By: Payton M. Ishmael
In the 1960’s, the Supreme Court banned prayer in public schools. Today, the name Madalyn Murray O’Hair, founder of American Atheists, Inc. makes my blood bubble. The same sick feeling overwhelmed my being again this week when I read an article with the headline; “Students Kicked Off Campus for Wearing American Flag Tees.”
Before I get started, allow me to defend myself. The number one argument posed at people taking a stance for Christ or in favor of America is that we are not ‘cultured’ and we are not ‘open-minded.’ I’ve been sent completely around the globe to be ‘cultured.’ I’ve chosen to sit in churches outside my own denomination to learn about them. I love learning about people different than myself; those of different nationalities, religions, cultures. Just because I sometimes disagree with them, I’m not going to ridicule them or burn them at the stake. That being said, no, I do not take an offensive approach to those who live and believe differently than I do. By all means, embrace your differences.
That doesn’t mean, however, that I do not play defense. I love Jesus and I’m not intimidated one, single bit to tell anyone who asks me. I also take great pride in my country and feel a great deal of respect for the people who have and are protecting my freedoms as an American. Christianity isn’t perfect, but Christ is. Our government doesn’t always uphold the values we were founded upon, but that does not change the noble conception of this nation.
After reading the article, I learned that five high school students were sent home from school for wearing shirts with the American flag on them. I was livid. Kids get sent home from school? That’s not the worst thing that could happen, but if we allow this to pass, what’s next? If we sit back and shake our heads disapprovingly, what are we accomplishing? Benjamin Franklin once said that “Well done is better than well said.” We cannot go silently. If we’re going to see our kids, grandkids, and so forth grow up in a Patriotic America where they are not chastised for living for and loving Christ, we have to defend those values on our own. We can’t rely on state law makers in Austin nor politicians in D.C. We are responsible for being defenders of our own personal values. Take the first step, remind the leadership of Live Oak High School of the freedoms promised us.
Live Oak High School
1505 East Main Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA. 95037
In the 1960’s, the Supreme Court banned prayer in public schools. Today, the name Madalyn Murray O’Hair, founder of American Atheists, Inc. makes my blood bubble. The same sick feeling overwhelmed my being again this week when I read an article with the headline; “Students Kicked Off Campus for Wearing American Flag Tees.”
Before I get started, allow me to defend myself. The number one argument posed at people taking a stance for Christ or in favor of America is that we are not ‘cultured’ and we are not ‘open-minded.’ I’ve been sent completely around the globe to be ‘cultured.’ I’ve chosen to sit in churches outside my own denomination to learn about them. I love learning about people different than myself; those of different nationalities, religions, cultures. Just because I sometimes disagree with them, I’m not going to ridicule them or burn them at the stake. That being said, no, I do not take an offensive approach to those who live and believe differently than I do. By all means, embrace your differences.
That doesn’t mean, however, that I do not play defense. I love Jesus and I’m not intimidated one, single bit to tell anyone who asks me. I also take great pride in my country and feel a great deal of respect for the people who have and are protecting my freedoms as an American. Christianity isn’t perfect, but Christ is. Our government doesn’t always uphold the values we were founded upon, but that does not change the noble conception of this nation.
After reading the article, I learned that five high school students were sent home from school for wearing shirts with the American flag on them. I was livid. Kids get sent home from school? That’s not the worst thing that could happen, but if we allow this to pass, what’s next? If we sit back and shake our heads disapprovingly, what are we accomplishing? Benjamin Franklin once said that “Well done is better than well said.” We cannot go silently. If we’re going to see our kids, grandkids, and so forth grow up in a Patriotic America where they are not chastised for living for and loving Christ, we have to defend those values on our own. We can’t rely on state law makers in Austin nor politicians in D.C. We are responsible for being defenders of our own personal values. Take the first step, remind the leadership of Live Oak High School of the freedoms promised us.
Live Oak High School
1505 East Main Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA. 95037
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