See You at the Pole 2009

See You at the Pole 2009

This morning students will join in prayer for “See You at the Pole” 2009. Students will meet in “See You at the Pole” across U.S. school to join in a moment of prayer before Wednesday’s school day. The event is the 20th anniversary of the event started in Texas. As many as 2 million students are reportedly expected to participate. National Network of Youth Ministries is behind today’s event. Paul Fleischmann, president of the group,

says the following about See You at the Pole: “For 20 years, we have seen this day serve as a springboard for unity for teenagers on their secondary and college campuses. “Challenging youth to take leadership on their campus is always a good idea. It’s important to remember that though it has a 20-year history, it’s fresh to today’s students.”

Baptist Joint Committee Executive Director J. Brent Walker, writing Monday at the Washington Post's On Faith, suggests guidelines for conducting programs. They include a warning that: "students should avoid being lulled into a civil religion trap. Joining hands in a circle facing the quintessential symbol of our country, the American Flag, makes this a real risk. Yes, we are told in Scriptures to pray for our leaders. Students should understand they are not praying to Caesar, but to God." Jamison Foser at Media Matters criticizes Walker's suggestions, saying that SYATP undermines the spirit, if not the letter, of church-state separation.