Average JoeSample

DAY 5: A Commitment Kept

Coach Joe’s public prayers began drawing more and more attention—and scrutiny. This public expression of faith upset some community members who believed it violated the separation of church and state. The Bremerton School District began to pressure Coach Joe to stop praying in public, and they forbade him to pray with his players. Coach Joe was willing to avoid the appearance of coercion (though he knew he wasn’t forcing anyone to pray), but he was determined to continue with his midfield prayers. He had made a promise to the Lord, and he was going to keep it. Plus, Coach Joe believed the school district’s demand infringed upon his First Amendment right to freedom of religious expression, making it a spiritual and legal issue. This life-long fighter wasn’t about to back down.

The legal battle of Kennedy v. Bremerton School District was off to a fierce start, and everything in Joe’s life became more difficult. He lost his coaching position, and he almost lost his marriage, too. Denise could not understand why her husband wouldn’t just pray privately in the locker room, especially because her career in Bremerton’s human resources department was put at risk. Judge after judge ruled in favor of the school district, but Joe refused to surrender. He and his legal team continued to appeal to higher courts until there was only one court left: the Supreme Court of the United States. Would the years of fighting amidst emotional exhaustion finally pay off?

Reflection

• Why do you think Coach Joe’s simple act of prayer became such a point of contention?
• Have you ever experienced opposition because of your faith? How did you handle it?
• What do you think Coach Joe hoped to achieve by refusing to give up, beyond keeping his job?