Bus Driver Insists That Passengers Pray

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Atlanta public bus driver Leroy Matthews has been suspended for five days because he stopped the bus for five minutes and insisted that passengers hold hands while he led them in prayer.

Posted by caligula at 06:30 PM | 65 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry

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caligula

Hugh M. Kramer

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Joined 2009/10/27
Visited 2009/11/18

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Christian terrorist.
I hope they have a nice cozy cell for him. Complete with enhanced interrogation techniques so we can find out about other Christian terrorist plots that even now may be ready to appear, hopefully not in the form of a mushroom cloud.......

#1 | Posted by briwo at 2009-11-07 12:43 PM | Reply | Flag:

Well bless his heart and soul!

j/k - this is what one of our pastor friends says to say when another Christian does something totally beyond the pale.

#2 | Posted by nanc at 2009-11-07 12:46 PM | Reply | Flag:

What a fucking asshole. lol. Can't we just deport these bible-thumping buffoons?

#3 | Posted by nullifidian at 2009-11-07 12:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

What a fucking asshole. lol. Can't we just deport these bible-thumping buffoons?

He's not a bible-thumper, he's just a big Doors fan and decided to 'petition the Lord with prayer.'

#4 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2009-11-07 12:56 PM | Reply | Flag:

The last DR post of the examiner was a complete brainless debacle; so let's hear the chant: 'if once we fail, then try, try, try again'

Drudge

#5 | Posted by L_RContrarian at 2009-11-07 06:17 PM | Reply | Flag:

You might want to double-check the story before you post an admitted atheist biggot's slanted lies.

Examiner.com:
Bus driver holds passengers hostage for prayer
November 7, 9:04 AMLA Atheism Examiner Hugh Krame

Driver Suspended.
A MARTA driver was suspended for five days because passengers said LeRoy Matthews insisted that they hold hands while he led them in prayer.

As the passenger, whose name was not released, approached the front of the bus, Matthews, who has been with MARTA six years, stood from his seat and asked everyone to hold hands for a brief word of prayer.

The prayer lasted four to five minutes.

What they prayed for or about is unclear, said Harris.

It is also unclear whether this has happened before.

#6 | Posted by L_RContrarian at 2009-11-07 06:27 PM | Reply | Flag:

It is also unclear whether this has happened before.

#6 | Posted by L_RContrarian

That's all fine if what he was praying about came true. Let's check the stats;

World hunger; still here
Gays; still alive
His wife to give him more head; nope (and he is still fat)
Abortions; still happening
Jesse Jackson; still alive
Lynyrd Skynyrd; still dead

So, as you can see, none of his prayers came true.

#7 | Posted by Lipzoidial at 2009-11-08 09:26 AM | Reply | Flag:

You might want to double-check the story before you post an admitted atheist biggot's slanted lies.

What lies? Here are two mainline news sources for you to do your double-checking in:

www.cbsatlanta.com

www.ajc.com

#8 | Posted by caligula at 2009-11-08 11:34 AM | Reply | Flag:

#8 cligua
perhaps you should re-read #6. The exact same AJC link was the source I posted and provided the mainstream fair version of the story. Please do take a look and find the discrepancy as noted.

#9 | Posted by L_RContrarian at 2009-11-08 01:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

No discrepancy to note. No lie either. No one was allowed to leave until the prayer was finished. Here's the relevant parts from the Associated Press story (italics are mine):

An Atlanta city bus driver has been suspended for five days after passengers said he insisted they hold hands as he led them in prayer.

...when a passenger approached the front of the bus when it stopped around 7:30 p.m., Matthews stood and asked everyone to hold hands for a brief prayer. The complaint says the prayer lasted four to five minutes.

#10 | Posted by caligula at 2009-11-08 02:01 PM | Reply | Flag:

L_R_NoClueTrartian. STFU.

#11 | Posted by LetUsPrey at 2009-11-08 04:07 PM | Reply | Flag:

Forcing people to pray is a serious offense while killing people because you are a Palestinian Muslim terrorist is OK according to the whacky left.

#12 | Posted by fwthom at 2009-11-08 06:44 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Christian terrorist.
I hope they have a nice cozy cell for him. Complete with enhanced interrogation techniques so we can find out about other Christian terrorist plots hopefully not in the form of a mushroom cloud......."

LOL. Speaking of mushrooms, how was this last batch for you?

The actions of this Christian were not appropriate obviously BUT the above is very telling of the intolerant on the Left.

Best be prepared if you come to get some of those your ilk abhor. 2nd Amendment and all that you know. You are the type I would think would rush a church with guns to prove your point. Well, many are now ready for you.

Praise the Lord and pass the ammo now has new meaning

#13 | Posted by The_Chapel at 2009-11-08 06:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

Follow up headline.

Passengers insist Bus Driver produce psych evaluation certificate.

At the very least notify them of what catastrophic event that will soon occur that will kill them all.

In either case I want a psych evaluation.

#14 | Posted by KnightHawk at 2009-11-08 07:15 PM | Reply | Flag:

Praying I don't have a problem with, but when they start passing the hat, you know you have been suckered by a phony Baptist.

#15 | Posted by RingMaster at 2009-11-08 07:21 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Forcing people to pray is a serious offense while killing people because you are a Palestinian Muslim terrorist is OK according to the whacky left."

Fwthom:

In what alternate universe do you live?

#16 | Posted by MaryTylerWhore at 2009-11-08 07:26 PM | Reply | Flag:

If the guy had a prayer rug this wouldn't even make the news. Allah Akar.

#17 | Posted by Kspeck3 at 2009-11-08 07:44 PM | Reply | Flag:

I had rather have someone hold me up for a few minutes to pray any day, than have some nut hold me up for a minute to rob, carjack, and shoot me, or cut my throat...

#18 | Posted by Dr_Feelgood at 2009-11-08 07:46 PM | Reply | Flag:

Wonder what his driving record was?--- probably praying for his passengers.

#19 | Posted by matsop at 2009-11-08 07:52 PM | Reply | Flag:

#18 | Posted by Dr_Feelgood

Hey Doc, you ever meet some douchebag named Professor Bates?

#20 | Posted by nullifidian at 2009-11-08 07:52 PM | Reply | Flag:

#3----"what a----"--- probably praying for people like nullified who have an obvious hatred for anything that symbolizes religion.

#21 | Posted by matsop at 2009-11-08 07:54 PM | Reply | Flag:

Besides being obnoxious if this bus driver holds someone against their will until they pray that can be taken as kidnapping which I believe is a Federal offense.

Any passenger subjected to this drivers acts ought to do at least 2 things. First see about suing the bus line if they do not fire this nut job. Second see about filing Federal kidnapping charges against him.

#22 | Posted by Massai at 2009-11-08 07:56 PM | Reply | Flag:

#22--- what are you, a lawyer---- what an overreaction- letting the busline know would be appropriate and then having a chuckle about an unusual life experience would be next in order-- the visceral reaction from some belies an internal insecurity--- they should be pitied.

#23 | Posted by matsop at 2009-11-08 08:06 PM | Reply | Flag:

I think at that point he has some sort of incapacitating brain damage that raises the question...why the hell is he driving a public bus?

#24 | Posted by yougothurt at 2009-11-08 08:17 PM | Reply | Flag:

#24--- now that's a valid point and why a lot of the over-reactive responses on this subject are unfeeling and out of line.

#25 | Posted by matsop at 2009-11-08 08:20 PM | Reply | Flag:

He was probably on overtime pay and the bus was ahead of schedule and he asked God what to do and naturally God said Pray.

#26 | Posted by sitdown at 2009-11-08 08:23 PM | Reply | Flag:

#17 kspeck,18 drfeelgood
good points

#27 | Posted by L_RContrarian at 2009-11-08 08:53 PM | Reply | Flag:

#1 | Posted by briwo

Wow--a bit on the hyperbole side today Brian?

Was someone shot?

Was anyone killed?

Now he shouldn't be doing that --asking people to pray on the bus.

But terrorist??

pfft...

#28 | Posted by MURPHY at 2009-11-08 08:54 PM | Reply | Flag:

Atlanta public bus driver Leroy Matthews has been suspended for five days because he stopped the bus for five minutes and insisted that passengers hold hands while he led them in prayer.

Obviously the work of marxist atheist liberals, trying to stifle free speech and kill the constitution while implementing Sharia law. Pass the ammo.

#29 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2009-11-08 09:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

Pray that you'll survive my terrible driving. Otherwise I'll roll this thing.

#30 | Posted by nutcase at 2009-11-08 09:23 PM | Reply | Flag:

As a recovering Atlantan, I can say that the real offense here was making these people pray when they were already prayed out.

Anyone who rides MARTA has to pray they don't get mugged at the station, they have to pray the connecting bus isn't pulling out of the station just as their train arrives, they have to pray there's room on the bus if there is one, they have to pray the A/C on the bus works when it's 92 degrees out, and they have to pray it's not after six o'clock or on a weekend if they need to get anywhere, because MARTA's service becomes something worse than sketchy at such times.

#31 | Posted by MaryTylerWhore at 2009-11-08 09:25 PM | Reply | Flag:

That's all fine if what he was praying about came true.

Pick 3? A hummer from the wifey?

The important things you need to ask God for.

#32 | Posted by northguy3 at 2009-11-08 10:10 PM | Reply | Flag:

#31--- Mary, now that was one of your more enlightening posts.

#33 | Posted by matsop at 2009-11-08 10:42 PM | Reply | Flag:

He's not a bible-thumper, he's just a big Doors fan and decided to 'petition the Lord with prayer.'

Petition the lord with prayer? Petition the lord with prayer?! You cannot petition the lord with prayer!

#34 | Posted by ZombieHunter at 2009-11-09 12:02 AM | Reply | Flag:

Petition the lord with prayer? Petition the lord with prayer?! You cannot petition the lord with prayer!

#34 | Posted by ZombieHunter

Not even if it's in triplicate and notarized?

#35 | Posted by Gimme_a_Scotch at 2009-11-09 12:08 AM | Reply | Flag:

#34 - The Lord's Prayer is full of petitions:

prayer: reverent petition to a deity

The more the merrier!

#36 | Posted by nanc at 2009-11-09 12:12 AM | Reply | Flag:

Keep thy bullshit religion to thy self.

Go to church.

I don't care.

#37 | Posted by Shawn at 2009-11-09 01:57 AM | Reply | Flag:

Good be spread if you descend to get many of those your ilk abhor. 2nd Amendment and all that you couple. You are the type I would believe would race a service with guns to evidence your point. Vessel, more are now willing for you.
===============
Shawn matthews
buy forclosed homes

#38 | Posted by shawn_matthews at 2009-11-09 02:03 AM | Reply | Flag:

Keep thy bullshit religion to thy self.

That goes for left-wing, wanna-be anarchist shit, too.

Jesus Christ.

I'll take a self-righteous Baptist over that silly shit any day!

#39 | Posted by Jak_Se_Mao at 2009-11-09 02:05 AM | Reply | Flag:

I'll take a self-righteous Baptist over that thilly shit any day!

You didn't bend your wrist when you said that, did you?

#40 | Posted by jpw at 2009-11-09 02:21 AM | Reply | Flag:

All the christians whine, "what's the big deal? It was just a prayer, wawawawawa." But the story would be a hell of a lot different if he held them up while preying to Allah or Buddah or Thor or Heccate or any other God besides their precious "father," the story would be different indeed. The driver would have been immediately fired and probably would never even have made the news.

#41 | Posted by missesmerelda at 2009-11-09 02:21 AM | Reply | Flag:

*Take a Walk on the Wild (Riled) Side!!!

If you love abuse and humiliation then give up your car and start riding the bus - you'll get lots and lots,both from the bus drivers and the passengers!!!

#42 | Posted by AntiCadillac at 2009-11-09 03:24 AM | Reply | Flag:

the bus didn't get blown up,so praying must of worked.

#43 | Posted by semtex111 at 2009-11-09 07:37 AM | Reply | Flag:

Only in America.

The passengers must have thought they had somehow become extras in a Coen Brothers movie.

#44 | Posted by brock at 2009-11-09 09:08 AM | Reply | Flag:

If I had been a passenger on his route and he pulled some shit like making me wait to exit until I prayed there most likely would have been some assault charges filed against me (and then later dropped) because as an American I will have no restraint put upon me by anyone. Man, that makes my skin crawl. Who the hell does he think he is controlling folks like that? SOB needs to be taken down a couple of notches. I hope major suits are filed against MARTA and their employee. No religious expression OF ANY KIND tied into any state authority. It's the physical control aspect of this that riles me the most.

#45 | Posted by UpL8 at 2009-11-09 09:55 AM | Reply | Flag:

the bus driver is lucky he wasn't stabbed for this.

#46 | Posted by jackass at 2009-11-09 10:08 AM | Reply | Flag:

the bus driver is lucky he wasn't stabbed for this.

Posted by jackass at 2009-11-09 10:08 AM | Reply HE WAS IN MY VIDEO GAME: BUS DRIVER III

#47 | Posted by The_Chapel at 2009-11-09 10:19 AM | Reply | Flag:

Forcing people to pray is a serious offense while killing people because you are a Palestinian Muslim terrorist is OK according to the whacky left.

#12 | Posted by fwthom

"I make shit up to support my moronic agenda."
-fwthom

#48 | Posted by RastaCyborg at 2009-11-09 10:41 AM | Reply | Flag:

"I make shit up to support my moronic agenda."
-fwthom

He'll be making it up somewhere else until after Turkey Day.

#49 | Posted by Corky at 2009-11-09 10:45 AM | Reply | Flag:

what an overreaction-

#23 | Posted by matsop

I totally disagree. This was a government employee and the Constitution guarantees me freedom from your religion.

#50 | Posted by Redman at 2009-11-09 12:21 PM | Reply | Flag:

Pray to what?Tell this bus driver we've been to space and there's nobody up there.

#51 | Posted by CaptainNemo at 2009-11-09 12:24 PM | Reply | Flag:

How bad of a driver is this guy that he insists you pray with him?

#52 | Posted by COMMONSENSE at 2009-11-09 12:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

Forcing people to pray is a serious offense while killing people because you are a Palestinian Muslim terrorist is OK according to the whacky left.
.........#12 | Posted by fwthom

.....actually both are identical........

....religion deluded idiots forcing others to share their delusion........

#53 | Posted by skizziks at 2009-11-09 01:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

Tell this bus driver we've been to space and there's nobody up there.

#51 | Posted by CaptainNemo at 2009-11-09 12:24 PM

Hmm, most atheists would suggest that it's statistically likely there are some other life forms out there, since we've only explored a very small part of the Universe. Maybe you know something we don't.

#54 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2009-11-09 03:56 PM | Reply | Flag:

Only in America.

#44 | Posted by brock at 2009-11-09 09:08 AM

No... it probably happens in Iran as well. Often, in fact.

But at least in the US the dipshit got a wrist slap. I agree, he should be canned (or how about caned?). Let his Gawd find him a new jawb. Just more incentive to stay as far from the US South as geographically possible.

#55 | Posted by bellaspapa at 2009-11-09 04:10 PM | Reply | Flag:

Hmm, most atheists would suggest that it's statistically likely there are some other life forms out there,...

#55 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2009-11-09 03:56 PM

yes... "life" forms. Not imaginary pixies with the power to create planets on a whim.

#56 | Posted by bellaspapa at 2009-11-09 04:12 PM | Reply | Flag:

No... it probably happens in Iran as well. Often, in fact.

#56 | Posted by bellaspapa

In Iran these things and worse do happen as they did in the Shah's Iran and Saddam's Iraq and as they do in Saudi Arabia today. Yet we are allies with the Saudis and were with the Shah's Iran and Saddam's Iraq when it suited us or certain industrial interests in our country.

Things change. Just because Iran has not played ball with us or we with them doesn't automatically make them part of an axis of evil whatever a previous president might have said. See Vietnam, China, Japan, Germany and Russia for other similar situations. But not Cuba, something to do with a voting bloc in S. Florida I believe.

#57 | Posted by brock at 2009-11-09 05:02 PM | Reply | Flag:

yes... "life" forms. Not imaginary pixies with the power to create planets on a whim.

#57 | Posted by bellaspapa at 2009-11-09 04:12 PM

Your clarification wasn't needed since my post was about "atheists," space, and "life forms" already. I.E., I wasn't talking about pixies or even gods. The emotional satisfaction you're feeling from posting such inane, redundant drivel indicates that you are too easily entertained.

#58 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2009-11-09 05:03 PM | Reply | Flag:

Dear Lord, help me make it to my bus stop. Amen.

#59 | Posted by grumpy_too at 2009-11-09 07:45 PM | Reply | Flag:

Dear Lord, help me make it to my bus stop. Amen.

Hahahaha

"Attention passengers, I'd like you to join hands and begin praying for the brakes to start working again."

#60 | Posted by ZombieHunter at 2009-11-09 07:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

PRAISE DA LAWD!!!!!

-The Chapel/Niceville

#61 | Posted by briwo at 2009-11-09 07:52 PM | Reply | Flag:

"I make shit up to support my moronic agenda."
-fwthom

He'll be making it up somewhere else until after Turkey Day.

#49 | Posted by Corky at 2009-11-09 10:45 AM | Reply | Flag: Flag: (Choose)
FunnyNewsworthyOffensiveAbusiv
e

LOL

the new 21 day dump huh Cork?

Got a kick outta that

#62 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2009-11-09 08:24 PM | Reply | Flag:

#59 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2009-11-09 05:03 PM

cute, but, fact is, Cpt Nemo said:

"Tell this bus driver we've been to space and there's nobody up there."

meaning "God(s)", or perhaps pixies, obviously. Unless I'm really missing something here.

And that elicited your comment about extraterrestrial, flesh-and-blood "lifeforms", which a God is not, not in my book anyway. Your reply was a frivolous non-sequitur, clearly intended for your own entertainment. Chuckle. Chuckle.

So, sorry, but my clarification was as cogent and appropriate as pretty much anything ever gets at this place.

#63 | Posted by bellaspapa at 2009-11-10 04:58 AM | Reply | Flag:

gets "posted"...

#64 | Posted by bellaspapa at 2009-11-10 06:30 AM | Reply | Flag:

Damn, why can't this happen to me? He would have opened those doors with my foot in his ass! He also would have been praying that I didn't pummel him so bad that he would be with his god very soon!! Oh yeah, I can afford my own car and don't need to have thihs scum drive me around.

#65 | Posted by Liberal_Mongrel at 2009-11-10 09:14 AM | Reply | Flag: