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Washington — Best in the United States A court ruled in favor of a former public high school football coach in Washington State on Monday after being suspended from work for refusing to stop leading prayers with players on the field after the match. Expanded religious rights.
In the latest edition of a series of Supreme Court decisions that broadly looked at religious freedom, the judge upheld Joseph Kennedy, a part-time assistant football coach until 2015, in a 6-3 decision. Did. He was the city of Bremerton and has since become a celebrity of the cause of conservative Christian activists.
With a conservative majority, the Supreme Court has in recent years expanded the religious rights of individuals and businesses while narrowing the separation of church and state.
The Bremerton School District attracted media attention by inviting students to him while acting as a civil servant, claiming that Kennedy "made the sight" of praying and giving speeches. .. Some parents said they felt compelled to attend.
Last year, the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals violated the government's ban on the establishment of religion if local officials continued his actions against Kennedy. I decided that it would be.
Kennedy coached at his alma mater Bremerton High School from 2008 to 2015. His lawyer filed a proceeding in 2016, claiming he "lost his job" because of his actions. Kennedy accused officials of religious discrimination, violated his free voice, and sought a court order to return as a coach.
Kennedy initially seemed to follow instructions to stop praying during his work, but later refused and appeared in media promoting the controversy, attracting public attention. After many rebellions, he took paid leave from the season contract and did not reapply as a coach for the next season.
Authorities point out that Kennedy no longer lives in the school district and has moved to Florida. He said he would return if he regained his job.
A conservative religious rights group, the First Liberty Institute, helped represent Kennedy in this case.
The Supreme Court has ruled a series of religious rights this year.
On June 21, a case in Maine approved the use of public funds paid by students to attend religious schools. On May 2, we assisted a group of Christians trying to raise a crucifixed flag at Boston City Hall. On March 24, Texas instructed a convict on death row murderer to accept his request to put his hand on a Christian minister and pray audibly during the execution.
In other recent religious rights judgments, the Supreme Court broke the barriers for public funds to go to religious schools and churches, turning family-owned businesses into women's contraceptive employees. Exempted from federal requirements for insurance coverage. Religious grounds. He also banned LGBT people from applying for foster care and endorsed a Catholic organization that received public funds to support Christian bakeries who refused to make wedding cakes for same-sex couples. (Report by Lawrence Hurley; edited by Will Dunham)
