[Jaine Perotti]

There has been alot of talk in the last few posts about "shoving beliefs in people's faces". While Dylan and others have promised that what they intend to do would not be considered "shoving beliefs in people's faces", consider this:

The prospect of outright "shoving" isn't the only thing which is making people feel uncomfortable. Even if the group were not to actively ask people to join or become Christian, the presence of that group would be felt anyways (if there were prayers being held at socials, or on the field sidelines), and those who do not want to participate would still feel alienated.

If I walk into a FIRST competition, and I see a large group of people holding a prayer service (Based on the fact that 77% of the country is Christian, I would assume a similar ratio would be seen among FIRST participants), I am going to feel as if being Christian were an unspoken expectation of participating in the competition. Sure, I am not officially required to, and no one is making me, but I will be very aware of the fact that I am not a participant in that particular activity. As I mentioned before, all of a sudden, there will be less common ground between me and those other FIRST participants. Highlighting these differences would make me feel very uncomfortable and out of place, and many others would feel uncomfortable as well.

Honestly, based on what I think and the views which have been expressed here, I don't think a Christian group which met at socials, by the field before matches, or anywhere else where it would create a large presence at the venue - would serve to improve the FIRST community. People would feel uncomfortable, and would uncover and highlight a very divisive issue. I know that no harm is meant by the existence of such a group, and I know that prayer is not harmful, but the side effects of this group (if it were a palpable presence at competitions) could be.

My recommendation is that you create a group which perhaps arranges to meet elsewhere (for example, you could arrange a trip to a theme park, or out to dinner) - after the competition, or regionally (for example, Chicago or Indianapolis area teams). Or, maybe you could hold online chats, where you could get to know each other and have conversations about God and your faith. I could see both of those things as being very positive and fun, and would achieve your stated objectives (finding new friends who have a common interest AND religion).

I don't think I or anyone else here is asking you to "drop your beliefs at the door" when you walk into a competition. When we come to a FIRST event, we come in as the people who we are, and we abide by all of the beliefs which compose our moral character - no matter where they come from (our religion, our upbringing, our experientially-derived moral principles). You can pray if you want to - I am sure many people already do. There is no reason why a silent, personal prayer can't be as effective as a vocal group prayer, and I don't take any offense to people praying silently to the God(s) of their choice while at a FIRST competition.

-- Jaine