Symmes Valley High School in Ohio had a longstanding tradition. Before each football game, fans were invited to stand for the national anthem and a prayer. However, this tradition was discontinued by the school district in response to a complaint filed by a parent to the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
The Wisconsin-based atheist organization asserted that it was illegal for anyone to publicly deliver a prayer at a football game.
“Asking all the people in attendance to stand for a prayer during a school-sponsored football game is a constitutional foul,” said FFRF’s Dan Barker. “Keeping the PA booth free from religious intrusion will keep the audience free from it, too.”
They referenced a case in which the Supreme Court had declared that prayers at public school athletic events were unconstitutional. However, in a recent ruling in the case of Kennedy v. Bremerton, the Supreme Court determined that a coach’s silent, private post-game prayer was constitutionally protected.
Rather than contesting the issue, the school district chose to comply and assured that nobody would invoke the name of Jesus Christ over the microphone.
In a letter responding to the concerned atheists, the school district stated, “Prior to the next home game, we will direct the PA announcer that he is to refrain from leading prayer henceforth and will also ask for his assistance in relaying that refrain to other adults that may be in the press box — I expect his full cooperation.”
This matter could potentially become a legal case, which is why I encourage my readers to support organizations such as Alliance Defending Freedom. If a coach is allowed to pray at the 50-yard-line, a parent should be permitted to deliver a prayer in the press box.
