Late last year we reported on the egregious firing of Coach Joseph Kennedy. An assistant football coach for Bremerton High School, in Washington state. Coach Kennedy held, and encouraged, a time of silent prayer after games and practices. A time of silent prayer had been offered to players, and spectators alike, for over 7 years. No one was forced to participate. It was time held for anyone who wished to give thanks to the Almighty.
Because someone might possibly think a school was endorsing prayer, a football coach had his First Amendment rights stripped away and he was fired – JUST FOR PRAYING IN PUBLIC.
We’re filing an amicus brief at the Supreme Court to protect prayer. Sign: https://t.co/VsIEdLgrhg
— ACLJ (@ACLJ) February 4, 2022
The School District however saw this as an affront to their liberal senses and demanded the coach stop the offering of 30 seconds for silent prayer. When Coach Kennedy refused he lost his job.
The last we heard of this story was the hope that his case would go to the Supreme Court soon. The ACLJ has stepped up to defend Coach. Kennedy’s religious liberty and has recently reported news on where the case stands.
A high school football coach was fired after he prayed silently on an empty field after games. Can you imagine being fired for giving thanks to God?
Now the fate of this Christian coach rests in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. https://t.co/nnKyewcK5Y
— ACLJ (@ACLJ) February 4, 2022
A Christian Coach Fights for Liberty
The fate of Kennedy, and religious Liberty itself, lies within the hands of the United States Supreme Court. Jordan Sekulow is the Executive Director of the American Center for Law and Justice, and recently wrote about Kennedy’s case:
Our contact on the ground in Afghanistan reports that “men, women & children are subjugated, beaten, & executed for their beliefs that differ from the tyrannical Taliban.”
We're taking emergency action. Sign: https://t.co/pQoZsQYosJ
— ACLJ (@ACLJ) February 2, 2022
” The fact that this coach was stripped of his livelihood for praying silently is an egregious violation of constitutionally protected religious liberty, and quite frankly, it’s just offensive.”
Now that Justice Breyer has announced he is retiring from the Supreme Court, President Biden will surely nominate a far-Left nominee, triggering a politically contentious nomination process right before midterm elections.
Sign: https://t.co/0A6zJV4I6q
— ACLJ (@ACLJ) February 2, 2022
Thankfully defenders of both faith and liberty, like the ACLJ, are standing up for this fight. Today, it is Coach Kennedy who is facing the persecution of our secular society but more will follow. If you pray at a restaurant before your meal, or over your work at a hospital or business you could be next.
This is not a time for Christians to grow silent. It is not a time for us to compromise our faith to “keep the peace.” Remember that Jesus warned us that many will come to the gates of heaven and say “Lord, Lord” but he will tell them to depart because He did not know them. He also said that if we deny him in this life, He will certainly deny us before his Father in heaven.
Imagine being a football coach who, after a game has finished, has a tradition of kneeling on the field to pray. And then, suddenly, your school fires you. It happened.
We’re filing a religious liberty amicus brief at the Supreme Court. Read more: https://t.co/FHrh0SwDcE
— ACLJ (@ACLJ) January 31, 2022
These are not warnings we should take lightly. Certainly, the defenders of faith at the ACLJ do not. The amicus brief will be due early this March and oral arguments held in April. Keep these freedom fighters in your prayers as they go head to head with our culture in the fight for Liberty.
