Georgia public high school under fire for mass baptism

Administrators are investigating after a church held a mass baptism on the football field of a Georgia public high school. A video caught the attention of critics after it showed up online. Mark Strassmann reports from Villa Rica High School outside Atlanta on the battle over church, state and sports.

[marystrayer]

I just want to say I am proud of them for standing up for their rights. We have too many rights being taken away already. This was voluntary and after school hours. I see no problem.

[chloefaithhh]

I'm a student at VRHS and also a cheerleader. Here's the fault in logic... The word "forced." None of these football players were forced to do anything. They did it because they wanted to walk with Christ. Here's the best part, all of these news casts made a pathway for about 12 other baptisms in Villa Rica. You didn't hurt us. You made us stronger... try again. You can't beat us, we have God.

[loukishaarmstrong]

I’m floored at this… I give God all the glory!

[BrizBrina]

great to see these young men seeking christ

[tradermama]

Thank you Lord ! Way to go...Most Americans agree with the baptismal....

[TheDaexiled]

This is absolutely disgusting, this is a clear example of the violation of the separation of church and state in our Constitution. Yes it is there and the laws were broken when this was done. Had this been on a private school grounds, it would be one thing but not a public school grounds.

[smellymelly]

It's no wonder so many coaches are jailed every year for sexual abuse when they have this amount of power in schools .

[heatherwhite]

If those boys were actually forced to do this then why were only 18 people baptized? It looks like in the video there are a whole heck of a lot more people than 18 standing around... No one forced these boys, it was what was in their hearts, and there is a difference in bowing your head when someone prayers and not listening, then actually feeling the words in your heart. I wish people would worry about what is screwed up in their own lives instead of dragging other people into drama that is unwanted. I won't force my religion on you, so quit trying to force your disbelief us. Our country was founded on people who wanted to have their own beliefs, I believe in God, you believe in nothing, I don't tell you your wrong so quit telling me and mine we are.

[dubbs]

i'm an atheist and honestly I don't think this is an issue. these kids and coaches volunteered. it wasn't done on school hours. sometimes freedom from religion goes too far. should it have been done on public school property? probably not. there is such a thing called separation of church and state. however rules are broken all the time and this one is not that big of a deal. just like brady and deflategate.

[gen]

This should not be controversial at all. America 🇺🇸 allows a Freedom to worship and display our beliefs freely…the United States is not a country of Freedom FROM religion.
“Did you proselytize???” What are we …CHINA! We are free to share the Gospel message. Our nation was founded on these beliefs…and no one is forced to accept them, but we should always be free to share them. 🙌🏻

[edwardking]

20 kids dunked in the same container of water? Nasty.

[welfareleaching]

The problem with this isn't the baptism.Its the fact that different races came together voluntarily.DEMOCRATS HATE THAT.they want division and hate.Are race relation better now after we elected osomba, or worse

[Laflamablanca]

Man oh man, if this happened at more high schools think of how much better the country would be right now 🤔 🙌🏼

They hate Christianity in America but take solace for they hate Jesus first :)

[brucevilla]

Keep your Buybull and magical friends at home.

[caramartin]

baptism is a choice, to follow Christ is a choice. so even if they were "forced" to be baptized it means nothing without a heart change. so who cares. Praise Jesus for Christians who don't care what the law of the land says... If it is against God its wrong... Christians are called to stand with Christ no matter what. Amen. I am praying for all those who were baptized that they may find their new strength in Christ each day.

[solangebarretto]

Absolutely outrageous this woman, I didn't see anyone being forced to get baptized. If it was a shooting 🔫 with deaths she would be ok, right? We are talking USA here, go back to history and read about the beginning of this country. God bless all of the players 🙏

[blakescherping]

religion should be the foundation of everything! u wuldnt b here if it wasnt for God! go feed the homeless!!

[AustinthGenTexan]

"No peer pressure" - We used to have auditorium assemblies (during class hours) to have to listen to hellfire Baptist preachers in our East TX class 4-A public high school - in the 1970s. EVERYONE went, just to get out of class.

I "got saved" with the football team two or three times during revivals - no peer pressure to come down to the front as a group - rrright..

Get saved, get out of jail free? Forever, no matter what you do ? Rrrrright.... Cheap grace & NOT what the early church taught.

[kooldadrich]

This makes a mockery of baptism. It means nothing unless they are really going to turn their lives around and live a moral life. You really believe these boys won't be engaging in the same screwing around they do every weekend?

[lorihamilton]

religion is a persons given right. no matter where they are. u that are against our rights. it is a choice to each person. i am sure the people in this video made a choice not forced like u are trying to.
it is your choice to not be for god but how would u like it if someone made u pray.