AFA: ‘This is not the time to rest on our laurels as believers… We must remember the Great Commission and fulfill our obligations to that calling’
October 17, 2022
TUPELO, Miss. — American Family Association (AFA, www.AFA.net) said a new poll reflects the influence of America’s Christian founding, but it’s just a start to more widespread action from the American Christian community. The poll found overall approval for prayers at high school sporting events, and even general disapproval of professional athletes kneeling during the national anthem. The nationwide poll was conducted in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which ruled that the school district had violated Coach Joe Kennedy’s First Amendment protections for Free Exercise of Religion and Free Speech by firing him for praying during free time.
AFA pointed out it’s good news that “the solid majority of citizens defend” speech rights protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, but the poll also revealed a troubling apathy to the vital American practice of public prayer. Only 32% of those polled have read or heard about the Kennedy v. Bremerton, and 45% haven’t heard anything at all about the critical First Amendment ruling.
American Family Association (AFA, www.AFA.net) Executive Vice President Ed Vitagliano said the real message is that the Church must wake up and push forward sharing the good news of salvation to a nation that is losing sight of its history.
Vitagliano stated, “There still appears to be a bedrock of Christian influence in our country as well as a strong love of country. Of particular note in this poll is that a solid majority of citizens defend the clear First Amendment right of a coach to pray –– and for students to join in if they so choose. However, as always, the Church has plenty of work to do. This is neither the time to rest on our laurels as believers nor the time to trust in polls. We must remember the Great Commission and fulfill our obligations to that calling.”
For over 40 years, AFA has operated within the mission to inform, equip, and activate individuals to strengthen the moral foundations of American culture and give aid to the church here and abroad in its task of fulfilling the Great Commission. Founded in 1977, AFA has long been on the front lines of America’s culture war. Today, AFA is one of the largest and most effective pro-family organizations in the country, with nearly a million online supporters and approximately 110,000 subscribers to The Stand (formerly known as the AFA Journal), the ministry’s monthly magazine. Find AFA Action Alerts here. In addition, AFA owns and operates nearly 180 radio stations across the country under the American Family Radio banner.
View the media page for AFA here. For more information on American Family Association, visitwww.afa.net or follow AFA on Facebook or Twitter @AmericanFamAssc.
