The following blog entry was originally posted in July of 2022. I find value in reconsidering its content some 4 years later -
"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." - John 8:44
The United States Supreme Court has made a few landmark rulings recently. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has received the most attention, but the Court's ruling on June 27th in the case of Kennedy V. Bremerton (Washington) School District holds tremendous significance as well. If you are unaware, let me tell you about it briefly.
Mr. Kennedy, a high school and junior high football coach, had been in the habit of praying before and after football games. After years of this practice, the school became aware of the increasing public nature of these prayers and, it seems, began to fear the possible repercussions of his actions. The school reprimanded him in writing and instructed him to cease from the activity. To make a long story short, Mr. Kennedy did cease from any group prayers, but did not end his practice of prayer entirely. In subsequent games, while fans and players were engaged in celebrations and social interaction, Mr. Kennedy would kneel alone for a post game prayer.
Following the third game after which Mr. Kennedy had prayed in this manner, he was placed on paid administrative leave and was instructed not to participate in any program activities. The District's reasoning? He "engaged in public and demonstrative religious conduct while still on duty as an assistant coach". Coach Kennedy's post-season evaluation advised against his rehiring for the upcoming year because he had "failed to follow district policy" regarding religious expression and that he "failed to supervise student-athletes after games".
Mr. Kennedy took his case to the courts citing violations of the First Amendment clauses of "Free Exercise" and "Free Speech". He lost in District Court and lost his appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court. Mr. Kennedy then appealed to the United States Supreme Court, which elected to hear the case. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Mr. Kennedy's First Amendment rights had been violated by the Bremerton School District.
Justice Gorsuch wrote the Opinion (joined by Alito, Thomas, Kavanaugh, Roberts and Barrett). The opening paragraph reads:
"Joseph Kennedy lost his job as a high school football coach because he knelt at midfield after games to offer a quiet prayer of thanks. Mr. Kennedy prayed during a period when school employees were free to speak with a friend, call for a reservation at a restaurant, check email, or attend to other personal matters. He offered his prayers quietly while his students were otherwise occupied. Still, the Bremerton School District disciplined him anyway. It did so because it thought anything less could lead a reasonable observer to conclude (mistakenly) that it endorsed Mr. Kennedy’s religious beliefs. That reasoning was misguided. Both the Free Exercise and Free Speech Clauses of the First Amendment protect expressions like Mr. Kennedy’s. Nor does a proper understanding of the Amendment’s Establishment Clause require the government to single out private religious speech for special disfavor. The Constitution and the best of our traditions counsel mutual respect and tolerance, not censorship and suppression, for religious and nonreligious views alike."
Justice Sotomayor wrote the Dissent (joined by Breyer and Kagan). The opening of the Dissent reads:
"This case is about whether a public school must permit a school official to kneel, bow his head, and say a prayer at the center of a school event. The Constitution does not authorize, let alone require, public schools to embrace this conduct. Since Engel v. Vitale, 370 U. S. 421 (1962), this Court consistently has recognized that school officials leading prayer is constitutionally impermissible. Official-led prayer strikes at the core of our constitutional protections for the religious liberty of students and their parents, as embodied in both the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. The Court now charts a different path, yet again paying almost exclusive attention to the Free Exercise Clause’s protection for individual religious exercise while giving short shrift to the Establishment Clause’s prohibition on state establishment of religion."
Justice Sotomayor has misrepresented the facts of this case. She, a Supreme Court Justice, has lied. This case was not about leading a group of students in prayer. Mr. Kennedy, admittedly, had done that. When instructed to desist, he did. That was not a part of the issue. This case was about one man praying while in his capacity as a government employee at a time when other employees were free to engage in activities not within the scope of their employment.
Do you see what evil does? Do you see how evil uses lies to paint a picture contrary to reality? For an example of how her lies become extrapolated, passed on and certainly believed by many in the public, read the following article from Vox.com HERE.
Dear friends, in a world where lies abound, truth must be sought. Truth must be valued enough so that it will be sought. Truth must be defended by exposing lies. This mantle must be taken up by God's people. This challenge must be embraced. Why? Because Jesus is truth (John 14:6). And a knowledge of Jesus is the only means by which we can receive freedom (John 8:32) from the bondage of the lies of the evil one. Satan will not relent. He will use his "children" to lie on behalf of his cause. May we not allow his lies to perpetuate darkness. Let us shine the light of Jesus into the darkness.
Let us pray for Justice Sotomayor and others who, like her, remain in darkness. Let us pray that she would turn to Jesus and be saved.
"You are the light of the world. A city set upon a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14)
Pastor Jeremy
