The head football coach at Breckinridge County High School took about 20 players on a school bus late last month to his church, where nearly half of them were baptized, school officials say.

 

The mother of one player said her 16-year-old son was baptized without her knowledge and consent, and she is upset that a public school bus was used to take players to a church service — and that the school district’s superintendent was there and did not object.

 

“Nobody should push their faith on anybody else,” said Michelle Ammons, whose son, Robert Coffey, said Coach Scott Mooney told him and other players that the Aug. 26 outing would include only a motivational speaker and a free steak dinner

 

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I almost hate to say this, but I do think there are some valid points to her objections. First off, I don't think a public school bus should have been used. I also feel that since it involved minors, that some type of official notice/permission slip should have been sent home in advance. Schools require permission slips for outings to many other school-related events. The point was made in the article that a coach has a great deal of persuasion or power over his players. I am certain that he had the very best of intentions. Taking them to church was one thing, but allowing them to get baptized without their parent's knowledge or approval is too much. I think the best approached would have been for the coach and pastor to contact the parents after the trip and explain that their son expressed an interest to learn more about salvation and offer any guidance they could in that area to see that a profession was made. Again, I'm sure the coach had great intentions here, but I do think a line was crossed.

Good post coop. I thought this was going to be a crazy lady mad about kids going to say a game prayer or something along those lines. I'm kind of in the the same boat that no representatives of a public school system should have anything to do with something like this. Going to church is one thing but taking minors to get baptized without parental consent is just plain wrong imo.

I too have no problem with a team prayer or the like, but to have minors being baptized without the parents permission? Personally as upset as I am with the Coach, I am also upset with the Pastor of the Church for Baptisting minors without the Parents permission. What in the world were they thinking?

 

BTW am I the only one that would like to rent a County School Bus for just the cost of the gas? Do you think I could do that in Boone, Kenton or Campbell County?:idunno:

The woman should be happy that Coach Mooney took the time to help lead her son to the lord. The only thing I disagree is the coach should have had the kids wait to get baptized, the parents should have had an oppurtunity to witness her child take part is the greatest experience the young man will ever be a part of.

 

As for use of the bus, the coach paid for the gas so it didn't cost the school a dime.

 

 

Bless you coach Mooney, keep up the great job. :ylsuper:

I'm sure this coach will be fired, and rightly so. I can't believe he had the nerve to try to indoctrinate an entire team of children into his particular religious denomination. Religion should be something taught by the parents or their chosen designate. This guy had no business pulling such a stunt.

This is dripping with far reaching complications.

I think we are just seeing the start to something.....

I am all for religous freedom. In this case, for their actions involving minors without parental knowledge or consent, the coach and the pastor are out of their minds and dangerous.

I almost hate to say this, but I do think there are some valid points to her objections. First off, I don't think a public school bus should have been used. I also feel that since it involved minors, that some type of official notice/permission slip should have been sent home in advance. Schools require permission slips for outings to many other school-related events. The point was made in the article that a coach has a great deal of persuasion or power over his players. I am certain that he had the very best of intentions. Taking them to church was one thing, but allowing them to get baptized without their parent's knowledge or approval is too much. I think the best approached would have been for the coach and pastor to contact the parents after the trip and explain that their son expressed an interest to learn more about salvation and offer any guidance they could in that area to see that a profession was made. Again, I'm sure the coach had great intentions here, but I do think a line was crossed.

 

I agree with you, coop, except that I don't believe that the trip should have occurred at all.

 

First, school funds/equipment should not be used for trips to religious institutions. No, I'm not anti-Christian (and am thrilled that the young men took an interest in God and baptism), but there would be a huge outcry if the coach had taken the kids to a mosque or Buddhist temple - and rightly so.

 

A couple of years ago, we had a parent who was a pastor. He was also a wonderful chef and cooked all of our team meals. At the end of the season, after he had announced that he would be moving to a new church in Missouri, one of our parents called all of the other parents/players and invited the whole team to his church for a sermon - to show their appreciation. That's how it should be done.

 

Also, I would have no problem with the coach inviting the kids to his church. He could have church volunteers go pick up each of the kids, if needed.

 

Too, keep in mind that some parents missed their children's baptism. They might have liked to have been there.

 

One last thought - in which churches do young people get baptized on the first visit?

This coach is coach of the year. He put him self on the line for good of his players. This is one of the good guys!!!! I'm sure he did make them go. If he pays for the gas on the bus he ok in my book.

I agree with you, coop, except that I don't believe that the trip should have occurred at all.

 

First, school funds/equipment should not be used for trips to religious institutions. No, I'm not anti-Christian (and am thrilled that the young men took an interest in God and baptism), but there would be a huge outcry if the coach had taken the kids to a mosque or Buddhist temple - and rightly so.

 

A couple of years ago, we had a parent who was a pastor. He was also a wonderful chef and cooked all of our team meals. At the end of the season, after he had announced that he would be moving to a new church in Missouri, one of our parents called all of the other parents/players and invited the whole team to his church for a sermon - to show their appreciation. That's how it should be done.

 

Also, I would have no problem with the coach inviting the kids to his church. He could have church volunteers go pick up each of the kids, if needed.

 

Too, keep in mind that some parents missed their children's baptism. They might have liked to have been there.

 

One last thought - in which churches do young people get baptized on the first visit?

I will jump right into this fire. I can't imagine a preacher baptizing a child or anyone before sitting down and talking to them. Even though I am Catholic, I was born and raised in a Baptist church, and I know for a fact that the preacher talks to you before he will baptist you

 

Did this coach have permission from the parents to even take their child on a trip?

 

In my opinion this coach should never have taken these kids to his church without their parents permission (I would say the same if he was taking them to Kings Island). Should they have been baptized that night? No they shouldn't have. If these young men felt the need to be baptized they should have talked to their parents and then the parents, the child and this preacher should have sat down and discussed it.

 

I feel sure this coach had great intentions but sometimes great intentions have a way of coming back and biting you in the butt.

He will be fired I am sure. He was wrong for what he did and should pay for it.

Since it was a Baptist Church I ain't got no problem.:taz:

It seems to me there maybe details left out. I mean what if the coach had no intent on getting the boys baptized? Like say the preacher said these boys want to be baptized and are about to do so. Should the coach had stood up and said no? The parents should know if a coach is taking their child to church. And maybe the players were supposed to get permission. I'd like to hear more details about the situation.

The woman should be happy that Coach Mooney took the time to help lead her son to the lord. The only thing I disagree is the coach should have had the kids wait to get baptized, the parents should have had an oppurtunity to witness her child take part is the greatest experience the young man will ever be a part of.

 

As for use of the bus, the coach paid for the gas so it didn't cost the school a dime.

 

 

Bless you coach Mooney, keep up the great job. :ylsuper:

 

Would you feel this way about a trip to any religious institution? Mosque or temple?