Christianity is alive and well in Jesus' very own USA. But to hear those on Fox News, you'd think that it is constantly under assault by the satanic forces of secularism, atheism, and the "gay agenda." And nobody knows more about this constant persecution than Fox's resident Jesus lover and homo hater, Todd Starnes, who is constantly on the look-out for examples of these egregious assaults. His latest little screed involves football players, at the taxpayer funded Arkansas State University, who were "forced" to remove Christian cross decals which were affixed on their helmets as a tribute to deceased members of the team. The school ordered the removal of the crosses on the advice of legal counsel who saw them as a 1st Amendment violation. But for the Fox News church of the perpetually persecuted Christians, it's just another example of the - drum roll please - "Fight for Faith."
Saturday, the patented "Fight for Faith" segment began with Jesus BFF Anna Kooiman who reported the backstory of these crosses that were meant to honor deceased teammates. (A former player who was shot and equipment manager who died in a traffic accident) The chyron framed the propaganda message: "Faith Under Fire, ASU Forced To Remove Cross From Helmet." Visuals of the helmets, with crosses, were shown. She introduced her guests, the mother of the deceased football player and a current ASU football player. Kooiman described "decals" on helmets as a common practice and asked how the mother of the deceased player felt when the players were told to remove the crosses. Mechelle Weyer cried as she spoke of how honored she was when she saw the crosses.
Kooiman explained that this action was taken after two complaints were filed. As she spoke, the chyron established, as Fox Fact that "Religious Rights Attacked, Complaint Said Crosses Violated Constitution." She asked the football player what he thought about the decision. He said that although it was out of the team's control, they were disappointed because they are "a Christian football team" and fallen soldiers are "always" represented by a cross. (Uh, not if the fallen aren't Christian) Kooiman whispered "yeah" as he spoke. He said that it wasn't really "a Christian based thing." (So, uh, what's the big deal?) Kooiman validated him with "it wasn't the actual players who were feeling offended by all this." The chyron reinforced Fox's message that 1st Amendment violations are fine if those doing the violating support it: "Team of Support, Players and Coaches Stand Behind Use of Cross."
In concluding she said that she "was glad we could share your story of the cross [she whispered] and show the initials both together." The closing chyron,"Offensive Message? Team Removed Cross After Receiving Complaint," conveyed the message that those who complained were "offended" by Christianity. The reality is that the complaints were based on the concernt that the crosses were an Establishment violation in that they represented a state endorsement of a religion - in this case, Christianity.
What you didn't learn from Fox & Friends: The players could honor their deceased teammates by donning a black armband or using the player's number and equipment manager's name on the helmets.
Ain't no party like a persecuted Christian party and Fox & Friends knows how to bring it!