Samuel Thompson wrote: "I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December."

Jimearl: We don't pray to Santa, at least in my house. Santa is just as real as any God.

Sam: I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory of evolution.

Jimearl: Did you forget the "Scopes Trial", or the many lawsuits against evolution being taught in schools?

Sam: Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game.

Jimearl: Neither will anything happen if we don't pray, right? So, what's the point? I could see your point if prayers helped, but they don't.

Sam: So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game. "But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue.

Jimearl: And it's illegal, if that matters. Not to mention all the players who suffer live-altering injuries regardless of the prayers. Invisible gods are powerless!!

Sam: Yes, this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. And we are in the Bible Belt. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect-somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

Jimearl:Just show me one Christian reference in the founding documents, that is all I need. And with 200 to 1 odds, seems to me like we would see some good from all those prayers.

Sam: If I went to a football game in Jerusalem , I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

Jimearl: So what, their "God" doesn't answer prayer either.

Sam: If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

Jimearl: Perhaps you didn't know there is a war going on in Baghdad,
and if you were there you had better have more than a prayer to help you. Converting to Islam might not be such a bad idea.

Sam: If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

Jimearl: You are correct, ignorance is worldwide.

Sam: And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome...

Jimearl: So you believe their "God" is equal to yours?

Sam: "But what about the atheists?" is another argument.

Jimearl: What about them? Nobody cares about the atheists, as evidenced by this letter.

Sam: Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of earplugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand.. Call your lawyer. Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Jimearl: A football game is no place for prayer, it's a sporting event, not prayer meeting. Not only will it not shake foundations, it won't make any difference at all, one way or the other. You know where you can pray and not be bothered, church. We don't come into your churches and think, so don't come
to public places and pray.

Sam: Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us just to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying. God, help us.

Jimearl: I'm sure if there was a God, he would have helped you by now. Sorry.
And if your Bible tells you to pray without ceasing, why are you stopping. Pray
at home or church 100% of the time. But when your are in public, do as I would
and respect others right to be left alone by religious zeolots.

Sam: And if that last sentence offends you, well...just sue me.

Jimearl: You can't sue someone for being ignorant.

Sam: The silent majority has been silent too long... it's time we let that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard, that the vast majority don't care what they want...it is time the majority rules! It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray, you don't have to say the pledge of allegiance, you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right.. but by golly you are no longer going to take our rights away we are fighting back....and we WILL WIN! After all, the God you have the right to denounce is on our side!

Jimearl: Silent majority?? Silent majority?? Your silence is deafening. Why don't you let your "God" handle the problem or did that ever occur to you? With him being all powerful and stuff, why do you think he needs your puny help.

Sam: God bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him...

Jimearl: We don't denounce him, we simply don't believe he exists.

Sam: God bless America, despite all her faults, still the greatest nation of all...

Jimearl: America IS great, whether God exists or not.

Sam: God bless our servicemen who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God...

Jimearl: Give me a break. Our servicemen are fighting for the right to control Iraq's oil, nothing more.

Sam: May "2004'"be the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions.

Jimearl: 2004 is over. Better luck in 2006. It's almost too late, but by all means continue to pray......nothing fails like prayer.

Sam: Keep looking up... In God WE Trust.

Jimearl: Yeah,But which one?

Sam: If you agree with this, please pass it on. If not, delete it!!

Jimearl: I choose to correct it, then pass it on!