WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a Washington school district violated the First Amendment freedoms of Coach Joseph Kennedy by firing him for his silent, personal prayer on the 50-yard line following football games.

Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the 6-3 ruling, writing:

“Respect for religious expressions is indispensable to life in a free and diverse Republic—whether those expressions take place in a sanctuary or on a field, and whether they manifest through the spoken word or a bowed head. Here, a government entity sought to punish an individual for engaging in a brief, quiet, personal religious observance doubly protected by the Free Exercise and Free Speech Clauses of the First Amendment.”

Center for Christian Virtue filed an amicus brief in this case with other state-policy organizations defending Coach Kennedy’s religious liberty. The following statement is from Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer:

“As religious hostility grows in America, today’s Supreme Court decision is a reminder that the First Amendment stands strong to shield all people of faith from unconstitutional religious discrimination.

“Coach Kennedy’s long journey to the Supreme Court is a testimony to what courage can accomplish. Not only did he achieve victory and vindication for himself, but he sent a clear message to states and school districts across America that prayer and religious expression cannot be marginalized in public schools.   

“I’m deeply grateful for our friends at First Liberty Institute for leading this fight, and representing Coach Kennedy at the Supreme Court.

“As we celebrate the end of Roe, we affirm today that the generation of Americans who will be spared the abortionist’s forceps will grow up in a nation where religious freedom is guaranteed for all.”

For more information, contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or info@ccv.org.

As Ohio’s largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel. 

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Note: This story has been corrected to reflect Washington as the school district that violated Coach Kennedy’s religious freedom.