Prayer revival at Somerset high School stirring controversy

@Apotheosis - none of your views is consistent with what Jesus taught, presuming you read His words in the New Testament. I do agree with one thing you said,"This is a Christian nation under assault by the forces of the devil."

Really?....Jozannah....this is a controversy?...filed between who gives a dam and maybe they should do their revivals at their local church there's not much controversy.

It's obvious why churches focus on youth - their need for security, belonging, and guidance make them especially vulnerable to brainwashing. I'm a Christian, but I'm not an evangelical. I don't believe in the Rapture. I don't believe that non-Christians are going to hell. And I'm happy to have that debate in an open forum where we can have a open, honest, civil discussion. But that's not happening at Somerset HS. They're essentially holding a religious service just prior to school using peer pressure as a means of proselytizing. They're linking the school's identity with a particular religion. If you're not part of their religion then you're not part of their group. If you're not part of the group then you're not part of the community. If you're not part of the community, you shouldn't be there. If you shouldn't be there, then there's something wrong with you and you need to be pushed out. See where this is going?? It starts with let's pray in school and it ends with this is a Christian nation under assault by the forces of the Devil.

These students should be praised for trying to keep the Devil and his people out of the schools. It is God who has given us the right to pray to Him. These youth will be exalted in Heaven and on Earth for their virtue. It is the Devil and his people who oppose prayer. They should all be rounded up and taken to the jailhouse.

The law is clear. Students may pray, study the Bible, and express their sincerely held religious beliefs, as long as it is: 1. Student initiated and student led, 2. not interfering with the rights of others, 3. not disrupting the educational or instructional time. Since this is held outside the scheduled class time, it is legal. And really, wouldn't you rather have students praying for eatch other than preying upon each other?

I don't feel sorry for you donoho unlike you for me. Christian views have never been in doubt, even my lack "faith" and adhering to a humanistic outlook on life never entered in the discussion. The only issue, as reported originally, with this "revival", is the fact that it is taking place on school grounds, school is not a public place as it is funded and subsidized by all levels of government, and last, but not least, separation of church and State.(I don't think Somerset is a private school). Don't be overly outraged. I know that if my views had been stated in the XVIth century, I would have been burned at the stake. The US is an overly christian people and unfortunetely, christians then and now have never demonstrated tolerance towards non-believers. This 3 day marathon on this subject is proving my point. Thank you for not praying for me.

Well, @bonjour, I’m only 63, but I’ve also lived internationally, been abused sexually and physically, and never doubted the existence of God. I never blamed religion for the acts of individuals, regardless of the garb they wore. You are as guilty of bigotry as the religious groups you hate, if you think that the behavior of individuals is a reflection of the beliefs of all, or a reflection of the teachings of their faith. They represent a human adoration, not the religion they profess. I wish you well, and I feel sorry for you, but I won’t pray for you…I might get you!

Here is my question to most of you commenting....Do any of YOUR children even go to Somerset? Mine does....i have a Freshman and a 7th grader. Does my freshman have a problem with it? absolutley not. Does he participate? No he does not. But more recently has thought he might. He knows most of the kids that are participating. They are good kids. They are not hurting anything. they are not taking away from class time...alot of these kids have asked there parents to drive them to school so they can get there early to participate. I ask what harm is being done? If someone feels uncomfortable around it, there are other places on campus to hang out. Parents need to wake up and smell the coffee. We have too many parents that jump and report everything that thier kids tell them makes them uncomfortable....guess what guys? Life as an adult is 90 % UNCOMFORTABLE. We need to teach our children tolerance and patience and what to do when something makes you uncomfortable. Its not a large school. We are a family here. Most of us have known the kids in class with our kids since kindergarten. We sometimes give in to much to our children. For example at homecoming our "nerd day" was changed to "wacky day" becuase a parent said that there child thought it was offensive....Come on people! grow up. Raise your kids and teach them tolerance for others beliefs...patience for things you cant control...love of all people.

Kids, concentrate on school work. Go to church and do not mix your beliefs with the real purpose of a secular establishment, subsidized by tax payers, christians and non christians.

i think that is is a great & brave thing that these kids are not ashamed of God. They are on the right path & know who there God is. No reason to argue & fight over, for those who believe let them believe & for those who dont, no one is forcing you to, all you have to do is walk away. I think that whoever thinks that Mario & the other students are doing this for the wrong reasons & for those who believe that they should just stick to their closets & churches & pray are wrong, the Bible does say go forth & make disciples & to share the good news. I dont believe any disciples can be made in the closet, they are simply sharing the love of Christ & wanting to share the goodness with others, passing hope, peace, & love. They are not forcing it on anyone, for anyone that does not want to hear, they simply just have to walk away. We are not supposed to be ashamed to speak the name of Our God, why not share such an awesome gift with others, it would just be selfish of us to know such greatness & to not share. I dont think that anything at all is being done wrong, these brave kids are just sharing the good news, I dont understand how it can offend people. why would they not want goodness & mercy in their kids schools, it is really sad that they can accept violence, drugs, & gangs more than they can accept love, goodness & hope. No harm is being done, & no one is forced anything. Freedom of speech is the main thing here. God is the only hope, if we continue on this path & take him out of our schools, lives & government, then we also take the protection away from our children, then thats when you see more violence, students killing & hurting eachother, & not understanding why, its because we asked God to step aside & stay out of our schools, which is something I am not willing to do, we need God now more than ever. Good Job guys, keep up the good work.