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ACLU Trying to Ban Bowing Head During Prayer

    The issue of teachers and coaches praying — or appearing to pray — in front of students is being hashed out in one New Jersey high school, which is trying to ban its football coach from bowing his head and kneeling while his players pray before games.

    The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit heard arguments in the case earlier this month.

    “All he wants to do is bow his head in the background,” said John Whitehead, president of the Rutherford Institute, a group acting as co-counsel for coach Marcus Borden. “There’s a mentality out there among school officials that if it even hints of religion, it’s got to go.”

    While there are “clear guidelines” for student-initiated prayer in school that grant students at least “minimal” rights, teachers “are being told they really don’t have religious freedom,” Mr. Whitehead said.

    The case stems from an October 2005 policy at East Brunswick High School prohibiting any school representative from participating in student-initiated prayer.

    The high school’s football players have been praying before games for more than 25 years, and the coach wants to continue to bow his head and kneel with them, according to the Rutherford Institute. School officials don’t dispute that student athletes have the constitutionally protected right to pray, but they say coaches do not, because they are public employees, the institute said.

    A U.S. District Court ruled in favor of the coach in July, but that was challenged by the school and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

I’m just curious as to whether this football team is accommodating Muslims with footbaths before the game or not. (sarcasm) I’m also curious as to how the ACLU and school expect to enforce this. How far can he go? Can he blink? Can he nod? This is ridiculous!

Personally I go if the guys wants to kneel, bow, or square dance while prayer is going on he can.  Does not matter to me.  Would be best if he showed some sort of respect, and refrained from square dancing....

I do not think the Muslims would be playing football...something about a pigskin and pork would limit their abilities.  :D

 ;D ;D ;D

Brother Jerry!  You're cracking me up.  ;D
I would like to protest the ACLU period.  They offend me by their very existance, breathing perfectly good air and taking up perfectly good space that could be used productively by almost ANYONE else.  What a bunch of losers.  Can't wait to see their faces as we are rising in the air.  But then I don't plan on looking back!