In the case, Kennedy v. Bremerton School District 597 U.S. 2022, a high school football
coach was fired for kneeling down to pray after football games had finished. The school district
made the claims that he made it appear that the school was endorsing a certain religion, which
they did not want (Foltin). The district stated that to a viewer from the outside, it would appear as
if the school was violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by allowing him to
pray (LII). Kennedy argued that firing him and bringing the case to court was an infringement of
two of his Constitutional rights listed in the First Amendment. He stated that the rights that had
been violated were the right to free speech and free exercise.
The Court ruled in Kennedy’s favor deciding that the Bremerton School District firing
him was an infringement of his Constitution rights. This ruling reinstated and strengthened both
the Free Speech and the Free Exercise Clause found in the First Amendment. They stated that as
he was not forcing any players to pray with him, he had every right to pray after the football
games. They also believed that the students being able to see the prayers take place was a way to
further prepare them for a pluralistic society and enable the traits of a tolerant citizen (Foltin). If
the Court had ruled in the opposite way, other school districts perhaps would start firing teachers
for other acts such as quietly praying before lunch, wearing a yamaka to school, praying before
practices and games, and many other acts that are protected under the First Amendment.
The Bible tells us to not be ashamed of our faith. It states, “For I am not ashamed of the
gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans
1:16). Additionally it says, “If you stand before others and are willing to say you believe in me,
then I will tell my Father in heaven that you belong to me. But if you stand before others and say
you do not believe in me, then I will tell my Father in heaven that you do not belong to me”
(Matthew 10:32-33). God does not want us to be embarrassed of Him or our faith in Him.
References
Foltin, R. (2024, January 18). Kennedy v. Bremerton: A First Amendment analysis. Freedom
Forum. https://www.freedomforum.org/kennedy-v-bremerton/#:~:text=In%20its
%20decision%20in%20Kennedy,religious%20speech%20by%20government
%20officials.
LII - Legal Information Institute. (2022, November). Establishment Clause. Cornell Law School.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/establishment_clause
Romans 1:16 - New International Version. Bible Gateway. (n.d.).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201%3A16&version=NIV
Matthew 10:32-33 - New International Version. Bible Gateway. (n.d.).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010%3A32-
39&version=ERV
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