A football coach of over 20 years and one time recipient of the USA Today's “Caring Coach of the Year” award, has come under attack recently for his practice of holding prayer sessions with his students before games.
The U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia ruled unanimously Tuesday against coach Marcus Borden on the grounds that it was unconstitutional for him to pray and “bow his head and take a knee” alongside his students, in what, the court argued, would be an endorsement of religion by a school staff member.
Although a lower court ruled in favor of Borden back in 2006, arguing that Borden would be allowed to “take a knee” and “bow his head” with his students in a manner that showed “secular respect,” the new ruling by the 3rd Circuit Court ensures that even the “bow” of a head by Borden would be unconstitutional.
Jo Ann Magistro, the school superintendent who pursued the case, was among those who were reportedly “pleased” with the ruling. She believes that it was merely an upholding of the school policy banning its employees from participating in prayer with students.
"The district pursued this case to protect children who could not protest pressure to participate in religious activities at school events,” she said, according to The Home News Tribune.
“Today's ruling,” she said after the ruling, “accomplished that goal. Every student is a valued member of our community and their religious beliefs, or lack there of, can never be used to separate them from their peers and teammates."
Conservative groups, however, described the ruling as a violation of constitutional rights.
“No school is justified in policing its employees' thoughts and penalizing them based on what they think is going on in their heads. What next? Will they bar coaches from silently moving their lips if others think it is a prayer?” the Family Research Council (FRC), a conservative organization that lobbies for the defense of Christians, said in an e-mail statement.
Meanwhile, Borden's attorney, Ronald J. Riccio, said he intends to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, pointing out that the recent ruling still leaves open for debate what coaches can and cannot do with their own students during prayer sessions.
"The ruling is clearly a reversal of the victory that we won below but the decision is so fragmented it really cries out for a U.S. Supreme Court review to settle the question once and for all," Riccio said, according to The Home News Tribune.
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The problem is the State Religion in the USA is humanism. It is backed up by law which forces the teaching of evolution and forces teachers to check their Christianity at the door. It will not change until we as the followers of Christ change and start to love our neighbors as ourselves. After all, most of our money is tied up in paying for things we really don't need instead of helping those who have real needs. This is what makes for a strong church in America and true religious freedom.
scitsonga
Humanism and Satanism are both religions. Lets keep them out of our public schools as well.
imho "I'm so glad I live in a country where I can choose to send my children to an affordable Christian school. "
And I am glad too, you should have a school to send your kids to that you are comfortable with. For those of us that do not want religious training in school, public schools need to keep them religion free except for courses that teach about the history of ALL religions as a matter of producing well rounded future citizens that are tolerant of others religious views.
JC, I know, I know, you believe your religion is superior to all others, so do the muslims. You believe in your religion, the muslims in theirs, the hindu's in theirs. Fine, great for you all, but lets keep it out of government, the courts and the public schools. Everyone has their favored religion, as an agnostic I am deeply skeptical of all of them.
Wow. I'm so glad I live in a country where I can choose to send my children to an affordable Christian school. Just today the school nurse prayed with my daughter, who felt quite unwell, asking Jesus for His help. It would be really sad not to have that, as prayer is such an important part of our family life.
When I was growing up, I remember the football teams having prayer time - it was just a given that the coach would pray briefly before the game. The players didn't need to be told that they could think about something else if they weren't keen to pray - they just did. Praying teammates prayed silently, non-praying teammates thought of the upcoming game. No big deal. Things have certainly changed and become much more hostile for the followers of Jesus when the coach isn't even allowed to bow his head! It would be funny if it weren't so sadly true.
P.S. My daughter recovered, finished the school day and is just fine. Thank you God for looking after her!
to Scitsonga and Chicago24:
Beloved, I would have to agree that I too would be outraged at the teaching of Islam at America's public schools. But not for the same reasons as you.
Islam teaches death.
Christianity teaches life.
Islam is about submission.
Christianity is about freedom.
Islam practices Taqqiya (the art of lying to further Islam).
Christianity teaches transparency and honesty.
Islam teaches there is no hope but for good deeds.
Christianity teaches there is hope through Jesus Christ.
Beloved, I could continue this forever, but there's no need.
For those who advocate separation of education and biblical understanding are abandoning the little ones. Jesus said "let the children come unto me, for such as these belongs the Kingdom of Heaven".
chicago24 "What if the coach were Muslim? Would you support a Muslim teacher holding prayer in school to Allah? If you want teachers to be able to hold prayers in public schools, you can't pick and choose which religion it might be. "
very well stated
Keep the prayers at home and church, if you have a need to pray, either do it in silence or move to a location where others would not be disturbed. I'd bet that if the prayers were taken from the Quran that there would be outrage on these posts. The message I think, is we all have different beliefs, therefor prayer and religion have no place in the public domain.
This is why there are senseless violence among our teens.
So they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, made for themselves a molded image and two calves, made a wooden image and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.
And they cause their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger.
The school districts that have the superintendent Jo Ann Magistro also have these "Philosophy and Goals" posted:
1. The skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for functioning successfully in our society shall be developed.
Really, by teaching them to hate prayer? Help me here.
2. Students shall acquire the habits and attitudes associated with responsible citizenship.
Really? By teaching them there is no God, and that their entire existence is nothing but an evolved accident, will produce effect habits and attitudes? Once again, help me here.
3. Academic potential shall be developed by encouraging and assisting students to explore and to learn as broadly and deeply as their interests and abilities permit.
Not according to this article.
4. The ability to think creatively and constructively shall be developed.
Once again, not according to this article.
5. Individual creative talent shall be discovered, nurtured and appreciated in all areas.
Did you see that, "... in all areas". Apparently not.
6. Knowledge and appreciate of the cultural, economic and political facets of life in our community and society shall be cultivated.
I think this is the first honest thing said yet. Unfortunately, the culture we now live in is extremely corrupt and on it's way to Hell.
7. Students shall develop respect for diversity among individuals and societies, the ability to form responsible relations with a wide range of people and an understanding of the interrelationship and interdependence of people and nations of the world.
How can they expect the students to develop respect for diversity when they themselves do not practice it?
8. Students shall be able to make constructive choices concerning their leisure time.
I'm sure the students have been given the ability to make fine choices here, after all, they have a great examples from their school administrators.
9. An effective environment will be provided to develop a positive attitude toward learning.
Unless it's about Jesus.
10. Educational programs shall be designed to encourage the development and understanding of social, moral and aesthetic values as an integral part of instruction.
Once again, not according to this article.
11. Psychological, physical and social needs of students shall be recognized and dealt with constructively.
Is this their idea of "constructively"?
12. The community shall be encouraged to be involved and share responsibility for the continued growth and development of the total educational process.
Unless it includes Jesus.
As far as I can tell this coach didn't force any of the people to pray...what's the big deal? The rights of Religious people are being subdued, and only the Atheists or non-religious rights are being protected.
What if the coach were Muslim? Would you support a Muslim teacher holding prayer in school to Allah? If you want teachers to be able to hold prayers in public schools, you can't pick and choose which religion it might be.
"Jo Ann Magistro, the school superintendent who pursued the case, was among those who were reportedly “pleased” with the ruling. She believes that it was merely an upholding of the school policy banning its employees from participating in prayer with students."
So who wrote the school policy?
What is next. Perhaps we can ban the kids from kneeling and praying over an injured player.
No let's ban NFL players from kneeling over a seriously injured player.
Let's be sure to not take a stand for anything as we don't want to bring peer pressure or make someone feel out of place. Oh yeah, lets ban grades while we are at it because it will make some students feel uncomfortable. Oh and by all means lets take disipline out of the schools in every measure because not disiplining the students really seems to be working these days.
I pray everyday for our sick nation because it is broke. Legislate that.
The real travesty is high school football itself. You're encouraging 250-pound kids to smash into each other as hard as they can and our taxes are being spent on school-sanctioned violence.
This article failed to mention that the coach resigned after this ruling. What is it about his coaching that makes him think he can't lead a team by remaining within the boundaries of the law?