Tennessee School Principal Jody McLoud SPEAKS OUT

Tennessee High School Principal's Remarks About Prayer at a Football Game-Truth!

Summary of eRumor:

This email is about Jody McCloud who is principal at the Roane County High School in Kingston, Tennessee.

In September, 2000, he opened a football game by saying that normally there would have been a prayer, but a Supreme Court decision had ended that...so he read a statement commenting on that and inviting people to pray anyway.

The Truth:
The story is true. TruthOrFiction.com has confirmed both the event and the text of McCloud's statement. McCloud has gotten response and requests for copies from all over the country.

A real example of the story as it has been circulated:


"This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee by school Principal Jody McLoud, on September 1, 2000.

I thought it was worth sharing with the world, and hope you will forward it to all your friends. It clearly shows just how far this country has gone in the wrong direction.


"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games to say a prayer and play the National Anthem to honor God and Country. Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.


As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it an alternate lifestyle, and if someone is offended, that's OK.


I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity by dispensing condoms and calling it safe sex. If someone is offended, that's OK.


I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a viable means of birth control.


If someone is offended, no problem.


I can designate a school day as earth day and involve students in activities to religiously worship and praise the goddess, mother earth, and call it ecology.


I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict people with strong, traditional, Christian convictions as simple minded and ignorant and call it enlightenment.


However, if anyone uses this facility to honor God and ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, Federal Case Law is violated.


This appears to be at best, inconsistent and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone except God and His Commandments.


Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be at best, inconsistent and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.
For this reason, I shall, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.


However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God, and ask Him in the name of Jesus to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."