Friday, April 18, 2008

Take A Knee, Get In Trouble

You see it depicted on television and in the movies and in truth you’ve probably witnessed it in person at a sporting event, especially football games. Before a game a team gathers, holds hands and joins forces in a prayer…one that usually asks for guidance and safety although I’m sure there has been a few in which a small request was put in for a victory.

You might remember a couple of years ago longtime East Brunswick High School Football coach Marcus Borden was told by school officials he could no longer lead his team in prayer, something he had done for more than 20 years. A religious man who believed very much in the prayer ritual Borden quit in the middle of the season but later rescinded that and has returned to the sidelines. However the issue has not gone away and earlier this week may have reached a conclusion when a Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that East Brunswick school officials can tell Borden not to bow or take a knee during his team’s student-led prayer. This action reversed a lower-court ruling made two years ago which said the school district’s policy was unconstitutional so during this time players have continued the prayer tradition with Borden a participant and not the leader.

With this most recent and maybe final action a reasonable person would wonder what Borden or any other coach can do. If players continue to pray
and take a knee does the coach have to walk away or be a certain distance from his team? Would that not be a sign of disrespect?

As one who does not practice religion or pray on a regular basis I’ve always associated the team prayer as a part of football. Not everyone joins in verbally but surely holding hands with your teammates and asking that everyone remain safe and unified is not a bad thing. However the coach has to stay away from this but its okay for him to get in the huddle and tell everyone to go out and kill their opponent.

What a strange world we live in.

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