Can you imagine being fired from your coaching job because you prayed on the football field? Religious freedom is under attack, but we’re fighting hard to ensure the inalienable rights of every American. Minnesota Family Council and twenty-eight other state Family Policy Councils are joining forces with Family Policy Alliance in favor of Coach Joseph Kennedy, who was fired from a public school in Bremington, WA because he prayed briefly at the 50-yard line after football games. You can read the brief here.
Once, several of Coach Kennedy’s students inquired if they could pray with him and he readily agreed, stating that we live in a free country.
Following this event, Coach Kennedy’s employer at the public school informed him that he was not permitted to pray publicly going forward. While he did act in accordance with the order at first, it was not long before Coach Kennedy became firmly convinced that their orders were unjust under the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to the freedom of speech and religion. With this growing conviction, Coach Kennedy boldly continued public prayer.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before the school district fired him, citing the Establishment Clause. However, it is important to note that the Supreme Court’s precedent with this clause has been thrown by the wayside. In modern America, SCOTUS has interpreted this clause based on the belief that religious pluralism requires neutrality. It is clear that this attack on religious freedom is not neutral, and Coach Kennedy has been singled out for his Christian beliefs.
As Christians, this is reminiscent of Daniel’s faithfulness towards God even when he was instructed by those in authority not to pray. The key difference for us, however, is that Coach Kennedy lives in a country that claims to uphold religious liberty and freedom of speech.
That’s why we are taking this fight to the Supreme Court along with our allies. It is clear that it is unjust for a coach to be fired for a brief prayer before a game. But it is even clearer that if Coach Kennedy’s religious freedom can be trampled upon this easily it is only a matter of time before we, too, see these effects in daily life.
This attack on religious liberty must end. We know that Americans like Coach Kennedy deserve better. Our vision for Minnesotans is a culture where their freedom is cherished and protected–please boldly join us in prayer as we fight on the frontlines.
(Image: First Liberty Institute)
