'Auburn needs to shut down the prayer'

[The Six]

A Wisconsin-based secular group announced Tuesday that it is fighting the religious culture in Auburn University’s football program.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) said in a press release that it sent Auburn an open records request in 2014, asking for information related to football chaplain Chette Williams.
The church-and-state watchdog decided to continue its efforts “to stop the unconstitutionally excessive piety in Auburn University’s football program” after a video surfaced of Williams leading the team in prayer before Auburn’s Homecoming game against Southern Mississippi on Sept. 29.

The AL.com video shows the team standing, arms linked in a circle on Pat Dye Field. Williams prays out loud before two of the football players take turns praying aloud as well.
“We pray for each family represented in this circle, Father,” Williams said in the video. “We pray for those who are traveling to the game, but most of all Father, we pray that your power and presence be with this team today.”
The FFRF shared a letter to Auburn University President Steven Leath, dated Monday, in which legal fellow Christopher Line stated that multiple people complained to the organization about the prayer when the video was published.
“We’d like to remind AU that employing a chaplain and giving him unfettered access to a captive audience of football players is unconstitutional,” the letter read. “While student athletes are free to pray, either individually or as (a) group, university staff members should not be leading, participating in, or encouraging students to engage in religious exercises, or hiring ‘chaplains’ to do so.”
According to a statement from the university to the Opelika-Auburn News on Tuesday night, “The football team chaplain isn’t an Auburn employee, and participation in activities he leads are voluntary.”

The letter from the FFRF references its 2014 open records request, saying the organization exchanged emails with a then-assistant athletic director, Cassie Arner, and submitted a $500 deposit, then never received the documents it requested from the university.
The letter also again requested documents including records of the chaplain’s travel with the football team and communication between the chaplain and football staff regarding Bible studies or other religious activities for the team.
“Auburn needs to shut down the prayer and chaplaincy that it has permitted for so long in its football program,” FFRF co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor said in a press release from the foundation. “By allowing it to continue, it is giving its official seal of approval to Christian proselytizing that is not only unconstitutional but also alienating to non-Christian and nonreligious athletes. No student should be expected to pray to play.”

https://www.oanow.com/news/auburnuniversity/group-says-faith-football-don-t-mix-auburn-needs-to/article_9e3ea19c-d73c-11e8-8f1c-eb26a20977a1.html

[Godfather]

[GH2001]

I don’t believe anyone at Auburn is making any athlete partake in this. That’s the difference. At that point it’s just individuals coming together collectively to do their thing - aka free speech. 

[The Six]

I don’t believe anyone at Auburn is making any athlete partake in this. That’s the difference. At that point it’s just individuals coming together collectively to do their thing - aka free speech.

Free speech only exists for certain, acceptable types of speech. 

[Kaos]

Please inform Mz Gaylor and Mz Line that I’m removing them from the prayer list. 

[GH2001]

Free speech only exists for certain, acceptable types of speech.

They are not threatening bodily harm. Nor is it hate speech. 

[The Six]

Please inform Mz Gaylor and Mz Line that I’m removing them from the prayer list.

Zhe and Zher appreciate it. 

[CCTAU]

We went through this several years ago. I don't think Chette is employed by the state or the university.

[Godfather]

They are not threatening bodily harm. Nor is it hate speech.

Hate speech isn't illegal either.

[Buzz Killington]

Hate speech isn't illegal either.

In fact, it's actually encouraged if it's Hate Trump speech.

[GH2001]

Hate speech isn't illegal either.

You’re correct but it’s controversial and gives groups like these ammo. 

[Snaggletiger]

According to a statement from the university to the Opelika-Auburn News on Tuesday night, “The football team chaplain isn’t an Auburn employee, and participation in activities he leads are voluntary.”


That line says it all.  Plus, I don't see how a Wisconsin based group has any standing to bring a case against a State run University in Alabama.  That question is for a lot better legal minds than I have in my cranium. 

[Saniflush]

That line says it all.  Plus, I don't see how a Wisconsin based group has any standing to bring a case against a State run University in Alabama.  That question is for a lot better legal minds than I have in my cranium.

Dude, it's Wisconsin.  They ain't got shit else to do 8 months of the year

[Snaggletiger]

Dude, it's Wisconsin.  They ain't got shit else to do 8 months of the year

Well, they do drink an ass load of beer up there.

[Buzz Killington]

Well, they do drink an ass load of beer up there.

And they make and wear those cheese hats.

[Snaggletiger]

And they make and wear those cheese hats.

Drinking beer and wearing cheese hats? And Sani said there's nothing to do in Wisconsin.  Pffffft...