I watched coach Kennedy pray with students. It wasn't OK, whatever the court says

[Jilly_in_VA]

By Paul Peterson, father of four former Bremerton High School students

I’m a very proud parent. Several of my children were in the marching band and my son played junior varsity football, so my wife and I spent many Friday nights listening to the band and cheering on the Bremerton High School Knights — our home team just across the Puget Sound from Seattle.

As proud as we are, I recognize those high school activities aren’t about me or the other adults, or even the teachers and coaches. The games are for the kids — the players on the field, the band and the students in the stands. And it’s those kids who have been largely left out of the conversation about the Supreme Court case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which has hung over our community for more than six years

I’m disappointed, though not terribly surprised, that the court found Monday that it was OK for the team’s former coach, Joseph Kennedy, to hold public prayers with student players on the 50-yard line after football games. In their 6-3 decision along ideological lines, the justices undermined the religious freedom of public school students in favor of those of their adult coach. I’m very concerned that public school teachers and coaches now won’t know where the line is between their private prayers and public religious displays that students will feel pressured to join.

I witnessed the team gatherings Kennedy led many times and assumed they were traditional postgame pep talks; the coach would stride to the school logo at center field and hold up a pair of helmets while the players would encircle him and take a knee. From the stands, I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but I assumed he was celebrating a game well played or motivating the players to come back stronger for the next game.

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/coach-kennedy-wins-supreme-court-case-praying-football-games-students-rcna35478

Please read the whole thing before commenting. This is from a parent who was there.

[cbabe]

1. Christians pray in private. Don't know what this guy is.

https://www.touchinglives.org › devotionals › praying-in-private

Praying in Private - Touching Lives
Feb 1, 2021Praying in Private February 1, 2021 "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:6 It is interesting to note that when Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, he first taught them where to pray.

[Jilly_in_VA]

3. I would hazard a guess

that he'd one of those Talibangelicals.

[eppur_se_muova]

8. Rightwingers go suddenly blind when they get to Matthew 6:1, and stay that way for several verses.

6 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you [a]openly.

The Model Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you [c]openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

[OldBaldy1701E]

11. I was about to point out

That Matthew 6:5 is the most important part of that stanza. They do it for their own popularity, not for any piety or devotion.

[SWBTATTReg]

2. I would just leave but that's me. Others may feel otherwise, etc., but IMHO, I get a little

mad/pissed off that someone else is telling me what to do w/ my personal religious beliefs and then showcase theirs (getting down on their knees in front of all of us, expecting us to follow?). Screw you.

There is a thing called personal freedom and I intend to play it to the hilt, that is, my personal freedom.

[Jilly_in_VA]

4. Kids often feel pressured

I was a pretty huffy teen and I might have stalked out, but not every kid feels they can, especially if it's their coach up there.

[Evolve Dammit]

12. Exactly what I would do as well. It's a game dickhead.

[twodogsbarking]

5. How about equal time for those who think religion is a sham.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. When my daughter was in high school, there was a high school coach who trained

the leaders of his team to lead the team in prayer before game time. That's how he went around the separation of church and state rule. His daughter played on the team so he would find out later how it all went down. So, if the other players would resisted, he would have known about it. They could have been afraid that it would have meant loss of player time, or some other kind of retaliation. He was a very conservative autocratic kind of guy.

So, what rights do the players have to not be part of these prayers, when these things are insidiously introduced as a team bonding experience? Do you want to be part of this team? Then pray with us and do not complain.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. Good editorial

The author points out that religious activity or lack of is a parental prerogative. The coach was taking it upon himself without parental consent. So much for family values.

[mopinko]

9. cant say gay, but feel free to praise the lord. got it.

damn, i'm glad my kids are grown.

[eppur_se_muova]

10. When the coach calls for prayer, look around and ask, "Which way is Mecca?". nt

Hey, SNL skit there !

[Evolve Dammit]

13. Now that would be classic!!