Survey: Majority American Parents Approve of Coaches Praying Before High School Sporting Events
By Movieguide® Staff
A new survey revealed that parents advocate for prayer at public school sports events.
The Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research recently conducted the study following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling last summer in favor of Washington state high school football coach Joe Kennedy.
During his tenure as coach, Kennedy prayed with his team at the 50-yard line, an action that the Bremerton School District started to fight in 2015.
However, the new survey shows that parents stand with Kennedy and other coaches who choose to lead their sports teams in prayer.
The study discovered that 54% of Americans approved of the court’s ruling, which ended in a 6-3 vote in favor of Kennedy. According to the survey, 22% disapproved of the verdict.
“Solid majorities think a coach leading a team in prayer (60%), a player leading a team in prayer (64%) and a coach praying on the field without asking the team to join in (71%) should all be allowed in public high school sports,” the AP reported.
Movieguide® previously reported on prayer and high school sports:
A Tennessee school board told teachers and coaches that it could no longer lead students in prayer after the Americans United for Separation of Church and State sent the district a letter, according to WZTV-TV.
“Courts have consistently ruled that prayer and proselytizing cannot be sponsored by schools or school personnel,” an attorney for Putnam County Schools (PCS) noted of the claim.
However, the district recognized “the importance of prayer in the lives of our students, faculty, and staff members,” and that they “support the right of students to participate in and lead spontaneous prayers.”
“That right is and will continue to be protected,” the district said. “We also understand that faculty and staff members cannot lead or participate in the spontaneous student-led prayers.”
However, students and players of various high schools in the district decided to demonstrate that the law would not keep them from praying with their coaches.
Dustin Whitefield, a father of a student at Upperman High School, said that post-game prayers have always been “optional for players.”
“After the game, players and cheerleaders that choose to will be on the field praying on their own,” he told WZTV-TV. “A group of parents will be going out on the field to support them. We will join hands and encircle them from a distance as a sign of protection and solidarity in choosing to continue to pray. This is a parent-led event! We are encouraging anyone that would like to show their support to please join us.”
After Upperman’s most recent game, parents, faculty and students prayed together on the field.
“Satan’s power was defeated tonight, as the threat of legal action to forbid prayer after the game was overwhelmed by player lead prayer, supported by parents and fans in solidarity on Overall Field,” Bob Vick, a graduate of a PCS school and a fan of the Upperman football team, posted on Facebook. “God bless the Baxter and Stone players for their faith and courage.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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