re: Group accuses Mark Richt of using “public office” to raise money for Christian..

This argument is a matter of semantics and particularly pointless if you ask me. I am not sure what translation you used but there are many other translations that use different terms for that verse. There are also some early manuscripts that do not even have Mark 16:9-20 in them. I think this verse is clear though, not specifically because of how it is worded, but based on the context of the scripture and other basic Hermeneutical principals. I think to hyper focus on handling snakes is an oversight. You may call reading between the lines, an attempt for Christians to try to explain themselves out of things that they don't agree with, but I tend to look at it more holistically. The point of our mission is to reach people (and this is echoed in every corner of scripture) not to be Jesus magicians who can wow people with signs and wonders. That being said I do believe that signs and wonders can, and do, happen today. I will concede that there are what appear to be inconsistencies in scripture and that is where one must have faith that the Bible is "God Breathed". Faith is no doubt a major role in the equation but translation and understanding of the scriptures from Greek and Hebrew to English is highly complicated (take it from me I am in seminary).

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I have no issue with anything you said. I do with the arrogance of "the Bible is clear" statements when it is pared to support ones beliefs ... Yet, if the words are questioned... Then you get huffyness and how dare yous.

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I never said, "How dare you" or even hinted at it. It seems as if you have an axe to grind with the Bible and Christians and you are going to play jailhouse lawyer to strain at every word to prove your point. You know...the exact same thing you accuse us of doing?

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...and back to the topic. If we are going to allow Chaplins, they should rotate them every year so the Muslims and the Mormons get a shot at soul recruiting as well. Nothing fosters team unity like some creepy older dude telling you that you are going to hell unless you join their team.

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Getting back to this subject....I asked a question several times and you seem to gloss over or ignore it. Is the FCA not a voluntary activity or do the players have to attend? More often than not, Christian athletes are the ones that attend. if enough Muslim players want a Muslim Iman to be around, I'm sure they would allow one to come and speak with them.

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The FCA is voluntary, but the Chaplin is not. He is part of the staff as well as the FCA.

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I am not familiar with how it works at Georgia, but I thought the article said that he is not paid, receives no tickets...if this is correct, how does this make him part of the staff?

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I have an axe to grind with 13% Christians.

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Out of curiosity... you seem to be against Evangelicals that say you must believe in Christ. That He died on the cross for our sins and rose three days later and that you must turn your life over to Christ to be a Christian. What is your impression of how someone becomes a Christian?

Look. I am not trying to ridicule you, or chastise you....I am genuinely curious of your definition of how to become a Christian and how it fits with the Bible.

You don't have to be paid to be part of the staff. Coach Hartman coached kickers for years for free. He was still a coach.

I'm surprised you are still looking for some sort of out here... It is pretty clear cut. More so than Matt and Mark...

Kevin “Chappy” Hynes (FCA)

Kevin Hynes serves with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Players, coaches, staff, and friends refer to Kevin as Chappy. He and his wife Mikki, have a son Elijah and a daughter Noelle. He is an ordained minister and a graduate of the Florida Baptist Theological College. Chappy serves Christ as Chaplain on the campus of the University of Georgia for the Bulldog Football Team. Chappy serves his community as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff where he also serves as Chaplain to the Oconee Co Sheriffs Office. Chappy served his country in the United States Marine Corps and currently serves as Chaplain to the Marine Corps League Det #1083 Athens Ga. Chappy serves as Chaplain to the Saints and Staff at High Shoals Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bishop. Chappy’s passion is to see people humbly come to GOD through an authentic and personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST in hopes that they will grow and use their influence to impact others for the Kingdom!

Last Wednesday, May 16, my son, Thomas, and I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Kevin "Chappy" Hynes and his son, Elijah.

Chappy is the ordained minister who serves as the chaplain for the University of Georgia football team. He is married to Mark Richt's sister, Mikki, and he arrived in Athens with Coach Richt in 2001.

I first became aware of Chappy's work through his report to the A.F.C.A. in January. From his office at the corner of Milledge Avenue and Springdale Street, he and the rest of the staff of Team United coordinate the unified efforts of Athletes in Action, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Georgia Athletes Outreach, which now work together to further the spiritual growth of student-athletes who have responded voluntarily to the invitation to make the Lord a part of their lives.

I contacted Chappy earlier this year and asked if I could interview him about the work that he is doing to spread the Good News of the Gospel. As a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church and a great admirer of Coach Richt for his Christian faith, I wanted to do what I could to publicize Chappy's service. He was receptive to my request, but, instead of replying to written interview questions, he preferred to meet face to face.

When we were attempting to work out a time for us to sit down together, Chappy asked me during a telephone conversation whether I was married and had children. I told him I was married and had a four-year-old son. He replied that he had a son who was six years old and suggested that I bring Thomas over to Athens for a tour of the football facilities, during which our sons could play together and we could talk.

Naturally, I leapt at the opportunity. Chappy was a gracious host, guiding us through the lower floors of Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall and showing Thomas and me the coaches' offices, the team meeting room, the locker room, the weight room, and the practice field. We were unable to meet Coach Richt because he was out of town on the 2007 Dawg Days Tour at the time, but we got to go into Coach Richt's office and we met tight ends coach David Johnson and strength and conditioning coach Dave Van Halanger.

I was spending the day in my favorite place (Athens) with my favorite person (Thomas), so I was in no hurry, which was a good thing, because Chappy knows everybody and he takes the time to speak to everyone. No matter who crossed his path, Chappy had a moment for everyone from coaches to complete strangers.

He was equally outgoing and forthright in offering his testimony when we sat down together, so much so that my questions served mostly as mere prompts that got him talking about his faith and the works to which his faith has led him, in accordance with James 2:20.