I'm not sure if Jody McLeod is real, or if this actually happened, but it really doesn't matter. The sentiment is true. I'm glad to add this to my blog, even though it is also posted on hundreds of other sites on the web. Oh, that this was plastered as wallpaper in the halls of congress.---------
This is a statement that was read over the PA s system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee , by school Principal, Jody McLeod
"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."
Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK.
I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK..
I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable! Means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem...
I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology."
I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment."
However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.
This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.
Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.
For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.
"However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."
One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.
They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!
The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD."
Somehow, Kingston , Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise! GOD that HIS remnant remains!
JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER."
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSnopes.com says this actually happened, I'm so proud of Mr. McLoud. This is what they say...Borrowing heavily from the Rev. Joe Wright, Principal Jody MdLoud delivered this speech before a Roane County High School football game on 1 Sept. 2000. Mr. Mcloud, who had been principal of the 740-student school for eleven years at the time, was protesting the prohibition against leading prayers “on school property, at school-sponsored events over the school’s public address system, ba a speaker representing the student body, under the supervision of school faculty,” which was brought about when the United States Supreme Court upheld the ruling in Santa Fe independent School District v. Doe that such activity violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Principal McLoud’s speech was also read into the Congressional Record on 20 Sept. 2000 by Representative Zach Wamp of Tennessee.
ReplyDeleteI was searching for this speech to give someone and came across your site. I am pleased to say that Jody certainly is a real person and I am proud to say that I graduated with him from Roane County High School. As a long time resident of Kingston, Tennessee I can verify that this event did indeed happen and Jody was widely supported by his community.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Jane-Ann (Boles) Hoskins
This happened in 2007. I went onto the schools website and he is no longer on staff. Any idea where he went? We need more people out there like him. That school was blessed to have a person like that, a person who really cared about the students. I only hope the new principle can at least come close to filling his shoes.
ReplyDeleteHe is a real man. And he did do this. He is no longer part of the staff he is however part of the school board.
ReplyDeleteI was blessed to read that someone would put his career on the line to stand up for the Lord. What a faithful man. I can only pray that more schools would have such a man to represent them. Every knee shall bow!
ReplyDeleteI also graduated with Jody in 1972 from Roane County High School. He is a real person. This event happened in September 2000. He is presently a member of the Kingston School Board in Kingston, TN.
ReplyDeleteHe is real. He is my uncle. He is a great man and stands by everything he said that night. I am very proud to call him my uncle!
ReplyDeleteMatthew Chapter 6 verses 5 & 6
ReplyDelete“Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward.
But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you."
It is not a principal's place to be imposing his personal beliefs on homosexuality, abortion, or the ecology. I trust he was canned immediately. If not, shame on the school.
TCA: Hmmmm? So, this comment of yours is not exactly in secret. Does this Scripture you quote apply to you? Or have you missed Jesus' point entirely. Is the principal in the same category with hypocritical pharisees? You see a need to "preach" in public by quoting Scripture to this public forum. If you are right you have no right to speak opening about what you believe is good for the community... as you have just done. The principal, who is charged with training young people to be leaders in a public community, wants them to do what is good for all, not cater to immoral aberration... as you suggest is right but do not do yourself. You call the principal immoral. You want him canned. So, in summary, you are tolerant of evil, and want good people to tolerate it as well. Even if it is immoral.
ReplyDelete