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June 6th, 2013
10:37 AM ET
With his speech, valedictorian brings God to graduationBy Jessica Ravitz, CNN (CNN) - Leading up to Saturday’s ceremony, Roy Costner IV prayed on what he was going to do. Liberty High School’s 2013 valedictorian would soon find himself in front of a microphone. He’d have a pulpit from which he could address his small community tucked away in South Carolina’s mountainous corner. Only his father and pastor knew what was weighing on his heart and mind. Could he, should he, insert a prayer in his pre-approved graduation speech? He’d been told by the school principal that talk of religion wasn’t allowed, and so far he’d followed the rules. But as the day approached, the 18-year-old couldn’t deny what he felt he needed to do. “I wanted to stand up for God,” he explained Wednesday. “This is what God wanted me to do.” So Costner, in cap and gown, stood behind the podium and ripped up his original speech. Before he gave shout-outs to coaches, cheerleaders and friends, there was something else he wanted to say. “One thing I am certain of is we’re all a sum of our experiences, both good and bad,” he told his fellow graduates, a class of about 150. “All in all, those experiences, the people who mentored us, that we look up to, they have helped carve and mold us into the young adults that we are today. I’m so thankful that both of my parents led me to the Lord at a young age. And I think most of you will understand when I say, ‘Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name …” The crowd before him began to cheer as he recited the Lord’s Prayer, drowning out a few verses. The school principal, sitting behind him, appeared uncomfortable and peered down at papers on her lap. The school district’s superintendent, a few seats over, couldn’t help but smile. “I was tearing up,” Costner said, remembering the moment. “I was overwhelmed by the response. … The clapping was so loud I couldn’t hear myself talking into the microphone.” His father told CNN's Piers Morgan on Thursday night he was overwhelmed with pride for his son. The younger Costner approached his dad a few days before the speech and showed him what he wanted to do. "I said, 'Look, if you're doing this for political reasons, don't. But if you're doing it because you feel led to do it and you feel this is a part of your speech, then I want you to do it and I'll stand by you,' " Roy Costner III said. Some who were there heaped on praise when talking to CNN affiliate WYFF. One called it “pretty impressive.” Another student said it “took a lot of courage” and that “people were proud that he stood up for what he believed in.” What he believes is that Liberty, a town with three stoplights and a population of 3,000, “fully supports prayer.” He also believes that organizations such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison, Wisconsin, group dedicated to maintaining separation of church and state, should stop meddling in the affairs of the Pickens County School District. The foundation, over this past school year, has leaned on the district to keep Jesus and student-led prayers out of school board meetings. Other concerns went beyond board meetings. This spring, the foundation’s staff attorney sent a lawyer representing the district a letter about complaints of alleged discriminatory hiring and religious promotion in another county high school and praise music being played in an elementary school classroom. The foundation said it learned of such practices by way of community members who are, in fact, not fully supporting prayer. Costner said he set out to make a statement, one he hopes will inspire others to stand up, too, for what he sees as the good of this country. “Taking prayer out of schools is the worst thing we could do,” he said. If Costner went to a Christian school, there would be no discussion, said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. But in public schools, even in a place where there may be a religious majority, prayers such as his are clearly unconstitutional, she said. What’s more, she added, what he did shows contempt for school district policy and a lack of sensitivity for his audience. “It’s aggressive. It’s supremely rude,” she said. “This student is old enough to know that not everyone in the audience is Christian.” But Costner, who was bouncing between interviews and heading to New York for TV appearances, said he counts atheists among his friends. He said that even though he doesn’t agree with their beliefs, he respects them – and that they do the same for him. The elder Costner said his son had been inundated with messages of support, even from atheists. He said he thinks the video of the speech resonated with people across the country because many people "really want something to hold onto for hope." The son said he’s experienced no blowback from the district for what he did. And a district spokesman suggested Costner won’t. “He’s a graduate now, so there’s nothing we can do about it even if we wanted to,” John Eby told WYFF. “But the bottom line is we’re not going to punish students for expressing their religious faiths.” The district, Eby explained to CNN Friday morning, is in a “nearly impossible position.” He said federal law, under the Establishment Clause, is clear that public schools cannot “approve in advance a student’s prayer” or “carve out time specifically for religious expression.” But, under the Free Exercise Clause, he added, “we can’t punish students who do pray.” Gaylor doesn’t expect there to be any punishment. But without issuing some sort of statement expressing disappointment and reiterating school policy, she said, the district is making a mistake. “It’s one thing if a school doesn’t have a policy,” she said. “But when they do, they really need to enforce their policy because otherwise it’s just a wink and a nod.” Eby has an answer to this. “I do want to reiterate that we don’t approve rule breaking,” he said. “But we are very serious about protecting our students’ rights to express themselves religiously – or refuse to.” soundoff (5,383 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Hey dot.............you know the gang/list !
Captain Dazzlecat Q. Charmwhistle
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/05/opinion-a-plea-from-an-exhausted-muslim-woman/#comments
June 16, 2013 at 1:00 pm | Report abuse | Reply
Science
Hey dot
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/12/baptist-group-urges-ouster-of-boy-scouts-execs/comment-page-14/#comments
MESSENGER False Color Mercury Globe Spin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmYK479EpQc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=q4tx36la5xo
.
However,
"Our universe and its laws appear to have a design that both is tailor-made to support us and, if we are to exist, leaves little room for alteration. That is not easily explained, ... "
– Stephen Hawking, 2010
Doesn't mean the explanation is goddidit, jboom, no matter how many times you post that quote.
jboom,
HIs comment supports that the world could have been created by Moe, Larry & Curly before they came to earth.
Intelligent design, even if true, DOES NOT prove that God or any gods did it. It could have been a committee of zombies. Your quote proves NOTHING.
"Appear" being the operative word, there. Why isn't theology a branch of science?
You wanna pray and sing to God , I got no problem with that. Just keep it out of the public school system , our founding fathers thought about that and you , separation of church and state .
@keb carerra – you clearly have no clue about the founding fathers
1st Amendment:"...nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
Does not apply without limits to public schools, nclaw, but nice try.
AE aka Austin thinks he can judge others' character by reading their posts. I wonder what the kid thinks of HS, Gopher, Chad, faith, and lol??
There's no evidence for the existence of a god and none at all that shows people cannot be moral, compassionate, generous, and kind without one. There's plenty of evidence that shows believers can be hateful and ignorant.
So what good is belief?
Its the supernatural reality of the the presence of the holy spirit that gives quality.
On the other hand, foolishness Is no good.
Can't take credit for the ntelligent AE
Hats off!
Austin
"On the other hand, foolishness Is no good."
So you don't believe the Noah's ark science fiction story?
I believe that the covenant that God made with Noah,had Abraham, Moses and Jesus (God incarnate) written in stone.
Hard not to when the holy spirit reveals His presence.
No divine designer needed..............Chad./austin...........perv/cap'y and the ICR...........by the way
Happy Fathers Day ............ dad(s)..............you know that se-x thingy faith.
Video animation: RNA interference
http://www.nature.com/nrg/multimedia/rnai/animation/index.html
And
.geology...................the deep where green slime grows ............for you know.
Researchers Sequence the Genome of Global Deep Ocean.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130612133132.htm
And included this for chadfie...........no divine creator needed chad.
Mystery of X-Ray Light from Black Holes Solved
June 14, 2013 — It is a mystery that has stymied astrophysicists for decades: how do black holes produce so many high-power X-rays?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130614140504.htm
And lol?? you are the fruitiest of them ALL.............no fvcking horn-y red beast needed.
You know geology and fvcking chondrites ......brought 4 new/old ones home with me from the shack in the woods...dot.
are the comments going to disappear here too like the scouts thread ?
New 'Embryonic' Subduction Zone Found
June 17, 2013 — A new subduction zone forming off the coast of Portugal heralds the beginning of a cycle that will see the Atlantic Ocean close as continental Europe moves closer to America.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130617104614.htm
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/05/05/when-christians-become-a-hated-minority/?replytocom=2407952#respond
Tom, a little hypocritical of you to preach about compassion and kindness, considering the amount of insults you sling around here on a daily basis, calling people names, belitting them, etc. You're probably one of the most vile atheists posting comments here. In fact, your kind are what gives atheism a bad name. Thanks for that.
You're quite welcome, Lycidas.
I'm actually a very compassionate person in real life to those who are in pain or in need. I have no time for frauds and sanctimonious twits like those I've posted to here. They're nothing but a drain on humanity. They are here instead of the places they're most needed. So are you, apparently.
God is real and I trust Him. Amen.
@ Cpt. Obvious
–No scientist will tell you that they have proof of god because scientists understand that proof is UNDENIABLE. -
“God is Truth. There is no incompatibility between science and religion. Both are seeking the same truth. Science shows that God exists.”
– Sir Derek Barton
(winner of the 1969 Nobel Prize in Chemistry)
and he also said:
“The observations and experiments of science are so wonderful that the truth that they establish can surely be accepted as another manifestation of God. God shows himself by allowing man to establish truth.”
“God created everything by number, weight and measure.”
Sir Isaac Newton
If God created everything then Newton is studying what God created.
That scientists seems to say he is studying God's creation.
“It may seem bizarre, but in my opinion science offers a surer path to God than religion.”
Paul Davies (Physicist)
Science and God? Oh my.
“This sense of wonder leads most scientists to a Superior Being – der Alte, the Old One, as Einstein affectionately called the Deity – a Superior Intelligence, the Lord of all Creation and Natural Law.”
Abdus Salam (1979 Nobel Prize in Physics)
🙂
Tonight on Larry King Live! updated Fri September 10, 2010
Legendary Physicist Stephen Hawking! Stephen Hawking says that God did not create the universe! In a rare interview, hear his controversial new claims on the origins of life and mankind’s ultimate mysteries – why are we here?
"The 'god' that Stephen Hawking is trying to debunk is not the creator God of the Abrahamic faiths who really is the ultimate explanation for why there is something rather than nothing. Hawking's god is a god-of-the-gaps used to plug present gaps in our scientific knowledge.
Science provides us with a wonderful narrative as to how [existence] may happen, but theology addresses the meaning of the narrative."
Dr Denis Alexander
Hey AE................think of The King James version as Humpty Dumpy Sat on the Wall another classic fairytale from
England.
June 12, 2013 — To World War II soldiers, "The White Cliffs of Dover" was a morale-boosting song that lifted spirits in dark times. To geographers,
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130612133050.htm
AE, how can we miss you if you won't leave? You said you were "out."
More quotes will not make anyone believe there's a god. If I quoted 25 scientists who said there is no evidence of a god, would it convince you? Of course not. That's because you aren't interested in fact, only in your belief. That would be fine if you didn't attempt to pretend that your belief means there's proof. There isn't. Why do you find it necessary to argue that there is?
I think you are Austin's sock puppet.
Come on! I was out for the day. Don't be so petty. And I don't know Austin.
I'm not trying to make you believe there is a God. I just don't think it is "stupid" to say science is the study of God's creation.
There are way too many respected scientists who disagree with YOU on the matter. And that is a FACT.
And I do not believe that scientists who say there is no evidence of God are "stupid". So you are wrong on that assumption.
" And I don't know Austin." Didn't say you knew him. I think you ARE him. Same style. Same lack of ability to comprehend what is written.
"I'm not trying to make you believe there is a God. I just don't think it is "stupid" to say science is the study of God's creation."
It is incorrect. The definition of "science" does not include a god.
"There are way too many respected scientists who disagree with YOU on the matter. And that is a FACT."
"Way too many" to conclude what, exactly? Do ALL scientists believe there's a god? Do most? Did I ever say there weren't many who disagree? So what if they do?
"And I do not believe that scientists who say there is no evidence of God are "stupid". So you are wrong on that assumption."
Never made any such statement. Do you know how to read?
"Because you called me a fvcktard for stating that science is the study of God's creation."
Already addressed and dismissed as false. He didn't call you anything. He told you not to be a fvcktard.
"I posted quotes that supported well known scientists who believe that they are studying God's creation.
I'm 100% confident in my choice to believe them over 2 angry-sounding internet atheists."
So? Who asked you to believe anyone here? You're free to believe whatever you want. And anyone is free to disagree with you. Again, you're whining because people told you they think you're wrong. If you don't like being told that people think you're wrong, then go somewhere that has restricted access. If you post here, you are going to have people post back and they're aren't required to tell you what you want to hear. Get over it. Grow up. You sound like a baby.
Ok, you don't believe science is the study of God's creation.
But to some Noble Prize winning physicists, chemists, and biologists seem to say they believe science is the study of God's creation.
And to a man who is widely regarded to be the greatest scientist the world has ever produced, Sir Isaac Newtown, science seems to be study of God's creation.
Why else would Newtown say:
“God created everything by number, weight and measure.”
And yes, there are some scientists and internet atheists who disagree with these scientists.
But I just don't believe them or you.
Fine with me. Why would I care as long as you keep your nose out of my business and your hands off my legal rights?
As long as you don't attempt to insert your beliefs into the public schools for which I pay taxes, you can believe in dragons or witches or gods. As long as you don't try to force women to give birth against their will or attempt to dictate who will or will not be able to marry legally, I don't give a rat's ass what you believe.
AE, you seem to think that you have some right not to be called stupid for trying to rewrite the definition of science, but you don't have any such right. I can call you an idiot and so can anyone else. If it upsets you so, perhaps you shouldn't post.
God has no law against these things:
love
joy
peace
forbearance
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control
These are the fruits that God’s spirit bears.
God does have laws against these things:
s.xual immorality
impurity
debauchery
hatred
discord
jealousy
fits of rage
selfish ambition
dissensions
factions and envy
drunkenness
Things like these just burn up in God’s presence – and if they are in you, you may burn up, too.
Sure thing, Austintasia. Have any new dreams lately?
What's amusing is that you seem to think that all things good "must" come from a belief in a god-at least, it appears from your above post that you believe so. Do you think those who don't believe there's any such being have no love? That they're drunkards? That only those who believe in YOUR god are joyful, kind, and moral? Where's your evidence that atheists are immoral, impure, selfish, etc.? And where's your evidence that they are going to "burn up"?
If they only source for your information is the bible, you're out of luck as far as having any evidence that supports your assertions. It's not a valid source of objective information or fact.
At least 90% of what Sir Isaac Newton claimed and worked on was pure rubbish, and he said that his greatest accomplishment was that he never had s3x.
I see, AE. Suppose God is true. How am I justified in believing in God? I need something that serves as justification that depends on God being true. What could that be?
–Do you think those who don't believe there's any such being have no love? That they're drunkards–
No, they love, too. No, they are not drunkards.
–That only those who believe in YOUR god are joyful, kind, and moral?–
No.
–Where's your evidence that atheists are immoral, impure, selfish, etc.? And where's your evidence that they are going to "burn up"? -
I didn't say athiests are immoral, impure, selfish, etc. I paraphrased Galatians 5 which states that God has laws against those things (humans have these laws, too)
It is written there is NO darkness in God, only light.
Darkness just ceases to exist in the presence of God.
These things are darkness:
s.xual immorality, impurity, debauchery, hatred, discord,
jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions,
factions and envy, drunkenness
They will cease to exist in the presence of God. Perhaps "burn up".
Perhaps if you are full of hate, regardless if you are Christian or atheist, you to will "burn up" or cease to exist in the presence of God.
These things are light – and will flourish in the presence of God:
love, joy, peace
forbearance, kindness, goodness
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
Are you implying that such things won't flourish without belief in a god?
If so, can you show any evidence, Austin?
@The real Tom
–Are you implying that such things won't flourish without belief in a god?–
–If so, can you show any evidence, Austin? (hu?)–
I think that is what the text implies.
One type of evidence I have is you. I see no love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and especially self-control in your words or actions.
You sound pretty dark and hateful.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
John 3:19
"One type of evidence I have is you. I see no love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and especially self-control in your words or actions.
You sound pretty dark and hateful."
No wonder you believe. It allows you to judge others.
You sound like an idiot, but I won't hold it against you–you're all of 15.
You don't need to believe to judge others.
I use you for evidence, again.
SInce you don't have a clue about me, dear, you have no "evidence". You're just mad because I think you are wrong. You don't like it when people tell you that you're incorrect.
That's okay. You don't have to like it.
Your words are "evidence".
And so are yours. You've lied several times about what others have written, Austin.
Ok, if you say so... I'm Austin. Hope that makes your Saturday a little brighter.
My day was just as bright before, honey. Are you going to post under some more monikers now?
Tom. I went on a business call . My gosh.
Outed, Austintasia. Why do you lie so much?
AE, why isn't theology a branch of a science?
Dear "compassionate" atheists, your spokesperson Tom has enlightened us all again as to why atheism is absolute trash and why all atheists are garbage.
Oh, look, Mark the Piddler is too embarrassed to post under his own name. Nice try, Piddles, but you fail. Both times.
nuffsaid5800,
"Without God there are not objective moral absolutes. Without God there is no good or evil."
You shouldn't trash believers like that. Most Christians are bright enough to know it isn't a good idea to go around killing everyone without needing a 2,000-year-old book to tell them not to do it. They aren't as dumb as you think.
If you discovered tomorrow that, without a doubt, there is no god, would you start murdering, raping, and stealing? If the only thing that keeps you from being a horrible person is the threat of eternal damnation, then you are already a horrible person.
Reblogged this on nuffsaid5800.
All people are born with a sinful nature. Just look at the world around you and all of the chaos and evil gonig on. Without God there are not objective moral absolutes. Without God there is no good or evil. Some atheiests posit that good and evil are mere perceptions of what we see as beneficial for the human race, but this fails logic. If this were true then why do people kill themselves and their young? Why do people cut themselves? I contend that there are objective moral values (laws) that must have come from a source (God, Jesus). Cosmology has great arguments for the existence of God. For one, th big bang theory posits a beginning for the universe from which something came from nothing. This means the universe has a cause and must have been created by an uncaused eternal being (God). Ultimately the athiestic worldview has worse arguments and no evidence to support the claim that there is no God. Lack of evidence does not mean there is evidence for lack. John 3:16 for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall inherit eternal life.
You are incorrect because you are acting like elements of mythology are actually real. There is no such thing as "sin" or "god." Those are simply made up ideas used in an old story. You're welcome.
GOD is absolutely Real.
Hallelujah.
http://www.holy-19-harvest.com
UNIVERSAL MAGNIFICENT MIRACLES
Much to do about nothing! How many high school grads actually remember their class valedictorian's presentation for 10 minutes after it was given?
Cheers, Bravo to a bright valedictorian!
Hey Harry.
Why Did the Chicken Lose Its Penis?
http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=why-did-the-chicken-lose-its-penis-13-06-06
At some point in the near future there will probably be a Muslim valedictorian who will feel called by Allah to offer a Muslim prayer during his commencement speech. Let's see how that goes over with the Christians. If they don't applaud it, they are hypocrites.
The kid just showed how immature he is. He was given the privilege of a platform to speak on and his disrespectfully abused that privilege and disobeyed authorities.
He also showed how little he knows about the Bible by disobeying it and making a spectacle of his praying. Ooops.
Totally agree. He got his 15-minutes in the limelight in that community and looked for ways to make it go national. That's all this is about. A kid with an ego.
Bought the concept of "ego"?? How immature.
Hey hey are you ready?(clap, clap)
Are you ready?(clap,clap)
To praise God (clap)
Say praise Him (clap)
Say p r a i s e H I M (clap , clap)
say the Lord's prayer all the way!
Go Roy (clap)
🎵 🎹
“If we need an atheist for a debate, we go to the philosophy department. The physics department isn’t much use.”
–Robert Griffiths, winner of the Heinemann Prize in mathematical physics.
– Isaiah 34:7 “And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.” [KJV]
I think it would be foolish to listen to some angry and resentful poster on the CNN Belief Blog about God.
Especially when there are so many brilliant and amazing minds that put that poster's OPINION to shame!
“Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe.”
― Galileo Galilei
– Job 39:9-10 “Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?”
Hey hey are you ready?(clap, clap)
Are you ready?(clap,clap)
To praise God (clap)
Say praise Him (clap)
say p r a I s e H I M (clap clap)
say the Lord's prayer all the way!
Go Roy (clap)
🎷 🎶
o thambo. hi shnookie love bear. i c u r filled with the joy of the holy spirit again 2day. ain't it grand?
poor lil fatty sambo. u've been so mistreated and abused. u have every right 2 b sad and 2 feel sorry 4 urself. anybody looking like u deserves sympathy.
no wonder u hate jesus. he let u down. ooooooooo. pooe thambo
but thammie, u agreed 2 marry me. of course i took ur name. i must say, u r quite the lover, too. tender, swweet, caring, thoughtful, sensitive. fun. o, no one nos how fun u r. u r so silly.
lil fatso sambo is tall dark and curvy. she b quite the dear.
ZERO
LOL
Atheism is stupidity in Full bloom.
Internet Atheists: proof that God has a sense of humor.
The Apostles'/Agnostics’/Atheists' Creed 2013: (updated by yours truly and based on the studies of historians and theologians of the past 200 years)
Should I believe in a god whose existence cannot be proven
and said god if he/she/it exists resides in an unproven,
human-created, spirit state of bliss called heaven??
I believe there was a 1st century CE, Jewish, simple,
preacher-man who was conceived by a Jewish carpenter
named Joseph living in Nazareth and born of a young Jewish
girl named Mary. (Some say he was a mamzer.)
Jesus was summarily crucified for being a temple rabble-rouser by
the Roman troops in Jerusalem serving under Pontius Pilate,
He was buried in an unmarked grave and still lies
a-mouldering in the ground somewhere outside of
Jerusalem.
Said Jesus' story was embellished and "mythicized" by
many semi-fiction writers. A descent into Hell, a bodily resurrection
and ascension stories were promulgated to compete with the
Caesar myths. Said stories were so popular that they
grew into a religion known today as Catholicism/Christianity
and featuring dark-age, daily wine to blood and bread to body rituals
called the eucharistic sacrifice of the non-atoning Jesus.
Amen
(references used are available upon request)