It Takes Guts to Stand Up for What You Believe In': Blaze Readers React to Valedictorian Who Delivered Lord's Prayer at Graduation

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Roy Costner IV stunned the audience at his high school graduation after he tore up his valedictorian speech and delivered the Lord's prayer instead.

Costner had been told talk of religion wasn't allowed in his speech, but the 18-year-old, wearing his cap and gown, decided to speak about the impact of faith on his life.

Here's what some of you had to say:

momrules

“He did show courage.”...Many comments, mine included, remarked on the courage it took to do what Roy Costner did. And what did he do? He prayed. Yes, he prayed in public, in a school.

How far into the abyss has America fallen when praying at a high school graduation is now considered courageous?

bonesiii

What’s shocking is that this is seen as unusual or requiring courage. A sign of the times of how corrupted our society has become, sadly, but I’m confident that if we have resolute faith that calmly, peacefully standing up for what’s right and not bowing to the demands of the extremists, eventually the majority will agree with us that the silencers should not have their way, ever again.

Locked

He was courageous; standing up to authority always takes some amount of bravery. I think his goals may have been misguided; presumably he felt that his beliefs should be shared during everyone’s graduation; but it takes guts to stand up for what you believe in.

My question is – would you all feel the same if he was an atheist who stood up and said “I made it this far under my own power, because there is no God out there to help us”? Just like this boy, it would be standing up for his beliefs, even if they’re “wrong.” How about a Muslim who tore up his speech, got down on a mat and prayed toward Mecca? Is that not courage at as well?

I’d recommend looking at this situation and then trying to empathize with those who don’t share our Christian beliefs. Imagine the shoe on the other foot, and see if you’d react the same way.

The Giver

We are starving for great leaders. Leaders who believe in something bigger than themselves and their pockets. This young man has smarts and integrity. If his prayer had been to another god, that would have been ok too. It is his speech after all. Stand with God and He will stand with you.

HYPNOTOAD

If it was a homosexual student praising their perversion or a Muslim giving one of their false religion’s prayers it would have been accepted by the school district and touted as so very tolerant.

President Rome

I consider myself an atheist. With that being said, good for him. His prayer does not offend me in any way. I would be offended if he tried to force me to convert to his beliefs. I would be offended if he was dedicated to killing others that are not of his faith. Way to go kid. A nice punch to the gut of the teacher union indoctrinators.

TexasCommonSense

Student or not, he still has a first amendment right to praise God verbally, or in any other way he chooses. His personal beliefs have nothing to do with a state endorsement. I commend this young man’s courage and conviction.

FlyingFox

It sends an important message – EXCELLENT !! …. also, since most people really don’t understand separation of church and state, this does exercise our sovereign right to worship and pray without retribution; especially since this country was founded on Christian spiritual and moral principles (regardless of anyone’s particular religion).

The “separation” issue of church and state, simply means there can be no federal religion or interference; it does NOT mean we have to take our Christian principles out of public view, since this is the mainstay of our heritage and culture.

If you disagree, fine, then go about your business, but please, to all the atheists out there and those who do not believe in God, the Father, stop trying to make the rest of this country bow to your souless beliefs – America, and our spirituality, go hand in hand !!! That’s the way it was designed from the get go.

SoquelCreek

I applaud Roy Costner IV’s courage and audacity.

Mr. Costner’s speech is an interesting contrast to my daughter’s graduation, which included a mass presided over by priests from three different churches. The primary message for the graduates was illustrated with examples from the life of Christ and by passages in the Bible.

If you want to enjoy true freedom, become less dependent upon the State and its agenda. If necessary, get your kids out of the failed government schools and their bankrupt moral philosophy.

jgdesigner

Some Leftist loons around here think that this wasn’t a case of courage because this young man’s position agreed with the majority of the attendees and that because he was no longer under the authority of the administration he could suffer no consequences. Others ask if we would consider a Buddhist or Hindu courageous for doing the same thing. The answers to these silly questions are obvious: It WAS courageous because he was committing an act of civil disobedience to the authorities both on the school and those outside who stand against any mention of Christ or even God at public events. It does take courage to speak out about what is right and true when the powers that be say you must not. He had no idea how many in attendance would be supportive of his speech, I’m sure. He just did what his conscience told him to do. And finally, it would be courageous for a Buddhist or Hindu to do the same IF they, were too, told they could not but chose to do so anyway. But no one has ever made any rules regarding those two faiths. Only Christians and possibly religious Jews. Would it be courageous for a homosexual or atheist to do the same? Sure – if it were not acceptable by the authorities. But sadly those two things ARE accepted by the authorities and in fact encouraged by them. So, no, they would not be courageous for doing the same.

truth-seeker2020

I’m a photographer and have seen many graduations but this past week I was very pleasantly surprised. I was there to take photos of the Land O Lake High School Graduation Ceremony at the University of South Florida in the “USF – Sun Dome Stadium”. I saw a beautiful young woman who happens to be valedictorians speak to the graduating class. She thanked her family and teachers and then said “but without God in my life I would not be standing here today” she went on to recite verses from the book of Proverbs. She also referred to the Bible- chapter and verse. I had just witnessed a great moment in the history of this country. There was roaring applause at the end of her speech. I’m happy that the new generation still shows loyalty to Him who created us all.