Coach’s religious freedom was denied

To the editor:

Anyone who appreciates religious freedom realizes that it has been savaged. A recent illustration occurred at a high school in Bremerton, Wash. Assistant Football Coach Joe Kennedy was put on paid leave for refusing to stop his seven-year tradition of praying silently at the 50-yard line after each game. Kennedy, a 20-year combat Marine vet, had first began praying after games on his own. After a period of time, a few players voluntarily joined him. Next, more players along with some of their parents. Eventually, even some players from opposing teams joined Kennedy in prayer (http://www.worldmag.com/2015/10/taking_a_knee).

The spectacle of seeing God-fearing taxpayers gathered on a football field for voluntary prayer was too much for the district school officials. They put Kennedy on paid leave for refusing to stop.

'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ...” Whose actions are being restricted in the First Amendment, the state's or the citizens'? The Constitution gives the state no authority to suppress Christian expression in public. Was coach Kennedy somehow acting on behalf of Congress 'respecting an establishment of religion” when he prayed? The word 'absurd” was created for such questions.

Michael Mallie

Kalona