The Supreme Court definitely got it wrong with regards to the Bremerton football coach case (“Supreme Court sides with coach who sought to pray after game,” The Herald, June 27). Unlike Roe v. Wade, where there are compelling arguments on both sides, in this case there were only weak arguments for the coach. He is free to pray or otherwise practice his religion on his own time. But there is no good reason he needs to lead a public prayer on school property during work time. It is the football players who are being wronged.
By high school, kids understand favoritism and teacher’s pets. They know privileges and punishments are not always administered fairly. So on the football field where the coach decides who plays, the kids can perceive it as a “pray to play” situation. Kids will feel compelled to pray with the coach even if their beliefs do not match that of the coach.
It seems to me this resembles establishment of a state religion, which is prohibited in the First Amendment to the Constitution. The coach is free to publicly practice his faith on his own time on non-school property. That is his right under the same First Amendment. The school district tried to find a workable solution with the coach, but he was adamant about leading a prayer at mid-field after each game. And this Supreme Court agreed with him. If you enjoy rights that put you outside of the mainstream, look out! Your cherished right could be next. Vote!
Eric Selby
Lake Stevens
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