Public school coaches told not to participate in prayer

[el_em_en_oh]

WESTMORELAND, TN (WSMV) - Some football coaches are in trouble for something they did with their players. They said a prayer.

That has the school district taking action.

And the policy, while it may be the law, has plenty of people up in arms.

Every school district has a responsibility to follow the law, and separate private faith from public school. It can be a fine line at times. One crossed in Sumner County, it seems, when the coaches didn't say a word during a student-led prayer, but they did bow their heads.

In a town like Westmoreland, faith and football seem to matter.

"We're just respectful, God-fearing people up here," resident Tony Bentle said.

Bentle called games for Westmoreland High School for 42 years.

"A lot of history. A lot of changes. A lot of football," he said.

So when he, like a lot of people, heard what happened after a recent game at the middle school.

"It actually blew my mind, that we had come to that point," he said. "Nobody in this town is offended if you pray. Nobody."

During a student-originated, student-led prayer, four coaches bowed their heads. They didn't say a word.

But the principal and the district found out.

"We've been telling our principals to kind of be looking for those things, because that is kind of a shift in how things have been done," Sumner County Schools spokesperson Jeremy Johnson said. "It can in no way appear like it's endorsed by Sumner County Schools personnel."

Channel 4 asked if bowing one's head qualified as endorsing.

"It depends on what it looks like," he said. "That's where you kind of get into the gray area that we're having to deal with."

Each coach had to sign a letter stating he understood the district's revised policy.

Staff can be there when students pray but can not appear to take part, even outside school hours.

The tougher policy came just months after the American Civil Liberties Union sued the district, arguing it violated separation of church and state.

But in the push to stay legal and steer clear of another lawsuit, some in this town would say the district is going entirely too far.

"That's a violation of their rights. We should be able to bow our heads in reverence to God, wherever we are," Bentle said. "It's time we draw a line in the sand and say, you know, this is ridiculous."

It is important to note the coaches were not disciplined. They were educated on the district's policy.

Still, like any policy, if an employee has a pattern of breaking this, they are subject to discipline.

SOURCE:
http://www.wsmv.com/story/15538258/public-school-coaches-told-not-to-participate-in-prayer

[bbxx]

Thank you...
I am glad we can talk and our differences dont matter....
When I do get healed..you will all know because I will be flying high.... :)

[brice1967]

God bless you.... We've talked before about me not being very religious.  I am these days a lot closer to my God than I was even 5 years ago, and I am glad that I have found that.  But I have got to tell you, I don't care what religion anyone is... and like you, I do not want to be forced into someone elses religion, nor them mine.  I think religion is best left in the house of worship and that way neither you nor I will be subjected to the others beliefs.  (I also am not a big fan of public shows of affection that border line a porno)

Do I take offense to a nativity scene?  Nope....  The Star of David?.... Nope.... A cross?  Nope.... A mosque?  Nope.... none of that bothers me and I am all for everyone having their God and their beliefs.  I just would never in a million years be ballsy or brash enough to take a public arena, like a sporting event, and throw my beliefs out there.  I feel that is completely unnecessary.  (With that said, I think it is a travesty that God was taken out of the Pledge of Allegiance.... I think God in this mention refers to all Gods and all beliefs, with or without religion.)

I would never jump on your back.  I value your opinion and am glad we have this forum to discuss things like this.

I also have faith that you can and will find some healing.  I think you've got the will to get that done, and if anyone deserved their God to shine on them, it is you my friend.  Again, God bless.

[bbxx]

Before anyone jumps on my back, I am not doing well at all right now, and when it comes to my God, I am depending on him to heal me from this hell I have been in for too long now. I know he can and I have to trust him cause outside of him there is no other hope for me. I may not be dying, of a termal illness, but sometimes a persons exsistance can be as if they are dead.

[bbxx]

while I am here I may as well toss in on this right?
Meanwhile...our policmen in NY are being demoted and harassed if they dont participate in muslim worship. tax payer money pays for police as far as I know. Double standards everywhere..
The only difference is it use to be ok to pray places....now its only ok to be of any religion but christian.
I do not believe anyone should be forced to bow their head to my God, or me theirs or attend their place of worship or they mine...
but everyone wants to be politcally correct....do whats IN...whats popular....whats cool..no one has a backbone anymore..upset the protected and look out...

[el_em_en_oh]

~Mark 8:38~
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.