Letter: Bremerton was correct in suspending coach for public prayers
Coaches are often among the most respected and admired members of a high school staff. So when a Bremerton football coach publicly drops to his knees in prayer after each game, he is effectively forcing his players to make an unwanted choice.
They can choose to kneel beside him or walk away. Either response will be carefully noted by many others in the community. The religious anonymity of the students is blown. They have lost their right to privacy, revealing their atheist or Buddhist or Christian beliefs for all to see.
Bremerton School District was correct in suspending the coach. Even if well-meaning, his attempts to coerce his students were wrong. The letter of support written by our own constitutionally challenged congressman was also wrong.
Separation of church and state works. This constitutional guarantee maintains religious freedom for all of us. Let’s be careful not to throw it away.
Michael Keegan, Richland
This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 5:16 PM with the headline "Letter: Bremerton was correct in suspending coach for public prayers."