Your family-favorite current events resource just got a brand new look.

LEARN MORE

World Teen - Main Article
 
Signup Teachers & Parents
Making a Choice
News Bytes 11/2/2015 17 Comments

Coach Joe Kennedy takes a knee in prayer after every game. Only now he prays on the stadium side of the fence. School district officials in Washington state put Kennedy on paid administrative leave last week. His crime was ignoring orders to stop overt religious displays on the football field.

Bremerton High School officials cite past Supreme Court and appeals court cases as backup: They don’t want to be seen as endorsing any one religion.

"While attending games may be voluntary for most students, students required to be present by virtue of their participation in football or cheerleading will necessarily suffer a degree of coercion to participate in religious activity when their coaches lead or endorse it," the Bremerton School District said.

Bremerton’s senior class president Abe Bartlett was one of those who want the district to be consistent about its policy. He invited a group of self-described Satanists to attend the football game.

It seems Bremerton High School is being asked to “choose this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)

Coach Kennedy has made his choice. He told the media attending one game last week that it hurt his heart not to be with his players. But he added, “If you believe in something you stand up.”

The coach's case will soon head to court. What do you think about prayer at public events?

Leave a comment
  • Keep comments on topic and related to the subject matter of the article. (Off-topic comments will be deleted.)
  • Be respectful of everyone, including other readers as well as individuals in the news stories. Disagree politely.
  • Do not post links to websites outside of WORLDteen.
  • Keep personal information such as full name, age, location, and contact information private.
  • Read your comment before posting to be sure you have typed what you wish to say in public.
Sorry you are not allowed to publish comments. If this is the first time you are seeing this message please log out and back in. If you continue to see this message and believe this to be in error please reach out to member services.

Most recent comments

Comment

That's just unfair! They can't take away his freedom of religion!
And I do think that people should be able to pray at public events--after all, don't we have the freedom of speech and religion? Has everybody forgotten?!

What?!

I agree with Rebecca S. Don't we have the freedom of religion and speech?! (If you live in the USA :-) )

There are 2 Sides

I definitely understand the world's frustration with the coach. However, we have freedom of speech and religion.

Freedom?

I bet if he'd said he was praying to someone other than the one true God (not saying that he should have!), they wouldn't have gotten mad. It seems today's message, in the media, in schools, and everywhere, is to accept everyone, every color, background, gender, lifestyle, choice, and religion, EXCEPT Christians.

Wow!

Good for Coach Kennedy. It's hard to stand firm in your Christian faith these days, but I'm glad to see that someone is standing firm even when others persecute them. The one great thing about this is, that most of the team stands behind the coach, even though those kids aren't necessarily Christians themselves, but I didn't hear about the Satanist group that attended until I read this article. Rebekah S, you are so right, it would be unlawful for them to deny him freedom of religion.

Jenna V

I do live in the US. :)

from the other tc (the brother)

That quote from Bremerton is so dumb. I mean, just think about what it's saying!!! As if students would be forced to attend a football game. That's silly. I believe it shouldn't be the governments business whether we pray in public or not. Good for Kennedy for standing up.

I agree with...

I agree with Rebekah S, and Devon M. So sad that our freedom of religion is disappearing!

NASCAR races start with

NASCAR races start with prayer... why not football!

Taking away freedom of

Taking away freedom of religion is illegal!!! Those district officials should be the ones getting fired!

makes me so mad that we as

makes me so mad that we as Christians get our freedom taken away

Not Fair

That isn't fair! We are supposed to have freedom of religion! Also Jenna V do you live in the US?

Yes @ Hannah J

Yes, I do :) I live in Buford, Georgia. Buford is a tiny town, 35 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia. Where do you live? @Hannah J

Jenna V

I live in southern California, probably across the country from you

What is this world coming to?

What is this world coming to? and if that kid Abe, was on the team, he should have respected his coach, even if he didn't agree! instead of bringing Satanists to the game! :|

Not Fair

that's totally unfair

Prayer

I agree with DM. It seems like when a Muslim man prays to his god no one makes any fuss about it, but a CHRISTIAN? No way. I think Coach Kennedy should be allowed to pray, and if some of his players don't want to pray with him then they can walk away.

Check out one of the interesting topics below
Explain IT!

Explain-IT trains you to understand the how’s and why’s of man-made inventions and ideas.

Learn More
Pop Smart

Pop! SMART provides tools that equip teenagers with the kinds of insights they need to wisely navigate today’s popular culture in a way that’s fun and engaging.

Learn More
Pie in the Sky

Everyone daydreams, and as it should be. Good dreams aside, our culture is a natural enemy of serenity and hope. God has equipped you for great things.

Learn More
People Mover

True stories are incredibly powerful. They bring meaning to our lives—communicating the truths we can’t afford to live without.

Learn More
Mud Room

Mud Room helps you relate to the news by exploring the details behind the stories in the headlines that relate to earth sciences.

Learn More
Globe Trek

Globe Trek will take you from the living room sofa to the mountains of Uzbekistan and from the screen of their smart phone to a Chilean plantation.

Learn More
Ka Ching!

ka-Ching! takes a look at important principles of money and economics through relatable examples from everyday life.

Learn More
Law 'N Order

Law ‘N Order captures your imagination through civics, focusing on the idea that everyone can make a difference in life.

Learn More

User login