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NCAA News Archive - 2007
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Letter to the editor - Prayer reflects values of Americans
The NCAA News
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The NCAA News
Institutions should reflect the values of the society that supports them. In America, according to recent polls, 92 percent of the people believe in a god. Of those, the U.S. census shows that 88 percent are Christians (about 264 million Americans) and 1.3 percent are Jewish, with other religions making up smaller percentages. In representative governments and organizations, such as the one we have chosen for ourselves, the majority rules and the minority is provided with rights to avoid their exploitation.
While it is true that majority rule may seem oppressive at times, rule by a minority would be far more oppressive. That prayers “should cease” at NCAA events (see the letter in the January 15 issue of The NCAA News) is a minority position that does not “respect religious diversity.” It eliminates it.
In May 1861, Abraham Lincoln articulated a broad principle that bears upon this issue: “We must settle this question now, whether in a free government the minority have the right to break up the government whenever they choose.” The question then was slavery, and the minority then were the slave owners. The question today is “prayer at NCAA events,” and the minority are those who believe that it “should cease.” The answer to both questions is the same.
Tom Justice
Women’s Volleyball Coach
Lock Haven University
of Pennsylvania
Editor’s note: To clarify, the letter in the January 15 issue of The NCAA News requested that host institutions offer “more generic,” nondenominational and shorter prayers at championship events.
While it is true that majority rule may seem oppressive at times, rule by a minority would be far more oppressive. That prayers “should cease” at NCAA events (see the letter in the January 15 issue of The NCAA News) is a minority position that does not “respect religious diversity.” It eliminates it.
In May 1861, Abraham Lincoln articulated a broad principle that bears upon this issue: “We must settle this question now, whether in a free government the minority have the right to break up the government whenever they choose.” The question then was slavery, and the minority then were the slave owners. The question today is “prayer at NCAA events,” and the minority are those who believe that it “should cease.” The answer to both questions is the same.
Tom Justice
Women’s Volleyball Coach
Lock Haven University
of Pennsylvania
Editor’s note: To clarify, the letter in the January 15 issue of The NCAA News requested that host institutions offer “more generic,” nondenominational and shorter prayers at championship events.
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