There are some certainties in life. To quote a famous Fox savant, the tides go in; the tides go out. And whenever Fox News' "fundamentalist barking dog" and gay pride parade voyeur, Todd Starnes, posts an article, about persecuted Christian and evil atheists, it inevitably makes its way to Fox Nation and Fox & Friends - a show that never wastes an opportunity to showcase those persecuted Christians who bravely endure those evil, secular slings and arrows of outrageous atheists. This morning, Jesus' BFF's on the curvy couch brought us the newest, at least according to Starnes, outrage about how Jesus' enemies are trying to silence public prayer, at public school football games, in Jesus loving, homo hating Mississippi. As always, Jesus (who did have a problem with those who pray publicly) must be weeping! As always, while the segment was heavy on Jesus, it was light on facts which, I guess, makes Jesus happy? And given that Brian Kilmeade wants Christians to disobey the law, I guess Jesus is jumping for joy?!
"Melting Crisco sculpture" (love Gawker) Gretchen Carlson reported the backstory about prayer being "sidelined" in Mississippi by - wait for it - an atheist group. She explained that the Freedom From Religion Foundation is "threatening to sue" more than 100 Mississippi public schools if any kind of prayer is played, over the speakers, at footballs games because they contend it is illegal. The chyron framed the message about the evil atheists: "Gridiron Prayer Silenced, Atheist Group Threatens Suit In Mississippi." Gretchen's voice was full of Christian pride when she introduced her guest who "is fighting back" and "urging his fellow Christians to keep praying."
Jesus BFF Gretch was smiling reverentially and demurely as Brain (whoops Brian) Kilmeade introduced Pastor Jim Burnett of Willow PointeChurch in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. To Kilmeade's question of "how did it get to this," Burnett drawled about a Supreme Court decision, "some time ago," that is behind this group that's harassing school leaders who allow the prayers over the intercom. As the chyron read "Pigskin Prayer Prohibited , Group Asks Schools To Stop Game Day Prayer." Instead of following up on the court thingie, Kilmeade asked about the value of the prayer. Burnett, as expected, said that prayer is very valuable because it's "talking to God." (Who, I guess, has a stake in football games. Who Knew!) The chyron reinforced the evil atheist vs. good Christian meme: "Faith Off the Field, Atheist Group, Illegal To Pray at Games." Burnett cited freedom of speech and talked about the disintegration of morals (Uh, like what went on in Mississippi not that long ago?) cause us "to need God more than ever." He thinks it's "troubling" that the FFRF "is threatening people who are calling on God." In a spectacularly ironic statement he noted that "private prayer" is our best weapon. (Scuse me, this situation is all about blaring Christian prayer over loudspeakers!!!!!)
Gretch asked if she could pose the "seemingly logical question" about why those in Wisconsin care about Mississippi. Burnett cited "an agenda" as the chyron read "Gospel & The Gridiron, Pastors Organize Prayer at Football Game." While Burnett acknowledged that laws must be followed, he urged Christians to stand up for their rights because they are "the standard bearers of Christ." After he urged Christians to speak out, Gretchen said "it's a fine line because if you don't speak out," people forget about the issue.
Gretch must have felt better when Burnett said that the kids can still pray on the sideline because the issue is prayer over the intercom. Jesus BFF Kilmeade said that the schools should "just do it anyway" and "call them out." After Kilmeade read the FFRF statement, about the illegality of school sponsored prayer, Gretch commented that the reason schools can't offer public prayer is because of the threat of lawsuits. Burnett said "that fear tactic is disturbing" because God isn't the enemy but our creator and "we need to be bringing him into our personal life."
Hey Gretch. The reason why the FFRF is concerned about this stuff is because it's clearly unconstitutional. But as your show is a pathetic attempt to push a certain kind of Christianity, I guess you can't get into those pesky details which includes the fact that the FRFF has received "complaints from students and parents across Mississippi about prayer at school-sponsored events, particularly football games and other athletic activities."
Brian, nice to know that you want school systems to disobey the law. But here's a question. If, at a public school football game, in your Long Island neighborhood, the speaker system blared out the Muslim call to prayer, you'd be OK with that? Just saying...