personally hate being forced into a place of worship of a religion I do not believe in or else I get kicked out of a team.

  8. Evan Balot
    Dec 29, 2012

    If that is, the case. That is.

  9. Lippu Uv DTeacher
    Dec 30, 2012

    The suit has no merit, actually. See, the First Amendment protects freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion; secondly, were there any other religious officials that offered the football players food prior to the game? If so, then the suit MIGHT have merit; however, if the christian church was the only one that did so, and they accepted, then so be it.

    Thirdly, it doesn't say anywhere in the article where an ultimatum was given to 'go or be fired'. :) Whether one believes in God or not, the First Amendment, as far as I can see, was not violated in any way.

  10. Brian Westley
    Dec 30, 2012

    The suit has plenty of merit; public school football games are not opportunities for coaches to proselytize.