Paul Harvey says: (actually it was Nick Gholson)

"I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory of evolution. Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.
"But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue.
Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect-somebody chanting Hare Krishna? If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer. If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer. If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha. And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome...
"But what about the atheists?" is another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds.. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer.
Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations. Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.
God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well..........just sue me.
The silent majority has been silent too long.. it's time we let that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard, that the vast majority don't care what they want.. it is time the majority rules! It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray.. you don't have to say the pledge of allegiance, you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right.. but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away .. we are fighting back.. and we WILL WIN.
God bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him... God bless America, despite all her faults, she is still the greatest nation of all..... God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God... May 2005 be the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions Keep looking up......
In God WE Trust. If you agree with this, please pass it on. If not, delete.

As we begin 2005, five years after this was written (at least most of it), have we gained ground on this or lost ground? To me the answer is both, I hear lots of the negative stories but I also hear and see lots of Americans and Christians standing up for what is right. This message has a "call to action" for us all. Just what can we do? First and foremost we should share our faith by praying in public and by living our Christian faith even though we are persecuted just as Christ said in John 15:18-27 where He tells of the world's attitude toward His believers. Christ calls us to action in his instructions to us to testify about Him. Wouldn't it be great if Christians all around the world would join together in prayer on new years eve as we welcome in the new year. We should also be informed and involved in the political processes so that our individual and collective voices are heard. This is exactly how others are advancing their agendas and transforming some of the core values that our country was founded. One method you may want to consider is to add your name to the email alert list of the American Family Association ( www.afa.net ). This organization focuses on the media and it's impact on family values. AFA, along with many Christians, made some significant impacts on the media in 2004 and I'm sure some of you participated along with me in those efforts. One current effort is a boycott on Proctor and Gamble that you can learn more about at http://www.pgboycott.com/promotion.asp . I will warn you that you will be shocked if you are not already aware of this. We can make a difference. Please forgive me if you view this as promotion of a political agenda. I was moved by the above email forward to "do something" so I have.
I pray for God to bless each and every one of you in this new year.

With best regards and in Christian love,
Mark-- a proud Christian and a proud American