The Supreme Court punts on religious liberty

Flash said:
Does it matter that it was a Christian prayer? It is legally equivalent if the others voluntarily joined the prayer. The point is that in this case the government was not promoting but opposing his activity so there was no establishment violation. The government made an effort to stop his prayer so any perceptions of coercion would be stopped.

That seemed like an issue between the coach and school district. He left because he did not accept their decision. Which governmental entity violated the establishment clause?
Click to expand...

I always wonder why people who want to force religion on others think it good for others.
 
BidenPresident said:
I always wonder why people who want to force religion on others think it good for others.
Click to expand...

Who wants to force it on others? I think testimony showed players and others joined him voluntarily. Relatively few people actually participated so it didn't seem forced. Because of that concern the school district ordered him to stop and he left his job.

I have not yet read the decision itself. Often, the case contains information not included in media coverage which helps understand the reasoning.
 
Flash said:
Who wants to force it on others? I think testimony showed players and others joined him voluntarily. Relatively few people actually participated so it didn't seem forced. Because of that concern the school district ordered him to stop and he left his job.

I have not yet read the decision itself. Often, the case contains information not included in media coverage which helps understand the reasoning.
Click to expand...

I don't get why he needs to make a spectacle of himself?
 
AProudLefty said:
People do not go to games for church services.
Click to expand...

Very true, that is why almost everybody leaves after the game except the relatively few (mostly players) who choose to meet with the coach for a prayer. Nothing is being imposed on anybody. It would be no different (legally) if the players voluntarily chose to gather for a prayer after (or before) the game.
 
Flash said:
Very true, that is why almost everybody leaves after the game except the relatively few (mostly players) who choose to meet with the coach for a prayer. Nothing is being imposed on anybody. It would be no different (legally) if the players voluntarily chose to gather for a prayer after (or before) the game.
Click to expand...

It all sounds good but it's much more than that. He is not the lone one as they want people to believe.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/the-myth-at-the-heart-of-the-praying-bremerton-coach-case/%3famp=1
 
Flash said:
Very true, that is why almost everybody leaves after the game except the relatively few (mostly players) who choose to meet with the coach for a prayer. Nothing is being imposed on anybody. It would be no different (legally) if the players voluntarily chose to gather for a prayer after (or before) the game.
Click to expand...

Why does he need to pray in public?
 
AProudLefty said:
It all sounds good but it's much more than that. He is not the lone one as they want people to believe.
Click to expand...

Well, hey, if it will get you a state championship.

I don't think free speech/religion is limited to the number of people who can participate. Being the lone one is irrelevant. If the school district had approved his group prayer, that would be an establishment clause violation, but the school tried to prohibit that activity.

Would you approve if everyone ran on the field and engaged in prayer voluntarily without being led by a school employee? Students can have prayer at graduation ceremonies if it is a student led activity.
 
Flash said:
Well, hey, if it will get you a state championship.

I don't think free speech/religion is limited to the number of people who can participate. Being the lone one is irrelevant. If the school district had approved his group prayer, that would be an establishment clause violation, but the school tried to prohibit that activity.

Would you approve if everyone ran on the field and engaged in prayer voluntarily without being led by a school employee? Students can have prayer at graduation ceremonies if it is a student led activity.
Click to expand...

The coach is an employee of the school district. You seem to ignore this simple fact.
 
Flash said:
Well, hey, if it will get you a state championship.

I don't think free speech/religion is limited to the number of people who can participate. Being the lone one is irrelevant. If the school district had approved his group prayer, that would be an establishment clause violation, but the school tried to prohibit that activity.

Would you approve if everyone ran on the field and engaged in prayer voluntarily without being led by a school employee? Students can have prayer at graduation ceremonies if it is a student led activity.
Click to expand...

Sure I would approve of that. But it's a coach with Christian faith. He's a leader. Not every player is Christian. There is no balance.
 
BidenPresident said:
The coach is an employee of the school district. You seem to ignore this simple fact.
Click to expand...

That is why the school district prohibited the activity--because an activity performed by an employee could be interpreted as promoting religious activity. It would be as equally a violation even if students representing all religious groups were allowed to pray.

No governmental entity had a policy allowing or promoting religion. One employee engaged in that behavior and was not rehired.
 
Flash said:
That is why the school district prohibited the activity--because an activity performed by an employee could be interpreted as promoting religious activity. It would be as equally a violation even if students representing all religious groups were allowed to pray.

No governmental entity had a policy allowing or promoting religion. One employee engaged in that behavior and was not rehired.
Click to expand...

I really don't know what your point is here.

It is obvious this Christian coach is trying to impose his religion on others. My question is, why does he need to do this. He is violating the teaching of Jesus. So, what's his agenda?
 
AProudLefty said:
Sure I would approve of that. But it's a coach with Christian faith. He's a leader. Not every player is Christian. There is no balance.
Click to expand...

Agreed, although students were not required to participate. The 1st Amendment does not require balance, it requires neutrality. That is why the district told him to stop.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top