We didn’t want him to resign, we wanted him to stop proselytizing in a public school.
1 Like
It would do good for FFRF to make that point public. Did they do so?
2 Likes
Yes. In it letter to the superintendent FFRF called for the illegal actions to be stopped and that all teachers to be given a refresher course on the law. Nowhere has FFRF called for the firing or disciplinary action of teachers who make innocent mistakes of judgment when trying to motivate their students.
4 Likes
Did any of the students complain of coercion? Or was that just alleged from outside the group? If the players actually wanted to wear such T-shirts, the whole matter would revert to District policy regarding Freedom of Religion versus school attire issues. What did the coach actually do? Was he or she a volunteer, or an actual paid agent of the school district? So many issues to sort out here, when it comes to Constitutional protections, which include both provisions for freedom of religion while simultaneously declaiming actions which might amount to establishment policies.
1 Like
According to the article, a community member reported what the coach was doing to the FFRF who then sent a letter to the school explaining how the coach could be violating constitutional law and requesting that the school look into it. The school took it from there.
The FFRF took the right step here in writing a non-binding letter and in not pursuing any legal action. It is very unfortunate that the coach resigned, but it is worth noting that the FFRF was not involved in that decision. We simply don’t know what was said between the school and the coach, or what type of history existed. I would hope that the coach was treated fairly.
I think it is a positive that citizens can talk directly to each other and find solutions without getting expensive lawyers and courts involved. There are also foundations that protect students from unconstitutional religious discrimination, including the infamous ACLU (yes, they protect christians from discrimination), and they deserve all the support they can get.
6 Likes
No, it is a very simple and straightforward issue. The coach violated students’ Constitutional rights, and it is correct he will no longer be doing so. If the only way this could be accomplished was thru his resignation, them’s the breaks.
2 Likes
Why is it unfortunate?
1 Like
Your questions are all answered in the article.
1 Like
I would like to think that people can make mistakes and get a second chance.
7 Likes
I’ve needed about 100 of them in my life. And third and fourth chances too
4 Likes
Amen.
2 Likes
It’s not unlikely that there were additional mistakes made in this case.
2 Likes
It’s funny to me that your hatred is so strong that you cannot see the value of a coach pouring his life, energy and efforts into a group of young men. You only see the Christian losing the battle. Bravo.
It’s unfortunate that this could have been a mere “coaching moment” wherein the coach’s actions could have been corrected, but the relationships maintained. Terribly sad situation.
1 Like
Interesting. Inside information?
Not at all. It’s just the way that bureaucracies typically work and fail.
I’m trying to follow you. Are you saying that it is likely that where one mistake was made, more were made? That this pattern leads to people resigning? I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be dense.
EDIT: My assumption from the story was that his motivation for coaching was the opportunity to share spiritually and that, when confronted with the inability to do so, he resigned. I may be reading too much into it as well.
1 Like
I guess he was not interested in that. His problem. No one else’s.
Who’s fault is that? The coach resigned. He wasn’t fired.
I said that he resigned too. Your comment was not about whose fault it was. There’s no disagreement as to who was at fault. In fact, there seems to be universal agreement that he was at fault.
The issue was that @T_aquaticus said this:
To which you replied:
Yes, as in “tip of the iceberg.”
1 Like