N.J. High School Football Coach Has No Right To Encourage Student Prayers, Federal Appeals Court Say

http://www.au.org/site/News2?abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=9755

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Three-Judge Panel Rules Unanimously That Coach's Actions Had The Effect Of Endorsing Religion

Americans United for Separation of Church and State praised today’s federal appeals court ruling that a New Jersey high school football coach does not have a constitutional right to engage in religious activities with students.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously rejected a legal challenge filed by Coach Marcus Borden of East Brunswick High School. Borden said he wanted to bow his head and “take a knee” with players before football games while allegedly voluntary prayers were recited by students.

The court, noting Borden’s 23-year history of organizing and leading prayers with players, said his actions, would be construed by a neutral observer as promoting religion.

“Public schools have the right and responsibility to protect students from religious coercion,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Parents, not public school staff, have the right to determine what religious exercises, if any, their children take part in.”

Borden’s actions came under scrutiny when parents complained about his prayer practices. At one point, the coach allegedly told athletes who did not want to participate in the prayers that they could wait in a bathroom. After some cheerleaders voiced concerns about Borden’s promotion of religion, they were attacked and called obscene names on a student-run blog.

High wins or loses their ballgames.

I've prayed with teams before matches.
They pray with thanks and pray for safety. Sounds reasonable.

Way to foster unity and sportsmanship, by singling out and excluding anyone who's different.

In Texas, a girl was prohibited from praying over a PA system before a football game. It was school sponsored.

Unfortunately, in Texas, football games are considered religious occasions.

I'm waiting for somebody to start chanting a Buddhist or Hindu mantra at one of those prayer circles.

Om namah Shivaya, for example!