Posted on Apr 25, 2022
The Supreme Court ponders the right to pray on the 50-yard line
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https://www.npr.org/2022/04/25/ [login to see] /the-supreme-court-ponders-the-right-to-pray-on-the-50-yard-line
The U.S. Supreme Court jumps back into the culture wars Monday in a case that involves a football coach's asserted right to kneel and pray on the 50-yard line at the conclusion of a public school football game.
Joseph Kennedy, a coach for the Bremerton, Wash., High School Varsity and JV football teams began praying with his players before and after games in 2008. At the end of a game, he would take a knee and say a prayer with his players at midfield.
By the 2015 season, Kennedy was often joined at the 50-yard line as well by players from the opposing team. Indeed, it was an approving comment by an opposing coach that finally alerted school district officials to the practice.
The U.S. Supreme Court jumps back into the culture wars Monday in a case that involves a football coach's asserted right to kneel and pray on the 50-yard line at the conclusion of a public school football game.
Joseph Kennedy, a coach for the Bremerton, Wash., High School Varsity and JV football teams began praying with his players before and after games in 2008. At the end of a game, he would take a knee and say a prayer with his players at midfield.
By the 2015 season, Kennedy was often joined at the 50-yard line as well by players from the opposing team. Indeed, it was an approving comment by an opposing coach that finally alerted school district officials to the practice.
The Supreme Court ponders the right to pray on the 50-yard line
Posted from npr.org
Religion
Christianity
Supreme Court
Football
Bremerton
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 9
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."The school orders Kennedy to stop
That prompted the athletic director, and later the superintendent, to order the coaching staff to stop praying with students. Kennedy stopped his locker room prayers completely, and for a least one game left the home field, returning later when the crowds had gone, to pray by himself on the 50-yard line.
But the Marine veteran didn't like doing it that way.
"I fought and defended the Constitution, and the thought of leaving the field of battle where the guys just played and having to go and hide my faith because it was uncomfortable to somebody — that's just not America," he said in an interview with NPR.
So Kennedy returned to his praying practice right after the game, mainly at away games, and with little fanfare. By the time of the big homecoming game, Kennedy had retained lawyers from the First Liberty Institute. In a letter to school officials, they said that the coach had a constitutional right to pray on the 50-yard line at the end of the game, and that students should be free to voluntarily join in.
In the lead up to the game, Kennedy embraced his newfound celebrity, making repeated media appearances. In a subsequent deposition, he described this media activity as "spreading the word about what was going on in Bremerton."...
..."The school orders Kennedy to stop
That prompted the athletic director, and later the superintendent, to order the coaching staff to stop praying with students. Kennedy stopped his locker room prayers completely, and for a least one game left the home field, returning later when the crowds had gone, to pray by himself on the 50-yard line.
But the Marine veteran didn't like doing it that way.
"I fought and defended the Constitution, and the thought of leaving the field of battle where the guys just played and having to go and hide my faith because it was uncomfortable to somebody — that's just not America," he said in an interview with NPR.
So Kennedy returned to his praying practice right after the game, mainly at away games, and with little fanfare. By the time of the big homecoming game, Kennedy had retained lawyers from the First Liberty Institute. In a letter to school officials, they said that the coach had a constitutional right to pray on the 50-yard line at the end of the game, and that students should be free to voluntarily join in.
In the lead up to the game, Kennedy embraced his newfound celebrity, making repeated media appearances. In a subsequent deposition, he described this media activity as "spreading the word about what was going on in Bremerton."...
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
SGT (Join to see) History is an Amazing Thing, Far Left of this Picture is CTO1 Wm "Chip" Nagel, Far Right is CTM1. YN1 Shaw was Beloved in the First Class Mess USS California CGN-36, Great Loss to the Crew.
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SGT (Join to see)
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel - and can be just as corrupt... depending on the "atmosphere".
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SGT (Join to see)
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel - Sorry for the loss of a friend... may he continue to Rest In Peace.
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Here’s the standard:
Today, what constitutes an "establishment of religion" is often governed under the three-part test set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court in Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971). Under the "Lemon" test, government can assist religion only if (1) the primary purpose of the assistance is secular, (2) the assistance must neither promote nor inhibit religion, and (3) there is no excessive entanglement between church and state.
From my perspective, this fails all three tests.
Today, what constitutes an "establishment of religion" is often governed under the three-part test set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court in Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971). Under the "Lemon" test, government can assist religion only if (1) the primary purpose of the assistance is secular, (2) the assistance must neither promote nor inhibit religion, and (3) there is no excessive entanglement between church and state.
From my perspective, this fails all three tests.
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Hopefully the Supreme court upholds it's decision from 60 years ago. NO SCHOOL SPONSORED PRAYER. PERIOD!. Kennedy fought and defended the constitution but clearly doesn't understand it.
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SPC Joseph Kopac
I was always uncomfortable about school prayer in grade school. The Lords Prayer was different at the end compared to what I was taught as a Catholic. I wonder if the players thought it was their obligation to the coach to pray. So, who do you pray to as a team ?Christian, Moslem, Hindu, Mormon, Satan, or Scientology ? Religion belongs at church or your home. Not to be forced onto others. Our country does have a separation of church and state. Very important. Many wars were fought over religion.
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