Some judges in America -- whether pressured by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) or not -- just lack commonsense. Such is the case with a federal judge, U.S. District Court Judge Margaret C. Rodgers, who was actually appointed by a Republican president.
The case involves a northern Florida school principal and an athletic director who are facing criminal charges and up to six months in jail over their offer of a mealtime prayer according in the "The Washington Times" (August 14, 2009.) Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and the school athletic director, Robert Freeman, who go on trial on September 17th of course have the support of the local community.
Persecution against Christians in America has reached such a point that a federal judge is actually threatening educators who just wanted to pray at a school event with up to six months in jail; a fine of $5,000 and loss of some 40 years of retirement benefits in the case of one of these men. The Founders of this nation would be appalled at the lack of religious freedom in the country they began over a couple centuries ago.
The ACLU brought charges before Judge Rodgers against these two Christians for having the audacity to pray at a school event. Judge Rodgers then actually issued a contempt order against Mr. Lay and Mr. Freeman. Thankfully, the community in Santa Rosa County, Florida, is giving full support to these persecuted Christians including establishing a legal defense fund for the defendants.
Judge Margaret Rodgers also is forcing a third Christian to trial named Michelle Winkler, a clerical assistant who was attending a school district event last February with other school employees at a local naval base. According to the "Times" report, Mrs. Winkler asked her husband to offer a blessing for a meal.
The ACLU not only got bent out of shape because of this prayer blessing, but the ACLU said that students actually had to say the Pledge of Allegiance (with the words "Under God" at the same event.) Mrs. Winkler's trial is scheduled for August 21st and could result in a fine.
Earlier this year, the Santa Rosa County school district, in an agreement with the ACLU, actually forbade senior class President Mary Allen from speaking at the school's May 30 graduation ceremony on the chance that the young woman, a known Christian, might say something religious. According to the "Times" last Friday, she was the first student body president in 33 years not allowed to speak.
It is time for the likes of the ACLU and especially government employees, such as Judge Margaret Rodgers, to stop harassing Christians in America and to stop driving God out of the public square.
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