High school coach in the USA fired for praying
2019, Coach Wallace and Stucky at Cameron High School, Missouri
Coach Jeff Wallace and Assistant Coach David Stucky at Cameron High School in Missouri were accused of proselytizing students after inviting them to join a short Christian prayer that they led.
The prayer was voluntary, but an anonymous team member complained that the coaches pressured students to participate, which the coaches denied. The school investigation found that the prayer was voluntary and that students were not coerced.
The situation will likely continue to be debated in the coming weeks and months as the school district decides how to handle the situation.
In a letter to Cameron School District Missouri, the atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) said that “Christian prayers” are unconstitutional.
Jeremy Dys, a special counsel, said, “This letter is little more than a noisy, public complaint meant to harass and embarrass…” Pastor Tim Harrell, whose son played for the team, said, “…anything we can do positive, instead of negative, will influence and help our young people.” [NY Post]
HOW PRAYERS WERE BANNED IN SCHOOLS.
PRAYER LOCKER OF EMILY CHANEY BANNED IN SCHOOL.
2015, Coach Kennedy at Bremerton High School, Washington
Joseph Kennedy lost his job as a high school football coach at Bremerton School District after he knelt at midfield after games to offer a quiet personal prayer.
Kenny sued the federal court and was denied the motion for a junction. He was suspended because he was perceived as a “risk of constitutional liability” under the Establishment Clause for his “religious conduct.”
SCOTUS sides with a high school football coach in a First Amendment case about prayer at the 50-yard-line. In a 6-3 ruling, SCOTUS says the public school district violated the coach’s free speech and free exercise rights when it barred him from praying on the field after games.
— SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) June 27, 2022
TRANS WOMEN COMPETE IN BIOLOGICAL GIRLS’ SPORTS.
Kennedy sued to get his job back, claiming a First Amendment violation. The Supreme Court heard the case on April 25, 2022.
The SCOTUS ruled in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District that a public high school football coach in the state of Washington had his First Amendment rights violated after he was placed on administrative leave by the school district and banned from participating in the football programs.
Oops, you got busted!