“Nearer, My God, to Thee”, Sarah Adams, 1841. Music: Lowell Mason, 1856 was what Americans used to be able to sing anywhere, in any public building, school, or High School sports event. It is no longer the case in Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School in Georgia.

Government officials decided that fifty feet away was near enough to a public school football game.  The banned banners have been present since a group of cheerleaders began the practice after Sept. 11, 2001.

Hundreds voiced their objection in a rally at the school in support for the cheerleaders and the community.  The question is whether pastors will step out from behind the pulpit and face the reality that they do not have the moral right to allow the moms in their congregations to lead the fight for religious freedom.

One needs to ask if pastors are more concerned about loosing contributions from members who support taking God out of government than they are about the children in the congregation who will be subjected to a godless society that will reject their faith and discriminate against them at every turn. Suffering for the sake of your faith is a noble purpose. Can the pastors do the same now?