Coach led prayer on high school football field

[Noa]

He should not be allowed to do that.

Granted, it is a small enough issue to me that I find it unlikely I would ever be the one to raise a complaint about it. But since it has been raised, no he should not be allowed to do that. If he would like to do so he should get a job at a private school that supports it.

 

[Wirey]

Who thinks God would give a damn about a football game?

 

[Noa]

The same people that think god would care more about their country than another one?

 

[Mister Emu]

Not when it's on school property and led by a school employee.

Only if obligatory or pressured, perhaps even inviting them would be too much(which is absurd).

Oh yeah, well in that case, he doesn't have much of a chance.

Unless he is telling the truth and he goes over on his own and people join him or not as they will.

I agree. I understand. To me, he shouldn't be doing that. I'm sure there's no malice, BUT...then, where do we draw the line? Every other religion should have the 'right' to do so too?

Why shouldn't he pray? What right would people of other religions want? To pray? They have that right. No one is stopping them.

You draw the line where it violates the law.

What law does going after a game is over and praying violate? If he were saying "Alright guys huddle on the 50 for prayer" it would be one thing, but that isn't what he's claimed to be doing.

The students should probably do their religious prayers on their own.

If a group of students want to gather and pray on their own, that is fine.

What about when he prays and people join him? Is he not allowed to pray?

As if God would care for a football game, when there is so much suffering in the world, and what about the other team, ha.

Who thinks God would give a damn about a football game?

I'm getting a greater and greater impression that people haven't read the article. The prayer is after the game, thanking God for the kids and their safety, and maybe their victory, not before it.

 

[psychoslice]

After or before the game, what's the difference, it still means that God must of had something to do with it, or why would you even pray ?.

 

[Mister Emu]

or why would you even pray ?.

What a sad idea of prayer.

 

[psychoslice]

What a sad idea of prayer.

Its only sad to you, you need to know there's a man in the sky who is going to answer your prayers, if he does answer you thank him, if he doesn't you still thank him because that's his will , you really cannot go wrong can you lol.

 

[Mister Emu]

you need to know there's a man in the sky who is going to answer your prayers, if he does answer you thank him, if he doesn't you still thank him because that's his will

I cannot comprehend how sad my faith would be if that were my idea of prayer.

 

[psychoslice]

I cannot comprehend how sad my faith would be if that were my idea of prayer.

For me personally it was the other way around, I realized that I didn't have to bring a shopping list to the man in the sky, hoping he will give to me what is on my list, can't you take charge and responsibility of your own life ?.

 

[Mister Emu]

I feel as though you are misunderstanding me. I ask that you review what I have quoted and what I have said about it.

bring a shopping list to the man in the sky, hoping he will give to me what is on my list

Thinking this is prayer... that is what I mean.

 

[psychoslice]

I feel as though you are misunderstanding me. I ask that you review what I have quoted and what I have said about it.


Thinking this is prayer... that is what I mean.

Well I don't believe in prayer, and I said what I needed to say and if you agree or not I don't really care, your not the only one on this thread. .

 

[Skwim]

What law does going after a game is over and praying violate? If he were saying "Alright guys huddle on the 50 for prayer" it would be one thing, but that isn't what he's claimed to be doing.

The separation of church and state.

A school district's policy of permitting student-led, student-initiated prayer before football games is unconstitutional. It is also unconstitutional for a school official, including a coach, to initiate or lead a team in prayer. Nor may a school official ask a team member or any other student to initiate or lead a prayer before, during or after a public or school-sponsored athletic activity or event. It is also unconstitutional for a member of the clergy to offer prayers before or after public school athletic activities or events.
source​

 

[Skwim]

Who thinks God would give a damn about a football game?

And just what is it with praying at a game? Do these same people say a prayer in the parking lot after grocery shopping? How about upon leaving a movie theater? Or after having their car washed and detailed?

 

[Mister Emu]

Well I don't believe in prayer.

Good for you, I would still like to know if you have come to actually understand what it is I am saying though...

The separation of church and state.

It is also unconstitutional for a school official, including a coach, to initiate or lead a team in prayer. Nor may a school official ask a team member or any other student to initiate or lead a prayer before, during or after a public or school-sponsored athletic activity or event

Except he did agree to stop leading the team in prayer. He refused an order that he not pray silently without leading or involving any of the students.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Who gives a damn, really? As long as no one is forced to do it, I couldn't care less. People should grow up.

 

[Shad]

A high-school football coach tends to be just the gym-teacher, who's coaching more or less on his or her own time. Most highschool fields are also public property. If the coach is there on their own time, they're not an employee. And it's not being done on school time, either. They're all there as private individuals.

He wasn't there on his own time as indicted by the whole team being dressed for practice which is part of the football program. He broke the law.

 

[Skwim]

Except he did agree to stop leading the team in prayer. He refused an order that he not pray silently without leading or involving any of the students.

I wasn't even replying to this issue. My reply was to your

"What law does going after a game is over and praying violate?"
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which was in answer to my

"You draw the line where it violates the law."
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which was in reply to Deidre's

"Not when it's on school property and led by a school employee." ​

Want to change horses in mid stream fine, but then you can't pretend you're still riding the old horse.

​

 

[Mister Emu]

Want to change horses in mid stream fine, but then you can't pretend you're still riding the old horse.

Apologies I assumed the reference to the ADL was the reasoning behind your response that it violates the separation of Church and State. As it is apparently not relevant to his current actions, how does his private silent prayer violate said separation?

 

[Skwim]

Apologies I assumed the reference to the ADL was the reasoning behind your response that it violates the separation of Church and State. As it is apparently not relevant to his current actions, how does his private silent prayer violate said separation?

If it's his silent prayer it doesn't. Anyone on school property can privately pray to themselves. This doesn't include such things as a teacher standing before a class, bowing her head, and saying a silent prayer.

 

[Mister Emu]

If it's his silent prayer it doesn't

Well there ya go. That is what he was suspended for.