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To the editor:

Unlike Wes Provine’s column, I applaud the Supreme
Court’s decision to ban school prayer. First, I believe that
asking God to bring us an injury-free victory is tacky. What
happens when we lose, has God forsaken us? Second, nobody stops the
individual from praying before a football game. If Wes thinks it is
absolutely necessary to ask Jesus to give Josh Heupel the power to
throw one more touchdown pass, then nobody is going to stop him.
Nobody’s right to worship is violated. In fact, the right to
worship is upheld in many ways that most people don’t
see.

I’m not sure if Wes or anyone else on this campus is
aware, but there is quite a noticeable presence of different
cultures here at OU. So when a Muslim comes to Memorial Stadium to
watch the Sooners play football, and somebody’s voice comes
over the PA asking everyone to pray, aren’t his rights
violated? Why do we have to pray to God instead of Allah, or any
other deity for that matter? Why is OU showing preference to the
Christian community and excluding every other religion you can
think of? As someone who is still trying to come to grips with his
spiritual side, I know I am always offended when I am asked to
pray.

When OU allows a Christian prayer to be said at a football game,
OU establishes a religion. When OU establishes a religion, the
United States of America establishes a religion. And we just
aren’t allowed to do that. I agree with Wes when he says that
we are a religious people. But I have to wonder if he understands
that we are not a unified religious group.

The First Amendment stretches out to everybody, not just to
Christianity. So pray on Wes, just don’t do it over the PA.
It taints my football game experience.

 

James Fulks is a professional writing sophomore
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