The Precedents against prayers in public school

Although the precedents against prayers in public school have long been established (Lemon vs. Kurtzman), the United States Supreme Court once again addressed this very issue recently.  In short, after each game, Football Coach Joseph Kennedy (Bremerton, WA) would take a moment and kneel at the fifty-yard-line to pray.  Soon after, players and other coaches started joining him after the game.  When the school board found out later, they offered a private space for the coach to pray, or encouraged him to just wait and pray once all the spectators left.  The concern would be that students would fear some sort of implicit coercion (you know the same way you may feel if someone in authority over you asks you your political views, and because they hold this power over you, you’re consequently afraid of answering ‘wrongly’ and being targeted as a result).

In addition, the Athletic Coordinator for the school was told that any expression of religious faith on school grounds would have to be led by students and not employees of the school district.  The coach then posted on social media if felt he would be fired.  The coach continued the practice for a couple more games, even as the issue began to draw a lot of attention in that community. The board ultimately decided not to renew his contract.

So, what are your thoughts?  Do you believe public employees should have the right to openly display religious practices (like prayer or bible study) in front of students on school grounds or at school function?  Is that a violation of the establishment clause?  Or is there such an emphasis on the ‘separation of church and state’ that state funded institutions such as schools and government buildings have become openly hostile towards people practicing their faith (like prayer or leading a bible study) on public grounds?

 

Articles:

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/06/27/supreme-court-school-prayer-texas/amp/ (Links to an external site.)

https://www.lenconnect.com/story/opinion/columns/2022/07/31/james-pfister-praying-coach-free-expression-establishment-religion/10188767002/ (Links to an external site.)

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-07-05/editorial-supreme-court-ruling-school-prayer?_amp=true (Links to an external site.)

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/kennedy-victory-for-religious-freedom