Standing Up for Your Convictions
Some people's convictions are strong enough that they will stand up against those that would oppress them. Case in point, a high school football coach quit because the school would no longer allow him to lead a pre-game prayer.
I applaud this coach for quitting because of what he believes is right and moral. He has done would 90% of us wouldn't do, quit a job based on his convictions. I understand why a lot of people don't, because of family commitments and financial reasons, but if we did, then maybe schools, businesses and the Gov't would get the message that what they are imposing is wrong and needs to be corrected. Right On Coach Borden, you are a Hero in my book.
Mr Minority
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. — A veteran central New Jersey high school football coach has resigned after being told by school officials he could no longer lead his team in pregame prayer.
East Brunswick coach Marcus Borden was told last Friday by Schools Superintendent Jo Ann Magistro that some parents had complained about prayers Borden initiated at pregame meals and before the games.
After being told he would have to stop leading or taking part in the prayers, Borden stepped down from his position, just hours before his team's 21-0 loss to Sayreville that evening.
"I'm very disappointed," Borden said in an interview with News 12 New Jersey Tuesday. "Do I feel we were violating someone's rights? I don't think so."
But East Brunswick school officials think differently. According to school officials, the prayers violated the separation between church and state in public schools.
A spokeswoman for the district, Trish LaDuca, said students have the right to pray on school property during school events, but the prayer must be initiated by the students; otherwise it violates the law.
"A representative of the school district cannot constitutionally initiate prayer, encourage it or lead it," LaDuca told the Home News Tribune of East Brunswick. "Representatives of the school cannot participate in the student-initiated prayer."
During the television interview, aired Tuesday, Borden said what he was doing was not uncommon, and coaches across the state lead similar prayers as part of sporting events.
I applaud this coach for quitting because of what he believes is right and moral. He has done would 90% of us wouldn't do, quit a job based on his convictions. I understand why a lot of people don't, because of family commitments and financial reasons, but if we did, then maybe schools, businesses and the Gov't would get the message that what they are imposing is wrong and needs to be corrected. Right On Coach Borden, you are a Hero in my book.
Mr Minority
