Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

November 2015 – Rankin County, Mississippi, School District’s trouble began in 2013, when a lawsuit was filed because of a series of Christian meetings on Brandon High School property. Next, in July 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Carlton Reeves ruled against the school because a Christian minister prayed at an awards ceremony. A fine was issued, and a warning was delivered that any future violation, including prayers and religious sermons at school events, could result in a $10,000 fine.

A month after the July ruling, Rankin County School District officials learned that Brandon High School’s marching band planned to perform the hymn “How Great Thou Art” during their half-time show, and the Bulldogs band was benched by the district.

WREG-TV in Memphis reported that students had learned the song at a pre-season band camp after the court order was received.

The restraint struck a chord among fans. Social media lit up, and area residents gathered in coffee shops and garages to devise a plan of action. During the half-time, a faint hum turned into a loud expression of praise as the words from the hymn rang out in unison from the bleachers.

“Oh what a sight it must have been as hundreds and hundreds of people stood together and with one voice sent a message to Judge Reeves,” said Todd Starnes, host of Fox News and Commentary. “It’s going to take a concerted effort by churches across America standing together and telling these judges and telling our elected officials that we are not going to tolerate this kind of abuse of our constitutional rights.”

onenewsnow.com, 8/24/15; wreg.com, 8/21/15