LFO Bible verse ‘complainant’ denies call for ban

that's really sort of funny.

Maybe Ms. Jackson should have thought about the ramifications of making a "complaint/statement" before doing so. It looks like she is now regretting her actions due to the overwhelming support the LFO cheerleaders have received. I don't think that this community has any division on this issue.

I guess you fell asleep in that law class when they went over the Constitutional Right to free speech and freedom of religion!!!!!

Ms. Jackson showed courage in making her complaint and that she is being pilloried for her act suggests the level of that courage and the hostile atmosphere in supposedly friendly small towns. The News Free Press has been part of this rabble-rousing.

Mr. Benton, you state in this article that Ms. Jackson wanted to be sure that the practice was within the "ever-changing and very confusing lines drawn by the federal courts about such things." I'm not sure these were her words or yours. If the latter, perhaps you can tell me what about this situation is confusing? The cheerleaders were a recognizable school group promoting Christian religion AS A SCHOOL GROUP. That is clearly unconsitutional and would be by any reading of the First Amendment.

I don't believe Ms. Jackson fell asleep in her law class. I believe you are rather naive if you don't see the potential issue at the school. I'm a public educator and have seen many seemingly harmless things happen and a mountain has been made out of a mole hill.

Simple, BAN ANY RELIGOUS ORIENTED THING IN SCHOOL, not that it would shut the HOLIER THAN THOU christians, but there needs to be a clear boundry not the shades of gray that the christians are taught and use to put down ANYONE in disagreement. Heres an Idea lets get the schools to start teaching the kids again instead of programming then to take state tests for further funding. OOps,m thats logical and sensible, go right over the school board and administrators heads, ZING!!!

This is a huge LAUGH on all the Jew haters commenting on earlier versions of this story, claiming w/o proof that the person complaining about the bible verses is a Jew! Bwah ha ha!

"Ms. Jackson...contacted (the)superintendent...to “express concern that the cheerleaders’ signs be done in such a way that...(was)...within the... lines drawn by the federal courts..."

Her concern is well founded. I bet after she brought it up the school decided they'd better be pro-active. To do something about a clearly illegal situation before someone else takes them to court.

just another example of some STUPID "do gooder" having to point out something no one else had seen as a possible problem making it into the problem she thought she was going to fix. simply stupid, stupid, stupid what exactly did she think would happen when she asked her question? says she didnt complain something must have bothered her to call. people like her went to college doesnt say if she graduated or not so i wont say she needs to add common sense to her list of classes she needs to take now. i'm kinda appalled that someone that took a class and now thinks she is an expert would have not been able to have forseen what would happen when you make a call like that she obviously didnt learn much from the class. now she has learned stupidity usually rises to the top and lady you are now highest on the list. congrats want your prize? one way ticket to Iraq you can go help them solve their problems they will appreciate your concern. lol

You think she got a good education at Liberty (is for christians only) University?

And she mentions Falwell like that's a plus? The guy who said, "Grown men should not be having sex with prostitutes unless they are married to them." ??!! "Good Christians, like slaves and soldiers, ask no questions." "The true Negro does not want integration... He realizes his potential is far better among his own race... It will destroy our race eventually."

Mrs. Jackson,

Our population here is largely one religious home-team. What is the use of fairness when there's only one team on the playing field? I consider you a hero, and i know that anywhere else in the country your actions would be met with respect and agreement, even among devout Christians. The fact is, the people see no reason to be fair when they see no 'other' to be fair to. Though you see it, and i see it, and the federal government happens to remember (thank God!) that our forefathers saw it, those people won't see it until they catch a glimpse of the world. This is why the Southern stereotype has a reputation for ignorance. But they are often poor and overworked and exploited, and may never get to see it before they teach their children and then die. And the children embrace their ignorance as a tradition, and pretend to be proud of it. After all, when you're all by yourself in the world, what else have you got?

I would like to meet you one day to thank you. It is because of you that the South is rising.

wow waited late to tone into this.

First off the cheerleaders worked on the signs without the instruction to do so over the summer, their own time, own money. Therefore the speech used is theirs and their own and cannot be subjugated to law or hence that would be law being intolerable to their religion.

To the Public educator, your opinion is not valid. Education is probably the worse representation of knowledge that the United States currently has. You spend your time babysitting mass bodies instead of providing knowledge and this is coming from someone who was a Education Dual Major. It is a pathetic circumstance.

Young Citizen: you may want to read the next article where Ms. Jackson says she said none of this. Is she still your hero? Jesus' voice will be heard among His people. I am a southerner and a CHRISTian and I am far from ignorant.

So the community has rallied around cheerleaders and football players trampling on the Word of God. Is anything sacred? What's next - the Book of Titus on toilet paper?

Proverbs 21:23 If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble

Ecc 5:1 As you enter the house of God Keep your ears open and your mouth shut! dont be a fool who doesn't realize that mindless offerings to God are Evil.

My heros don't have superpowers, Chickamauga123. That's why they are my heros.

-youngcitizen

p.s.

i realize a terrible mistake i made when i said "people won't see it until they catch a glimpse of the world." That's just plain wrong. Even if they glimpse the whole wide world, they still might never see it.

but i never call anyone ignorant.

Yeah, I think we need to loosen our bible belt before we choke on it. The law is the law. Write your representatives if you want the law to change. The state should take no part in religious matters whatsoever. Churches should be taxed or be monitored like any other non-for-profit organization. It really is only a matter of time..

Most of the players probably wear undershirts.. If the players want a bible verse make you a t-shirt and some money by selling them :)

Kudos to Ms. Jackson! She should never have had to complain since the LFO cheerleader activities clearly violate church/state separation. I assume their activities were supervised and approved by an adult who was an employee of the school system. What's his/her excuse? If not for our Court system, the bible thumpers, using a distorted free speech argument, would infect public education with the myths of Genesis.

I'm just awondering, do they get to keep using the sing or not?

1st-ebartoo-You and several others are just spouting off. Read the article she said she didn't complain so she is no hero for you or any of your friends. 2nd-Ms. Jackson-Don't try to play all innocent. If you were taking the class you stated you were, you knew once someone anyone brought this to their attention, the matter would have to be addressed. I'm sure you never dreamed your actions would cause such an up roar. Remember what we teach our children. "We are responsible for our actions". I feel sure you did know what your actions would cause and now you are paying a very high price. This is something that will follow you for a long time. You will be reaping what you sowed for years to come. You will always be remembered as the person that got our signs banned! You're in my prayers.

I wonder what would happen to the so called government, if the christan parents started keeping their kid's home, and home schoole them. So the government had no say on any matter that they do?

I believe that complainer was referring to the case "Bong Hits for Jesus" banner that ended up in the supreme court.

Here is a press release of that case. http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/06/25/free.speech/

There is a video section to post on too:

If these christian wackos are so intent on brainwashing kids with religion, send them to jesus schools. There are plenty of them around here. Don't use MY tax dollars to push YOUR asinine religion in public schools. Christians are so ridiculously ignorant, it's almost unbelievable. I wonder how many of them can even spell "constitution". If there were a player on the team that said he wants to run through a "There is no god" sign, the rednecks would be outraged and ensure that it never happened. But then again, hypocrisy and christianity go hand in hand.

It's a Southern thing? I know plenty of southerners who don't support inclusion of religious propaganda (and that's what this is) at a school event. I'm not Christian and I'd bet some of the fans at the games aren't either, and if someone unfurled these signs, I'd file a complaint and walk out. You folks already have your own schools all over the place; stop trying to ingratiate your faith at a "public" school. Who cares how hard the girls worked? You don't live in a tunnel? This serves as a great lesson in how law evolves and why. I grew up in the only non-Christian family in a largely Catholic neighborhood and put up with the Christmas carols (nice tunes, ixnay on the Jesus, Holy Child stuff, go back 4 steps to Mass, not school assembly) but I always felt left out. Just because you think everyone thinks like you do does not make you right.

I can't believe how many anti-Christian hate mongers there are in this town.

cave_demon, I guess with your logic, you're empowered to run people off the public roads if they have a religious car tag since your tax dollars are paying for the road and you don't want them to push their religious beliefs in your face? Get a life dude (or dudette).

Show me how many people were hurt by the signs that were held up during the last 6 football seasons... show me the people that had their life turned upside down because one of these signs pushed 'asinine' thoughts into their head ... just show me 1.

It's totally unfair for you to categorize Christians as being ignorant. Your statements show you to be more ignorant and more narrow minded than most people that comment on this board. Learn to live and let live. I can live with your ignorant remarks and name calling because I know there are people like you in this world with tiny brains. You, my friend, need to learn to live with people around you that have differing opinions and beliefs without forcing your ungodly behavior on them... it cuts both ways.

And btw, have you even seen any of the messages that were on these signs? ... show me 1 that sent a message against higher moral values. Maybe you need to educate yourself a little more and speak with a little more positive message yourself.

OK, maybe this person didn't complain. I WILL! The law is clear on this matter and this practice should end NOW before a lawsuit is filed and we the taxpayers have to pay for a costly trial with an assured outcome.

Just because people show up for a rally in support of an unconstitutional action doesn't mean there aren't an equal number of people who DON'T support it. Gang mentality is gang mentality no matter who the gang is. No group is more vocal in their opinions than those who deem theirs the only ones which matter.

Intimidation is used by religious zealots as a means to exclude those who do not share their beliefs - to browbeat. Most of those who differ in opinions, whether of another religion or just people who want a quality education in a public school without indoctrination of their kids, choose not to instigate an argument. Some people respect everyone's right of choice of religion or freedom from religion, an equally important privilege. Many probably feel that the school football field is not the place for religion of any kind. But they don't "make waves" because they don't want ire directed at them or to make targets of their children.

I am ashamed of all the attention this behavior has generated. Aren't there more important issues in schools than this? How many parents so fervently support excellence in teaching, higher aspirations for graduation rates or acheivable standards for reading levels? Step back and take a look at the big picture, folks. Can't you practice your exclusive belief systems on your own time and quit insisting on forcing them on MY children? They have just as much right to attend their school's football game as anyone, without being subjected to views they find offensive.

suzypublic ... I'll play your silly game.

Show me a message from one the banners that you and your children deemed offensive and tell me why the message is detrimental to your beliefs.

I wonder if all of these people would be so supportive of the cheerleaders if they were panting passages from The Holy Qur'an, Bhagavad Gita, some of the things from PETA or the teaching of the Church and School of Wicca. It is free of speech as long as it is MY SPEECH! It is freedom of religion as long as it is MY RELIGION!

Think about it people.

@TAzGa: It's not the actual words in the message that I may find offensive but it's the OVERALL message that bothers me. The bible is a book filled with fairy tales and miracles that cannot be proven, hipocracy, racism, rape, murder, death, countless contradictions and makes women sub-servient to men. Is that good enough for you or should I go on? My vote is for a little "Go team" on the banners next time like most normal high schools would do.

Young Citizen,Your comments about the poor,overworked,and exploited Southerners is the most arrogant statement I have ever seen in these forums. By just reading your comments and your opinion of good ,hard working southern people,my guess you were born "with a silver spoon in your mouth" and you probably are not from the South. But, neither matters to me or most of the other poor,misguided,and exploited people of the South. But one of my favorite southerners put it best a few years ago..."Delta is ready when you are."

Thank you suzy. You made my point.

It's not arrogance, vtg. I've seen it, and you have too. If someone fails to recognize the value of the principle of fairness, they had better be mighty poor, mighty overworked, or mighty exploited, cause if they're not, they got no excuse but plain old ignorance. Good luck getting Jesus to wash that off in an hour on Sunday.

Religions are about bigotry, intolerance, and dividing people. Do we want this in our schools?

@Amorphous All of these things are already in the public schools. Try expressing a dissenting opinion on gun control, abortion, evolution, Christianity, etc. and see how far the toleration goes. If you don't toe the politically correct line, you are labeled a bigot, intolerant, and divisive. When it comes to religion, Wicca, Islam, Buddahism, Taoism, Indian mysticism, are evidently ok for teaching tolerance, inclusiveness, and love.

Let me first say that I believe this topic can be discussed respectfully and intellectually, without resorting to name calling. It is my intention to proceed this way throughout this post. The post will be continued in the following post; however, I would first like to address the comments from previous posts describing Christians as "ignorant" and "brainwashed." I was born and raised in the "Bible-belt;" however, I did not accept the Christian faith until I was convinced through evidence that the faith was correct. I am a very logical and analytical person, so something that I would base my entire worldview upon had to be factual and proven. It was evidence of Christianity that led me to place my trust in the Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ. Please allow me to share some evidence so that others may better understand the logic behind the Christian faith:

1) There is documented evidence from historians (both secular and non-secular) throughout the past 2,000 years that prove there was a man - Jesus of Nazareth - who lived on this earth and claimed to be the Son of God. Even many leading atheistic scholars do not deny that Jesus of Nazareth lived on earth and made this claim. 2) The men who followed Christ daily, known as the apostles, suffered and endured horrible and gruesome deaths on account of their preaching of Christ. This too is documented through secular and non-secular historians. These men would not have willingly endured these tragic ends if they knew that for which they were dying was a lie. 3) A university calculated the odds of a single person fulfilling 48 of the prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the Messiah. They used conservative estimates, and they estimated that the chances of one person fulfilling all of those specific prophecies in a single lifetime was 1 out of 10 to the 155th power. What is even more interesting about these prophecies is that the prophecies themselves are very intriguing. For example, David – King of Israel, prophesied that the Messiah would be pierced through his hands and feet. What is interesting about that statement was that David wrote those words almost 300 years before the Romans invented crucifixion. 4) The most important piece of evidence for the truth of Christianity is Christ’s resurrection. Even many atheistic New Testament scholars agree that Christ rose from the dead. Some have stated that if the evidence for the resurrection was placed in a court of law, the resurrection would easily be upheld. One of many pieces of evidence is the matter of literary distance from the event. In accuracy of account, timely reporting is crucial. Whereas, the first documented text about Julius Caesar was written 140 years after his death, the first documented text about Christ’s resurrection was written merely just over 20 years after His death and resurrection.

In continuation from previous post: These are just a few pieces of evidence for the Christian faith. I strongly urge you to read Lee Strobel’s “The Case for Christ.” Strobel was a staunch atheist and set out to disprove Christianity; however, in his years of research, all the data he found only proved Christianity. Lee Strobel is now a professing Christian. When I actually consider the alternative worldviews of society, I believe that Christianity is the most accurate. For example, there was a major headline today regarding the finding of a pre-historic animal that has changed the evolutionary theory of the ancestry of humankind. Based on the finding and research of one somewhat complete skeleton, it is now believed that humans did not evolve from an ape-like creature; instead, it is believed that humans and apes both evolved from this common animal. Therefore, the very basis of the theory of the origin of humankind as proposed by the evolutionary theory (and taught for decades as fact) significantly changed based on the finding of one incomplete skeleton; which could very possibly be a genetic malformation of another ape. I ask honestly and respectfully, why would I place my trust in a worldview that can so easily be significantly changed? The Christian message has not changed in 2,000 years.

In regards to the signs being displayed by the cheerleading squad, I am not surprised that the students will have to cease displaying the signs. I wish that the students could display them; however, as a public school group, if the students were allowed to produce the signs with the school’s permission, it would be in violation of the Constitution. Therefore, the school cannot allow them to display the signs. However, if the students create the signs of their own accord and display the signs at the games, the school cannot make the students give up their right of freedom of religion. Unfortunately, if the students displayed the signs in spite of the school’s decision that they should cease making the signs, the students would be rebelling against the authority placed over them, which is in contradiction to Scripture. For example, when Paul wrote to the Romans, he encouraged them to subject themselves under the Roman Empire, despite the persecution from the empire, as an example of Christ’s peace and to hopefully produce an avenue for the acceptance of the gospel. Peter echoed this claim in I Peter, written shortly after Christians were falsely accused by Nero of setting fire to Rome. Since the message of Christ has already encompassed the USA through this story, I personally believe that the cheerleading squad has an excellent opportunity to “act out” these passages from Romans and I Peter as a testimony for Christ to the United States of America. The country knows the girls’ beliefs and every attendee of the LFO football games will always know their beliefs based on this fantastic outburst of media coverage; therefore, the girls can now be a witness for Christ by demonstrating their recognition of God-ordained authority in their lives by the cessation of making the signs. This would be an entirely Biblical response to the situation.

"What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular."

In this particular school, christianity is obviously the popular thing. That doesn't make it right. Nor does it make it wrong. What is wrong is to use tax dollars to promote any ONE religious belief, whether at their ballgame, or in their school. Regardless of it's popularity.

If the "inspirational" messages had been merely inspirational, and not of a religious nature, they would have been tolerated and probably welcomed by anyone, anywhere. However, if a Hindu, a Muslim, a Jew or anyone of any other belief, or non-belief, were there, these messages exclude them and, intentionally or unintentionally, these messages promote exclusivity, and possibly ostracization, due to religious beliefs. Surely christians who hold their beliefs so near and dear to their hearts can understand how someone with differing beliefs may feel just as emotional about their own.

Instead of asking, "Why can't we display bible verses?", why not instead, create messages that include people from all walks of life, all belief or non-belief systems and create a positive atmosphere where children can learn to appreciate the differences among human beings? These children may very well be good children -- however, should they leave the small enclave of the area they live in, they will soon discover that what was popular within their town or school is not necessarily what is popular elsewhere. By teaching the children how to appreciate the differences between people and their belief systems NOW, they are far more capable of functioning well in the world when they venture forth into it.

The Constitution was written with inclusivity in mind, not exclusivity. ALL of us are created equal. The separation of church and state keeps one belief system from being state-sanctioned with tax dollars. There is good reason for this, if one looks back through history, or even at countries with state-sanctioned religious beliefs in the Mid-East today.

Most of the bible is a vile, offensive work with over a 1000 instances of cruelty and violence throughout it's putrid pages..

http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/cruelty/long.html

Portraying a single verse that seems fine all by it's lonesome, is still tainted with a god that proudly gloats of it's murder or command of murder of 34,632,209 men, women, children, babies and the unborn.

http://dwindlinginunbelief.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-many-has-god-killed-revised_04.html

It's message bring death to those who refused to bow to the big imaginary friend... or its bastard child.. led to the deaths of most of the original natives of these lands.

These words... are words to live by so many people. As you can tell by the "their way or the highway" attitudes.

Schools are for education and learning. Knowledge is power because it dispels superstition and fear.

Amen to eeeeeek and SanityPlease

Young Citizen,As a Christian I respect your beliefs even if I do not agree with them. I am not considered a "Bible thumper" and I do not attend church on a regular basis.The Constitution speaks for itself. That is why you or anyone else has a right to their opinions. But, putting down people just because of demographics is arrogant. I have traveled this country working construction and have found good,bad,arrogant,rich,and poor in every state that I have worked. And I have also seen "non-believers" on their death bed begging Jesus for another breath or to maybe stop unbearable pain. I hope you are never put in that situation.

There is a mostly silent minority WITHIN the LFO community that is glad that Catoosa County will now be following federal and constitutional law. As a teacher, when you hear students of other faiths remark, "Maybe someone understands us too," while students of the majority faith counter, "YOU don't have to come to OUR games and look at OUR signs," it speaks of a problem that goes deeper than the personal or public display of one's faith. Promoting division into US and THEM, into INSIDERS and OUTSIDERS, the signs and overly-dramatic media coverage have revealed sad facts about what values we are teaching our children. According to the media stories and statements by school officials it is more important for the majority to present a "united front" than to obey the law and to love and respect others if you are part of the majority and you don't want to do so. In fact, the more we oppress others, the prouder we should be....

Promoting the marginalization of students (and adults) of other faiths under the auspices of a government institution is exactly the sort of thing against which the establishment clause should (and theoretically does - depending on where one lives) protect. Yet, we deliberately confound the ideals of individual religious freedom, free speech, and the endorsement of religion by the state, and we are teaching our children to do so too. Even worse, now we have the media and community applauding just this sort of behavior by focusing not on the constitutionality of the issue (or even the ethics), but by undermining such messages by focusing on the source of the complaint. Not only is the establishment of religion by a state institution unconstitutional, it is unethical and hurtful, a fact that cannot be overlooked by those of us who teach students who have been relegated to the status of outsiders.

Oh believe me these cheerleaders were instructed when, where and what to write on these signs!!!

28paws - Very well put!!

Again, it's not a problem until someone makes it a problem. Yes, it is unconstitutional/illegal to post religious signs on government-funded property. But, what does it hurt? It is also illegal to possess or use marijuana. But, what does it hurt? Even though marijuana is illegal, some states like California have permitted its use for medicinal purposes. And, some northern state has a marijuana festival each year where the police just turn the other way because they are not hurting anybody. The same thing has taken place in Fort Oglethorpe for 6 years. The officials simply turned the other way because the signs didn't hurt anybody.

Now, you have some woman, who channel 3 reported tried to extort money from the county prior to this, who comes forward to make the signs a problem.

Let's just admit, "okay, we got busted." We have bigger fish to fry anyway. Move on and just let it die. Congratulations LFO High School. You got away with it for 6 years. Bush and Cheney got away with constitutional violations for 8 years. Count yourselves lucky.

Congrats Donna Jackson... You were successful in your endeavor. There was no inspirational message on the cheerleader banner. They even took your 'friendly suggestion' one step further and didn't let a student lead a prayer over the loudspeaker. I even got to see a religious banner that a parent brought get torn down the middle. I'm sure you and your god are happy now. Peace Out

Why is this Donna Jackson of Paradyne Consulting waging this war against cheerleaders? Why doesn't her company, Paradyne Consulting do something about her activities on company time. Are they involved?

Superintendent Reese and the LFO teachers should know that by ignoring their own recent past will not make their transgresions any less vile.

This incident has become baggage of your own making; live with it. "Moving on" is too often used as slang for "ignore our history."

The LFO cheerleaders are a de facto agent of the government by being a member of a schoolgroup that is authorized and regulated by a public school that receives funding from public tax dollars. The restriction to absolute free speech also protects members of the cheerleaders who don't believe in a God, that God or any God. They should be allowed to try out for membership without having to be forced to participate in something that may be aganist their religious beliefs.

"Go Team!" vs. "God says Go Team!"

"Warrior Spirit" (this year's theme) should not require dogmatic faith in a God.

No, the government won't regulate bumper stickers on roads as that is an individual expression not a goverment expression of speech. But, conversely, the government may not post religious messages on the signboards over highways, that would be a violation of the separation of church and state The court's ruling is logical and follows precedent.

The "establishment of religion" clause has become interpreted as a de facto "separation of church and state." Taken to the extreme it has come to mean that "freedom of religion" MAY also encompass "freedom from religion." I have a hard time when the government denies protection of the rights of the citizenry from zealots prosletyzing in public schools using taxes dollars to promote one narrow religious viewpoint.

"My God is better than your God" is specious to the government.

LFO and those students and their parents need to study American History and not just their Bible.

Oy vey y'all!