Two weeks ago, I covered this particular case regarding a public high school assistant football coach and the controversy surrounding his need to conduct public prayer on the 50-yard line. He was scrutinized by school district officials who feared a lawsuit because he is clearly violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by openly engaging in public prayer during sanctioned school activities. If his showboating public display of holiness isn't nauseating enough, we now have the Congressional Prayer Caucus intervening on his behalf. This isn't going away any time soon.
Of course, the ultra-Christian Liberty Institute is involved because they love this sort of pretend controversy and the free publicity it provides. But wait, they've got some new reinforcements to help execute plays. Coach Joe Kennedy is armed with these new holy rollers:
The Congressional Prayer Caucus Chairmen sent a letter with other congressmen to Bremerton School District officials Tuesday, demanding they respect the coach’s right to religious expression.
The kerfuffle began when Bremerton School District told Kennedy in September that he had to stop the tradition because they feared it would open them up to a lawsuit. Kennedy initially agreed, but he has since refused and prayed midfield after the team’s last two games, drawing both national scrutiny and support. Now, he and the Christian legal group the Liberty Institute are suing the district for refusing to grant Kennedy a religious accommodation and threatening to fire him if he prays again.
The Congressional Prayer Caucus’s co-chairmen, Republican Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford and Republican Oklahoma Rep. Randy Forbes, sent the letter along with almost 50 other congressmen to Bremerton Superintendent Aaron Leavell and Principal John Polm.
The Congressional Prayer Caucus, whose members are a Teabagger's wet dream, is actually a thing. It was founded during the Bush 43 Administration in 2005. Thank the Lawd these folks are taking time from their 'busy' schedule to protect their fellow god-commandos' right to show what Jeebus-loving Christians they are. To hell with the First Amendment, the Holy House has spoken!
UPDATE: KOMO News: Coach Kennedy on administrative leave pending religious controversy.
