freedom of religion not for everyone

School coach violated religion ban in prayer ritual: US court

15 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) — A football coach violated a ban on teaching religion in public schools when he joined his players in kneeling and head-bowing rituals before games, a US appeals court ruled Tuesday.

The decision could have national implications and may ultimately affect thousands of schools throughout the United States, many of which are believed to employ coaches who engage in prayer with their teams.

Marcus Borden, a Spanish teacher and coach since 1983 at East Brunswick High School in the eastern state of New Jersey, routinely joined in prayers at team meals and invited his players to drop to one knee in a silent locker-room prayer before kick-off.

In 2005 some parents complained of what they saw as Borden introducing religion into the public school system -- an act banned by the US Constitution which calls for the separation of church and state.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ruled that Borden's extensive involvement with the team's prayers violated the Establishment clause of the Constitution's First Amendment.

"When viewing the acts in light of Borden's 23 years of prior prayer activities with the East Brunswick High School football team during which he organized, participated in, and even led prayer activities with his team, a reasonable observer would conclude that Borden was endorsing religion when he engaged in these acts," the court said in a statement.

Following the parent complaints in 2005, the school ordered that students be allowed to retain their constitutional rights to pray, but that teachers could not participate.

Borden reportedly had earlier sued the school district for his right to silently join his players in the pre-game ritual. In July 2006 a judge upheld Borden's right to do so, but the appeals court annuled [sic] the decision.

Obviously, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals does not support the First Amendment or freedom of religion. This is disgusting but it goes back to the separation of church and state issue that does not exist. There is nothing in the Constitution about separation of church and state. In addition, this particular case sounds like the prayers are being held by the students not the coach. There is nothing in the Constitution or previous court ruling that prohibit students from conducting prayers.

Christians should support this coach and he should take this on the the U.S. Supreme Court.