I'm guessing that if Dabo Sweeney were a member of the Church of Satan and had group meetings for the team people would be going nuts, and I doubt many now using the whole "freedom of religion" arguments would be doing so to defend him.

The country was founded on Christianity. If anyone doesn't like that, there are planes and boats leaving everyday.

The country was founded on Christianity. If anyone doesn't like that, there are planes and boats leaving everyday.

 

No, this country was founded on the freedom to worship however you choose — whatever your flavor — and there have been boats arriving every day since. Those early colonist just happened to be mostly Christians, but there were Jews and others here from the beginning. Your attitude is a perfect example of what frightens me about the Christian right.

No, this country was founded on the freedom to worship however you choose .

 

So what is your problem with the Clemson coach doing this with his players? It's what he chooses and apparently some of his players do too.

I have never been forced to church, attend FCA meetings, nor have I ever been forced to pray. So much for Christians being the big bad wolf.

So what is your problem with the Clemson coach doing this with his players? It's what he chooses and apparently some of his players do too.

I have never been forced to church, attend FCA meetings, nor have I ever been forced to pray. So much for Christians being the big bad wolf.

 

I'd have no problem if it was legal. He is putting his values above the school's. Ultimately the school gets punished not him. Nobody said Christians are "Big Bad Wolf's". I understand many don't like it, then get the the First Amendment of the Constitution changed.

 

The easiest solution under the current laws is have a moment of silence and reflection. You can pray all you want then or think about the first ten plays.

So what is your problem with the Clemson coach doing this with his players? It's what he chooses and apparently some of his players do too.

I have never been forced to church, attend FCA meetings, nor have I ever been forced to pray. So much for Christians being the big bad wolf.

 

Because I grew up Catholic in a small town in Kentucky. I know all to well how it feels to be excluded from things and being seen as the outsider because of this by those who claim to be exercising their "religious freedom" from the standpoint of "you are free to practice whatever religion you choose, as long as it's ours."

The country was founded on Christianity. If anyone doesn't like that, there are planes and boats leaving everyday.

 

Founded on Christianity or religious freedom though? Plenty of different sects with groups like the Quakers in Pennsylvania, etc. Lots of scholars also like to point out that some of the Founding Fathers had rather agnostic views as well.

 

I'm not saying that I think any coach should be able to be open about their religion, or that I really care what religion Sweeney is promoting.

 

I'm just saying that I think there'd be lots more people upset if Sweeney were a member of the Church of Satan. If he were a member of the Church of Satan, the stigma of that probably would be so much that he wouldn't even have been hired to the job in the first place.

 

It is what it is. I just have a hard time seeing Christians as being "bullied" in the same way that I see other religions being treated. I'm not saying Christians aren't discriminated against, just that compared to what some groups go through, it's a walk in the park.

"In God We Trust" is printed both literally and figuratively on everything this country prints. Doesn't sound like the Church of Satan to me.

"In God We Trust" is printed both literally and figuratively on everything this country prints. Doesn't sound like the Church of Satan to me.

 

That may well be true. However, freedom of religion means that no religion is given preference over any other religion in the eyes of government. It doesn't matter which god you worship or how you worship them. Christianity deserves, and is not to be afforded, any preferential treatment over any other religion in this country. THAT is what this country is founded on.

The country was founded on Christianity. If anyone doesn't like that, there are planes and boats leaving everyday.

 

That's a little harsh isn't it. Considering many of those who helped found this country did so to escape religious persecution. A little over 25% of this country identifies themselves as non Christian.....1 out of every 4. Should they all book a plane and go because their views on religion don't jive with ours? Especially since your religious views basically depend mostly on who your parents are, not necessarily whether you were born here or not.

"In God We Trust" is printed both literally and figuratively on everything this country prints. Doesn't sound like the Church of Satan to me.

 

The CONSTITUTION protects ones right to practice any religion one chooses. You know...that document that you cite when talking about gun rights?

Why, because it's easy to attack Christians, after all we force religion on others and won't play kids if they don't pray. Plus we blow up planes, have suicide bombers, wait that's another group.

 

Well this pretty much answers the question about what would happen if Sweeney were Muslim...

I'd like to think Sweeney is encouraging players of other faiths to grow in their spiritual walk as well. If he's providing this for christians, he should be doing the same for muslims, jews, buddhists, deists, etc. And sure this is probably not happening. Many great points have been brought up in this thread. It's always good to see healthy debate and an exchange of ideas and perspectives. This country needs more of it!

 

Unless it's a glom of new religion, cue Bob Marley's " One Love. " Sweeney has opened himself up to ridicule and I'm ok with it. I think it will promote players from other faiths to have small groups as well. Ideally the team gets together and discusses the similarities and differences in their faiths to better understand and learn more about one another and their backgrounds. This is healthy and can only result in building team unity and a better relationship with God, Spirit, Allah, insert spiritual leader name____________.

 

Let's not forget man created religion to divide. God created a relationship to unite! :thumb:

 

I'd recommend Sweeney introduce this book to his teams fold:

 

All Men Are Brothers (Paperback): Mohandas K. Gandhi: 9788170289647: Amazon.com: Books

Because I grew up Catholic in a small town in Kentucky. I know all to well how it feels to be excluded from things and being seen as the outsider because of this by those who claim to be exercising their "religious freedom" from the standpoint of "you are free to practice whatever religion you choose, as long as it's ours."

 

It is sad when different tenants of Christianity react like that to each other. Not long after my wife and I married we were transferred to Central Ohio. Being a protestant in some Ohio cities isn't all fun and giggles either.

Sorry, I'm going to have to disagree in the strongest possible terms on this one. No Freakin' Way.

 

Maybe I am in the minority, I don't know, but if I had a son that went to play basketball for, say a Jewish coach, I would fully expect that coach to show and express his religion, invite kids to go to service or meetings of some sort, if they wanted to go, etc. And I would have no problem with it. The problem only comes when it is used to "punish" those that don't attend. And personally I would think most coaches are above that.

 

I would also have no problem sending my son to play ball for a non-Christian, all things being equal, if that man was a good coach and a good person.

Because I grew up Catholic in a small town in Kentucky. I know all to well how it feels to be excluded from things and being seen as the outsider because of this by those who claim to be exercising their "religious freedom" from the standpoint of "you are free to practice whatever religion you choose, as long as it's ours."

 

So who is being excluded, everyone is invited and its not a mandatory thing. Its there for the players to use and if they dont want to then fine. I doubt he figures out a starting lineup based on attendance. I doubt some college football player really cares if his team mate shows up or not for a religious service. You all act like its some type of cult or players being punished for not being Christians.