Women ordered to stop praying inside mall | Fox News

I am starting a new "series" called the Starnes Watch. Let's see how much of his pandering turns out to be an accurate portrayal of events or hyperbole. Here's our first one which takes place in Georgia.

It’s not uncommon for shopping malls to have rules of conduct. Some places ban saggy pants. Others won’t let you ask people for money. But a mall in Georgia may have one of the most unusual rules -- they won’t let shoppers pray – not even over their meals.

Meet Tammy Brantley of Dublin, Ga. She’s a wife, a mom and an avid power walker. She’s also a person of deep faith in God.

Tammy is the co-founder of “Dublin Girls Run,” a group of local ladies that combines Southern fellowship with physical fitness.

[,,,]
A few weeks ago the Dublin Girls had gathered inside the local mall for an evening power walk. They formed a small circle and as they had done many times before, they bowed their heads to petition the Almighty.

But before one of the runners could say, “Lord Jesus,” she was interrupted by a mall cop barreling down a corridor.

“The security guard came running toward us and said, ‘You are not allowed to pray at the mall. That’s against the policy,’” Tammy told me.

The ladies were aghast.

SCORE:: B/B+

By all accounts that I could find what is presented is accurate, BUT,,,

"Meanwhile, the Dublin Girls are searching for a new place to power walk. Tammy said she understands that the mall is indeed private property and they have a right to dictate appropriate rules and regulations."

"[T]he mall is indeed private property"  that is the key.  Brantley states as much in a July 24th posting to her public F/B account:

"However, I had a long conversation with the property Manager over the mall. They are in fact, privately owned..therefore we must abide by their rules. I was told in this conversation that this rule has been set forth to not offend other religions and people who walk through the doors. They feel that if they allow one religious group to pray and worship..they would have to let them all. They will not allow prayer vigils or outward displays of faith. My response to him was that we should not ever worry or fear offense when we are standing for God,,, I told him that I refuse to let anything cause the ladies to not be able to focus on that because of the fear of ridicule or intimidation. I will allow all of you to make your decision based on how God lead's you. BUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO AS CHRISTIANS IS TO PRAY THAT GOD WILL REIGN DOMINION OVER THE MALL AND THE OWNERS."

Exactly which "God" is Brantley referring to?  Would she be without object to a group of Sikhs practicing Nitnem banis prior to their workout.  Or how about a Hindu group saying the Prārthana?

Sounds a bit like Christian privilege to me - I don't like your rules but because I am a Christian, your rules do not or should not apply to me (but they do apply to everyone else who isn't a Christina like me. )

Sound familiar?  It should because that is the same logic behind the "religious liberty" legislation being pushed by Alliance Defending Freedom.

Brantley went from understanding that the mall property is privately owned with their own rules, ",,, if they allow one religious group to pray and worship, they would have to let them all. " To, the incident being a case of discrimination.  This being said in an August 2nd public posting

"I remembered that in any discrimination case, nothing was ever done until someone had the guts to say no. Because of those not afraid, MLK, Rosa Parks to name a few... we all have rights to speak freely and PRAY freely."

So it is okay for a privately owned "Christian" bakery or a privately owned "Christian" photography studio to plead for the ability to discriminate based on religious beliefs but a a privately owned mall with a policy banning all - not just Christian - religious expression is now being crucified for exercising the same rights.  Something that  Starnes nor Brantley seem to understand.

Women ordered to stop praying inside mall | Fox News

Please note that I have left out any links connecting to Mrs. Brantley's page out of respect.  Although her name is public as is her F/B account (for the moment) I personally do not believe she is ready for the shitstorm that is to come.