Will he lose it?

 

Should he lose it?

 

Football coach refuses to lose religion, but will he lose his job? | Fox News

Local Article

 

This article actually includes some information. Like the coach's first name.

If he continues to defy his employer then the answer is simple: yes.

 

While I'm not intimately aware of the court cases I do remember that courts have consistently ruled that coaches, due to their levels of influence, cannot pray with the team. The argument commonly used - no player is FORCED to participate - has been considered and has been deemed immaterial. We can all debate that ruling but the ruling exists. It's where we are at as a country.

 

IMO the coach is making a public stand in order to effect change. God bless him. However, he has to remember these stands can come with ramifications.

 

This isn't just about him praying. If it were then he'd pray inside the coach's office after the game. He's taking a stand. I applaud him BUT also get that he will have to be removed from his job.

^^^^^^

Good explanation.

 

But by taking this stand and having people support him it may force the school to reconsider and let him keep his job.

^^^^^^

Good explanation.

 

But by taking this stand and having people support him it may force the school to reconsider and let him keep his job.

 

They would then run the risk of legal action. I'm not keeping the coach if I'm in charge of the schools.

Is he making all of the players pray with him? I think I might have missed something.

Depends on what the school's priorities are in this matter. Are they strong on their policy or are they more concerned with PR? It sounded like the school isn't going to fire him. If they did, you're looking at a lawsuit that the school would ultimately win, but would have to waste time with it. more national media coverage painting you as a villain, and tons of complaints. If you don't fire him, you're seen as soft and weak for succumbing to the media and outside influence, but the news goes away and there wouldn't be any lawsuits. If anything, a few people complaining about it.

 

if I were with the school, I'd let him finish the season, but keep reminding him that if he keeps this up that he'll probably lose his position at the end of the season.

Let's see:

1. Posts on FB about the prayer before he does it, because his employer warned him that it violated district policy (not to mention the Constitution).

2. Claims in the article that God "picked him" to do this.

3. Prays on the 50 yard line after the game. (Just the way Jesus said to pray...by making a spectacle of it)

 

My only question is whether he is related to Kim Davis or not.

Let's see:

1. Posts on FB about the prayer before he does it, because his employer warned him that it violated district policy (not to mention the Constitution).

2. Claims in the article that God "picked him" to do this.

3. Prays on the 50 yard line after the game. (Just the way Jesus said to pray...by making a spectacle of it)

 

My only question is whether he is related to Kim Davis or not.

 

I think a fair number of teams pray in this fashion, public and private schools. The majority of people have no issue with it, only a very slight minority. Clyde is right that taking a stand has consequences, so if he can live with that, cool...

 

Your statement linking this action to Kim Davis is inane and tiring....why do you insist on challenging any person who feels they are called by God ? It's an overused metaphor with little teeth

I am in agreement with taking a stand may cost the man his job. But I am a little confused by what exactly is the problem here. It seems to me the guy is praying silently by himself. Is he now making a spectacle out of it? That is possible. But it seems that all he did to start this issue was say a silent prayer after football games. Unless I am missing something.

 

I try to live my life as a religious person, and will say a prayer at school at times before lunch. Should I get fired for that?

My opinion on this situation and others like it is biased because I tend to roll my eyes at anybody goes out of their way to show everybody else just how pious they are. In any discussion where religion is brought up, the usual retort is always, "if you read the book its pretty clear." I understand there are many passages referencing praying everywhere and often, but I always think of Matthew 6:5-8 in these situations.

 

I get it, maybe his actions aren't really hurting anyone, but it really rubs me the wrong way when someone does something they know they aren't allowed to then claims persecution.

 

Realistically, maybe a Christian role model is what some of his players actually need. Regardless, I remember being high school aged, and I'm sure I would have joined in at the 50 yard line, but shame on the coach for putting the players in that situation. Even if he's 100% impartial (which I'm sure he probably is, not sarcastic) (1) who knows the pressure the players feel to join in, and (2) don't use kids for your own grandstanding.

I try to live my life as a religious person, and will say a prayer at school at times before lunch. Should I get fired for that?

 

Obviously not because you seem like a rational adult. This is exactly how you go about living as a religious person in a publicly funded job. Ironically, this is also how I genuinely respect your convictions believe them to be sincere.

 

My opinion would change and your job would probably be in jeopardy if the following happened analogous to this story. You knew of certain restrictions but decided to first air your dirty laundry in a public forum where you knew everybody would read it. You then contacted a group of others that you knew would be in the cafeteria at this time. You then waited until the exact moment that everyone was watching and waiting for you to react. You then went to the center of the cafeteria to make sure all eyes were on you where you made sure everyone knew what you were doing. If all of this happened, I would think the same about you as I do this coach, being seen praying is more important than the actual prayer being said.

Is he making all of the players pray with him? I think I might have missed something.

 

The courts have said that is irrelevant.

I really like Bipsic's take. This is unlike any "silent prayer" I have ever heard of. Silent prayers are not pre-announced on FB, nor are they conducted on the 50 yard line.

 

For all the supporters of this, what if he coached your kid, and kneeled toward Mecca?

Realistically, maybe a Christian role model is what some of his players actually need. Regardless, I remember being high school aged, and I'm sure I would have joined in at the 50 yard line, but shame on the coach for putting the players in that situation. Even if he's 100% impartial (which I'm sure he probably is, not sarcastic) (1) who knows the pressure the players feel to join in, and (2) don't use kids for your own grandstanding.

 

I am pretty sure #1 is the basis for the court decisions.