"any school official is banned from having any religion?"

Of course not, he just needs to be careful how he goes about presenting his religion from his position of secular authority. No different than an employer dating an employee. It can be done in the proper way/context but without restrictions it ends up being abuse.  

"No, you are a paid blogger assigned to counter anyone that posts something negative about the government or Obama." by Mcamelyne II on 05/17/2011

by Robrob on 09/09/2009 12:57:43 AM EST

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Hi this is ArranoGris from YouTube...you'll notice I posted a bunch of comments on the video for this in opposition to Ana's point. Yeah...I really need to stop doing that before the video is over. You guys always inevitably make new points or present new facts at the END of the fucking videos. You might have mentioned the thing about the bus being privately funded and it being done outside school at the START of the story. Sheesh. Anyway...

If this coach did his best to do this completely outside his capacity as a paid coach at a public school, then...as much as I don't like having to admit it, he should have been allowed to do it. If the bus truly was privately paid for, and it truly was made perfectly clear to everyone that this was voluntary, and the coach did NOT exercise his capacity as a public school, then I don't see how I have a Constitutional basis for saying he shouldn't do it.

by Sparrowhawk on 09/09/2009 10:00:51 AM EST

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he is not a random school official who took people to his church, some of whom just happened to be students at the school where he worked.

Were you to tell me that one of the cafeteria workers had a van and offered a ride to anyone who wanted to go to his church, then we have a wholly different situation.

The football coach took the kids who want to play on his football team to his church. While it may have been set out as being voluntary, it is de facto involuntary. The kids have to please that coach to play on the team. Coaches have tremendous influence over the kids who play sports under their supervision.

I played football in HS. I was the only Jewish person on the team. (My sister, the other Jew in the school, didn't want to try out.) A couple of the coaches were all into the Jesus and led "voluntary" team prayers and FCA meetings and such. I knew that I could not actually walk out without creating a big to-do. And as a 16 year old kid, I didn't want to be Ghandi about it and lead some protest movement. I wanted to play football. So I had no choice.

by braveomatic on 09/09/2009 02:44:00 PM EST

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Boxxy.  I have no problem with school officials having faith in a religion.  I have nothing against religion and I am, in fact, a christian.  I am curious if you've ever played football.  I've played football, basketball, soccer, and baseball.  I was also part of numerous other clubs while in school, and no where is there as much of a need to be "one of the guys" than in football.  There is a culture that goes with football that you HAVE to fit in.  You can't be weird or odd in any fashion.  While I played football, I got a "Jar of Clay" cd and tried to give it to a friend of mine for free.  I love my faith but don't have a desire to be preached to at every given second, music included.  So when I was giving it to a friend and teammate another teammate came from across the locker room and got in my face "YOU GOT SOMETHING AGAINST JESUS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR?!!!"  I simply explained that I don't want my music to be proslatizing me as so many people felt it necessary in Pensacola. (right in the bible belt.)  And it became a huge issue with my teammates.  That my supposed rejection of Jesus was an attack some how on their faith of Jesus.  Football is the ultimate team sport that at no point are you doing something on your own and you all have to feel you are together. 

So I can see many of the boys who were on that team possibly feeling they had some duty to go.  Plus, taking a child to church is a parent or guardian's duty not the football coach.  I understand your feelings that the coach was merely trying to save these children's soul, but what if the coach too the children to a mosque?  Would you be ok with that?  If not why do you have a problem with religion?  He was just trying to save their soul again.  A parent has the right to instill whatever morales they wish to in a child.  And if they are atheist or agnostic that is their right as parents to raise their children as atheists or as agnostics. 

When you are with your students you are always a teacher, no matter the location.  It is like a counselor or therapist or psychiatrist.  I could very easily lose my license if I saw one of my patients on the street and took them to my church.  It is not my job to instill my faith on a patient.  It is unethical.  And where ever I am, if I see one of my patients it is my duty to keep it both confidential and to keep it professional.  Also... these boys may be 16... and a 16 y/o is more of an adult than a 5 y/o but it still doesn't mean they aren't full of stupid and not ready to be adults.  They are still children and minors under the law.  How many times do we hear or remember from when we were 16, all the stupid decisions that 16 y/o's make?  They are still impressionable and we need to leave matters of faith to the parents and the family's spiritual guide. 

by Das Gimp on 09/11/2009 08:17:21 AM EST

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