Football, prayer and the National Anthem

Football, prayer and the National Anthem

- Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com

 

The First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." On March 15, 1982, President Ronald Reagan said, "The first amendment was not written to protect the American people from religion; the first amendment was written to protect the American people from government tyranny." On September 25, 1982, Reagan said, "To prevent those who believe in God from expressing their faith is an outrage...The relentless drive to eliminate God from our schools...should be stopped."

As we begin football season, there are two issues that will undoubtedly rise to the top. Prayer and the National Anthem. The Supreme Court, wrongly in my opinion, ruled in June 2000 that public schools cannot allow student-led prayer over the public address system before high school football games. Protests during the National Anthem will also be an issue that will cause many to abandon their watching of football games. A recent NBC poll indicates that 54% of Americans oppose protests during the National Anthem. But the divide is even deeper between Republicans and Democrats. Some 88% of Republicans oppose taking a knee during the Anthem, while 72% of Democrats approve of the protests.

I coached basketball and football for over 40 years. Prior to our first game of the season, either myself or someone on my coaching staff would discuss the Anthem and the historic reason of why it is important to stand. I never had an athlete not stand for the Anthem. But we never forced them to stand. Also, whatever team I coached, either myself, another coach, a parent, or an athlete led prayer before the game and after the game. We even prayed during the game (for sure!). My former athletes often tell me about how our coaching and dedication to the Lord changed them at critical points. In training college and pro football athletes, there is no doubt that faith, prayer, and love of country are integral to most of their lives.

First Amendment freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion is for anywhere, anytime and anybody. Judges who rule against the plain language of the First Amendment should be removed from office. Also, when people understand the gravity of the Anthem, they are more likely to stand. Hear me out-I believe people should stand, but if they are forced to stand, they are still sitting in their hearts. Notwithstanding, companies have a right to enforce their policies, and if you want to keep your job, you comply. But I love the example of when the Sadducees in Acts banned Peter and the apostles from teaching in the name of Jesus, "Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." God is a God of freedom. As we accept his liberty, we should obey God's precepts-not man's.