Akin Valedictorian, Salutatorian take a stand at tonight’s graduation

by Steve Dunford 

First of all let me say no one from Akin Community Consolidated School District #91, or the valedictorian or salutatorian, nor their parents have contacted me.  I have confirmed the details from attendees of the graduation.

Second, let me remind you this is my unsolicited opinion.

There was a citizen in the Akin School district that received word there would be prayer, and God would be mentioned in the valedictorian and salutatorian speeches at graduation.   The citizen raised a ruckus.

The speeches as well as prayer were given and completed off of school property, with the vast majority in attendance following the students.  In the photographs, I can not tell if it was the house across the road, or in front of the Akin Baptist Church.

I applaud the action of the young individuals.  I never understood anyone having a problem with thanking the almighty for the great things that he has done in their lives.

This logic saying that the speeches violate the first amendment and free speech is protected by the first amendment is an absurd contradictory statement to say the least.

The ones who decry separation of church and state, need to look what the clause was put into the constitution for.  The pilgrims came to this country to escape persecution from the Church of England, who departed from the teachings of God’s Word.

The first amendment was put in place to proclaim the government can not interfere with what is being proclaimed in the pulpit.   Most of our founding fathers in several documents were God fearing men.

Over the last half century, it has been a slow subtle secularization of our country.  Public displays of the Ten Commandments and Nativity Scenes,  and even a few years ago saying Merry Christmas was under attack from a very small minority who claim we must “be tolerant in case some one might be offended.

Here in Southern Illinois a few years back, there was controversy over city councils that opened their meetings with prayer.  The complaints came from outside sources, not from the constituency they serve.  What is wrong with mortal men and women asking the Lord to give them wisdom, as they conduct their business affairs?

I never understood the logic of atheists and agnostics, who throw a hissy fit over things they claim are religious, and violate their rights.  If they do not believe in God, why do they care?  Why do they fight so hard against something they believe that does not exist?

For those young people tonight, some of us older ones need to take heed of the courageous stand they took.  The following verse came to mind:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16, KJV)

I have been saying this for over the last several months.  This generation that is coming up, have a hunger and thirst for spiritual things, that mine did not have.  Tonight, is another example of it.