Quote:EXCLUSIVE: High school football coach Joe Kennedy was fired for praying and now he wants his job back.

Kennedy, a former Marine Corps gunnery sergeant, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Bremerton School District in Washington State, claiming he was let go because of his religious beliefs.

The school district has yet to respond to the lawsuit.

“They fired him for praying,” said Michael Berry, the coach’s attorney. Berry is with First Liberty Institute, one of the nation’s largest law firms handling religious liberty cases.

“If a school can do this to someone like Coach Kennedy, they can do it to anybody,” Berry told me.

The coach is not asking for a single penny in his lawsuit – he just wants his job back.

“All we really want for him – is to be back on the sideline coaching those kids – and nothing more,” Berry said.

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/08/0...-back.html

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_p...ution.html

No, coaches shouldn't be participating in those prayers in their official capacity. Its coercive.

He should get his job back.

It's very common for teams to pray. There is nothing wrong with the team and the coach sharing a religious moment.

If he requested a prayer mat facing Mecca this would be no big deal.

(08-09-2016 11:50 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  If he requested a prayer mat facing Mecca this would be no big deal.

I'll even bet that the liberals would probably donate a prayer mat for him too

Give him back his job under the condition that he does not "lead" the team prayer. Players on their own can certainly do it on their own.

(08-09-2016 11:50 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  If he requested a prayer mat facing Mecca this would be no big deal.

That would also be a problem.

When you hold power, you shouldn't use that to promote a particular faith.

(08-09-2016 11:40 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_p...ution.html

No, coaches shouldn't be participating in those prayers in their official capacity. Its coercive.

Or offering special treatment for Gay Players !

(08-09-2016 11:55 AM)CardFan1 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 11:40 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_p...ution.html

No, coaches shouldn't be participating in those prayers in their official capacity. Its coercive.

Or offering special treatment for Gay Players !

You mean like having the league's venerated leader openly campaign for Gay players to be excluded from the league for being Gay?

Or by firing two pro LGBT players but retaining a coach that called for all Gays to be put on an island an executed

Or by having an owner who openly supported being able to fire or not hire players because they are Gay

Sure, I can live without that 'special treatment'. Glad to see you on board.

"I pray that our leaders will always act with humility and generosity. I pray that my failings are forgiven. I pray that we will uphold our obligation to be good stewards of God's creation -- this beautiful planet. I pray that we will see every single child as our own, each worthy of our love and of our compassion. And I pray we answer Scripture's call to lift up the vulnerable, and to stand up for justice, and ensure that every human being lives in dignity."

(08-09-2016 12:04 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 11:55 AM)CardFan1 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 11:40 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_p...ution.html

No, coaches shouldn't be participating in those prayers in their official capacity. Its coercive.

Or offering special treatment for Gay Players !

You mean like having the league's venerated leader openly campaign for Gay players to be excluded from the league for being Gay?

Or by firing two pro LGBT players but retaining a coach that called for all Gays to be put on an island an executed

Or by having an owner who openly supported being able to fire or not hire players because they are Gay

Sure, I can live without that 'special treatment'. Glad to see you on board.

But it's perfectly Hunky Dory to fire a coach for leading a prayer before or after a game. Jeez, Your priorities are all agenda driven. Go figure !

(08-09-2016 12:46 PM)CardFan1 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:04 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 11:55 AM)CardFan1 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 11:40 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_p...ution.html

No, coaches shouldn't be participating in those prayers in their official capacity. Its coercive.

Or offering special treatment for Gay Players !

You mean like having the league's venerated leader openly campaign for Gay players to be excluded from the league for being Gay?

Or by firing two pro LGBT players but retaining a coach that called for all Gays to be put on an island an executed

Or by having an owner who openly supported being able to fire or not hire players because they are Gay

Sure, I can live without that 'special treatment'. Glad to see you on board.

But it's perfectly Hunky Dory to fire a coach for leading a prayer before or after a game. Jeez, Your priorities are all agenda driven. Go figure !

Actually, its a bad idea for a teacher or a football coach to do so at a public school. Especially in their official capacity.

It marginalizes those that don't share his beliefs. And the coach controls playing time.

Where I grew up, if you wanted PT, you better be at the Bible Study. At least that was the message that was understood by the students. And the steering by coaches to the FCA still goes on in Alabama http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/arti...-football/

(08-09-2016 12:54 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:46 PM)CardFan1 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:04 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 11:55 AM)CardFan1 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 11:40 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_p...ution.html

No, coaches shouldn't be participating in those prayers in their official capacity. Its coercive.

Or offering special treatment for Gay Players !

You mean like having the league's venerated leader openly campaign for Gay players to be excluded from the league for being Gay?

Or by firing two pro LGBT players but retaining a coach that called for all Gays to be put on an island an executed

Or by having an owner who openly supported being able to fire or not hire players because they are Gay

Sure, I can live without that 'special treatment'. Glad to see you on board.

But it's perfectly Hunky Dory to fire a coach for leading a prayer before or after a game. Jeez, Your priorities are all agenda driven. Go figure !

Actually, its a bad idea for a teacher or a football coach to do so at a public school. Especially in their official capacity.

It marginalizes those that don't share his beliefs. And the coach controls playing time.

Where I grew up, if you wanted PT, you better be at the Bible Study. At least that's was the message. And the steering by coaches to the FCA still goes on in Alabama http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/arti...-football/

I dont know where you grew up, but where I grew up, the HC did not control playing time, that was up to the position coaches. Did you ever play football?

(08-09-2016 12:55 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:54 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:46 PM)CardFan1 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:04 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 11:55 AM)CardFan1 Wrote:  Or offering special treatment for Gay Players !

You mean like having the league's venerated leader openly campaign for Gay players to be excluded from the league for being Gay?

Or by firing two pro LGBT players but retaining a coach that called for all Gays to be put on an island an executed

Or by having an owner who openly supported being able to fire or not hire players because they are Gay

Sure, I can live without that 'special treatment'. Glad to see you on board.

But it's perfectly Hunky Dory to fire a coach for leading a prayer before or after a game. Jeez, Your priorities are all agenda driven. Go figure !

Actually, its a bad idea for a teacher or a football coach to do so at a public school. Especially in their official capacity.

It marginalizes those that don't share his beliefs. And the coach controls playing time.

Where I grew up, if you wanted PT, you better be at the Bible Study. At least that's was the message. And the steering by coaches to the FCA still goes on in Alabama http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/arti...-football/

I dont know where you grew up, but where I grew up, the HC did not control playing time, that was up to the position coaches. Did you ever play football?

I said coaches. That includes assistant coaches too.

Uh, yea, I played football.

(08-09-2016 12:57 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:55 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:54 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:46 PM)CardFan1 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:04 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  You mean like having the league's venerated leader openly campaign for Gay players to be excluded from the league for being Gay?

Or by firing two pro LGBT players but retaining a coach that called for all Gays to be put on an island an executed

Or by having an owner who openly supported being able to fire or not hire players because they are Gay

Sure, I can live without that 'special treatment'. Glad to see you on board.

But it's perfectly Hunky Dory to fire a coach for leading a prayer before or after a game. Jeez, Your priorities are all agenda driven. Go figure !

Actually, its a bad idea for a teacher or a football coach to do so at a public school. Especially in their official capacity.

It marginalizes those that don't share his beliefs. And the coach controls playing time.

Where I grew up, if you wanted PT, you better be at the Bible Study. At least that's was the message. And the steering by coaches to the FCA still goes on in Alabama http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/arti...-football/

I dont know where you grew up, but where I grew up, the HC did not control playing time, that was up to the position coaches. Did you ever play football?

I said coaches. That includes assistant coaches too.

Uh, yea, I played football.

This is about one Head Coach, not coaches.

(08-09-2016 12:59 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:57 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:55 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:54 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:46 PM)CardFan1 Wrote:  But it's perfectly Hunky Dory to fire a coach for leading a prayer before or after a game. Jeez, Your priorities are all agenda driven. Go figure !

Actually, its a bad idea for a teacher or a football coach to do so at a public school. Especially in their official capacity.

It marginalizes those that don't share his beliefs. And the coach controls playing time.

Where I grew up, if you wanted PT, you better be at the Bible Study. At least that's was the message. And the steering by coaches to the FCA still goes on in Alabama http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/arti...-football/

I dont know where you grew up, but where I grew up, the HC did not control playing time, that was up to the position coaches. Did you ever play football?

I said coaches. That includes assistant coaches too.

Uh, yea, I played football.

This is about one Head Coach, not coaches.

I'm sure there are non-FCA affiliated coaches at that school. LOL.

(08-09-2016 01:01 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:59 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:57 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:55 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:54 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  Actually, its a bad idea for a teacher or a football coach to do so at a public school. Especially in their official capacity.

It marginalizes those that don't share his beliefs. And the coach controls playing time.

Where I grew up, if you wanted PT, you better be at the Bible Study. At least that's was the message. And the steering by coaches to the FCA still goes on in Alabama http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/arti...-football/

I dont know where you grew up, but where I grew up, the HC did not control playing time, that was up to the position coaches. Did you ever play football?

I said coaches. That includes assistant coaches too.

Uh, yea, I played football.

This is about one Head Coach, not coaches.

I'm sure there are non-FCA affiliated coaches at that school. LOL.

I am sure you can provide concrete evidence that all coaches at that school are FCA affiliated...

(08-09-2016 01:03 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 01:01 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:59 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:57 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:55 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  I dont know where you grew up, but where I grew up, the HC did not control playing time, that was up to the position coaches. Did you ever play football?

I said coaches. That includes assistant coaches too.

Uh, yea, I played football.

This is about one Head Coach, not coaches.

I'm sure there are non-FCA affiliated coaches at that school. LOL.

I am sure you can provide concrete evidence that all coaches at that school are FCA affiliated...

Dude, read the article. http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/arti...-football/

meh, prayer doesn't bother me.

I just let people do their thing. If you get offended because people are praying around you, you have worse problems to deal with.

(08-09-2016 01:06 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 01:03 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 01:01 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:59 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  

(08-09-2016 12:57 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  I said coaches. That includes assistant coaches too.

Uh, yea, I played football.

This is about one Head Coach, not coaches.

I'm sure there are non-FCA affiliated coaches at that school. LOL.

I am sure you can provide concrete evidence that all coaches at that school are FCA affiliated...

Dude, read the article. http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/arti...-football/

I did, where does it say that every coach in Kennedy's school is FCA affiliated?