Thirty-Something Soccer Mom

Today is the day.  

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments for a former Bremerton football coach who lost his position after praying on the field after games despite being told to stop by the Bremerton School District.  In the wake of this controversy it might be helpful for those opposed to this practice to be reminded of what our constitution does and does not give private citizens the right to do.

The first amendment of our constitution states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Many people who oppose the practice of people exercising their religion while employed by organizations operated by the state (in this case a public school), often use the term “separation of church and state” as a defense to support their position.  

Many people are unaware that this phrase is not written anywhere in our constitution.

The term “Separation of church and state” was first used in a letter written in 1802 by Thomas Jefferson expressing his understanding of the intent and function of the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. 

In his use of this term I do not believe he ever intended this phrase to be used as a way to limit a private citizens free exercise of religion just because they are employed by a state organization.

Even before our founding fathers created the constitution, the pilgrims traveled to America to practice their religion freely without persecution from the King of England. 

Establishing a country that did not have a state sponsored religion was important to them not so they could be free from religion but so they could be free to practice the religion of their choosing without any restrictions or persecution from the state.

I sympathize with the sector of our society that does not believe in God or practice an organized form of religion.  I understand that it may be difficult for them to tolerate the religious practices of others.  I support their right to oppose this practice and will stand by their freedom to abstain from participating in any form of religion whether on or off school grounds.

But in that same spirit of tolerance I ask that they respect the individual rights of Coach Kennedy, (and any other students and staff in the Bremerton school district), to exercise their individual religious rights protected under the constitution.