[chipmunksyndrome]

I do not understand. Atheist have to believe in something or they wouldn't be hating on it. It is scary to think this reached a group of non-believers in Wisconsin??? I am very proud of Bell Co students to request to have prayer. They should not have to, it should be a given. Somebody in this county does this??? Why don't you stand up and give your opinion openly? No, you pick some radical group to do it for you. Christians have rights and according to our Constitution, we are protected by freedom to practice religion. I guarantee is someone wanted to have a prayer rug, and worship Mohammed, not one word would be said. We need prayer and I am honored that students stand up for their right to do so. Middlesboro needs to follow suit. I would love to know the people here that are causing this ruckus. I wasn't a bit surprised when the complaint showed up in the paper. Crazy world and someone is offended everyday by something.

As an atheist, let me address this a bit. I don't care whether or not people want to pray at a football game. In fact, I encourage people to. If you hold that belief, then practice it. As long as you're not forcing me to practice your religion, which last time I checked nobody was holding a gun to my head telling me to say ten Hail-Marys, then by all means, practice away. I don't have to pray. I don't have to bow my head. At the same time, I'm not going to belittle others because they want to. That's the stance of the vast majority of rational atheists. The only caveat I have for you is that other religions and belief systems have to have the same right and freedom to practice as you and me.

The problem you seem to be having is with the atheist version of the Westboro Baptist Church. For those of us who just want to live and let live, they're a blight on the face of what we believe. I have the same problem with them. Honestly, the problem permeates all lifestyles and religions. People tend to crucify others for having different beliefs and values than we do because we're terrified of what is different and unknown. In nearly every walk of life you can find someone who fits that description. It's an area each of us can strive to improve. We all need to lead by example.