By David Ettinger
Major Ruling
On June 27, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a former Washington state public high school football coach who lost his job because he recited a silent prayer on the 50-yard line after games.[1]
You may read about this ruling on numerous news websites. Therefore, I – as a Bible-believing Christian – don’t wish to analyze the decision, but will admit that it roused in me some long-held thoughts I have regarding this and other related issues.
As such, I simply want to share some thoughts on the issues which make American Christians tick, and give my take on them. I refer to these issues as “public Christianity” as they deal with how Christians should behave in public, and what our realistic expectations should be.
I call these thoughts “scattered” as they touch upon various subjects. And by all means, feel free to agree, disagree, and/or give your take on these issues!
School Prayer
I’m not a proponent of prayer in public schools. I don’t believe prayer should be mandated to anyone, especially to those who don’t pray.
Regarding Christian children, parents should teach them that they can pray whenever free time is available, and for as long or briefly as they so desire. Parents should teach their children that God hears their prayers anywhere and in all circumstances, and they can do so walking from one classroom to the next, to and from the bathroom, and to and from lunch or recess.
But to mandate non-religious kids to pray is foolishness and coercion, and is more hurtful than helpful.
Regarding “removing God from the classroom,” this is another matter, but I can live with it, as there are homes and religious institutions in which to teach children. What is grievous however, is schools indoctrinating children with anti-God, anti-Biblical subjects regarding sexual behavior and gender preferences.
Public schools should be teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, and other practical subjects, and leave religious and social matters to parents.
Coaches, Players Praying After Games
It’s fine if they want to do so, but also fine are the prayers of Muslim, Jewish, and other belief systems the players adhere to. It’s a public forum, therefore if one group of people can pray, so can all others.
In the case of the Washington coach, the principal mentioned he was worried about the security concerns involved. Whenever the coach prayed, parents would leave the stands and join him on the field. That’s legitimate. Therefore, ban all people who have nothing to do with the game from entering the field.
And here’s where my skeptical side comes in. Yes, sometimes public prayer can be a wonderful testimony to unbelievers, but oftentimes Christians use it as an in-your-face display of piety or “just try to stop me” bravado. Just curious, during the game, were these parents witnessing to the unsaved parents sitting beside them?
Christian Bakers and Florists
It is truly abhorrent for state and city governments to fine Christian bakers and florists for not providing services for same-sex weddings and other events. Christians do not refuse such services out of vindictiveness or cruelty, but because we believe in a Bible which makes clear what is holy and what is sin, and obey it accordingly.
This does not mean Christians hate those who practice sin (though we hate sinful acts). For instance, if a same-sex couple walks into a bakery and simply requests a “non-issue” cake – for instance , “Happy 40th Birthday, Don” – then by all means the Christian baker should fill the order.
And the same should apply to Christian consumers. For instance, if I walk into a Jewish-, Muslim-, or atheist-owned bakery and ask for a cake which says, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” these businesses have every right to decline my request. They should not be forced to do something against their moral and religious (or non-religious) beliefs.
Politics, Vaccines, Etc.
Christians need to remember that we are ambassadors of Christ and that our primary message is the Gospel. We are to be about the business of the Lord Jesus by explaining to unbelievers who will listen to us that they are condemned to eternity in Hell, but that God provided a way out.
If you want to consume yourself with hot-button topics, please do so graciously, if at all. Do you think the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump? Do you think the Covid-19 vaccines are deadly and a sham?
That’s fine if you believe it, but if you are going to write about it and fill your social media pages with it, you better make sure you’re right beyond a shadow of a doubt. And even if you are, are you accomplishing anything regarding the souls of unbelievers? Most of the time, your aren’t; rather, you are causing discord and driving them away from the Gospel.
How about filling your social media pages with what you know is Truth: That human beings are perishing in their sin, and that Jesus Christ can save them from their sins. This is what we are called to do. Let others take their deep-dives into politics and conspiracy theories.
There It Is
So, there it is, my scattered thoughts on “public” Christianity and related issues.
What about you? What are your thoughts? If you disagree with anything I said, please express it. Your thoughts – either way – are welcome!
[1] https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/supreme-court-rules-coach-prayer-faith-leaders
EttingerWriting.com 
illshowyoumyfaith
June 28, 2022
Matt Sorger said: “God news is good”
God bless and protect you
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dettinger47
June 28, 2022
Thank you.
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Bruce Cooper
June 28, 2022
Hi David, excellent post and I did not see anything that you stated that I disagree with. Blessings!
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dettinger47
June 28, 2022
Thank you, Bruce.
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GodsFaithful
June 28, 2022
I agree with everything touched upon in this post.
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dettinger47
June 28, 2022
Thank you. Appreciate it!
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mrrjchamberlain88
June 28, 2022
Good points David. Public prayers seem dangerously Pharisaical- thinking of how they liked to make a show of praying.
And regarding ‘hot’ topics, I’m reminded of that verse in Jeremiah that says not to learn the ways of the pagans. We don’t need to study satanic goings on, just Holy Scriptures, and make them known.
Amen to your post!
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dettinger47
June 28, 2022
Well said. I absolutely agree. And by the way, I was going to mention the Pharisaical aspect of public prayer as well, but decided not to go quite that far. Much thanks.
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vicklea
June 28, 2022
I do hate that prayer was removed from public schools because many took it out of context and went way too far with the ban. Students were told they could not say a silent prayer on their own, for example. Anytime the government gets involved with anything, it generally does not make things better. I was in education for almost four decades and I saw what government interference did and it wasn’t pretty. So, I applaud the decisions of the Supreme Court because they are standing for the Constitution. However, I am waiting for the Muslims and other groups to demand the same rights on the field and they can and should be allowed to be there, based on the First Amendment. I recall in my classroom before I retired that one of the phrases that my students used to say all the time, especially if I was passing out a test, was, “Oh, God!” My reply was always the same. I told them that they said His name and got His attention so now they need to tell Him what they want or tell Him “never mind.” I did the same thing when they said OMG. Before I retired, I had students telling other students to tell God what they wanted since they called on His name. Prayer? Maybe. But I was teaching them a lesson about God’s Name that they didn’t soon forget.
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dettinger47
June 28, 2022
Great recollections, Vickie. In fact, I’m thinking some of what you mentioned above — regarding your experiences and how you used your faith in the classroom — would make for very interesting reading. I’d sure read them!
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vicklea
June 28, 2022
Thank you, David.
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Dale Stroud
June 28, 2022
Meeting on the field for prayer after the game has been a tradition for decades even at the professional level. Believers on both teams come together in unity after brutally knocking the snot out of each other for 3+hrs so this is nothing new.
The concern of the administrator of the parents joining the prayer group is rather hypocritical. Should their team win a rivalry game or a championship the fans would rush the field and tore down goal post so that argument is just sophomoric.
The small number of Believing parents joining the players would be inconsequential given the lack of post game activity and size of the football field. (53yrd X 100yrd) During pregame activities and warmups both complete teams, coaches, press, medical staff and other game time administrators or officials are all on the field. You could expect 100+ people on the same field at the same time with far more activity than post game. If you want to add the band and cheerleaders on the field the those numbers can escalate so again, just another intellectually vacant excuse.
Witnessing can come in different forms, believe it or not words are not always necessary. Something about Light shining or salt, something like that I think. 🙂 I was on a photographic assignment in Haiti. I had this guy completely oblivious to the surroundings, oblivious of the situation and oblivious to the film crew’s mission, started witnessing to me at the mission compound. He then follow me around on site for about 20min preaching a salvation message while I was trying to work, the guy just wouldn’t shut up. I finally had to stop him and explain to him that we were Believers working on a story. After I explained why we were there, his eyes were just as vacant as before and he moved on to something else.
For witnessing to be effective, time, place and manner all has to be visually observed and respected. A non-sports person with a high daily word quota has to be aware they are the odd man out in a football stadium full of fans and parents. Most folks are there to watch a game, support their kids and escape the pressures of life for a few hours. Talking religion during the game may not be the most effective way of witnessing. I literally wanted to put my hands on the guy that was in my ear and we were both Christians. How a Believer behaves at an emotional sporting event is going to speak louder than any word one may utter.
The 1st Amendment was codified in 1791 so it should be no surprise to educators that that the free expression clause is a protected activity for every US citizen. Any negation of that Right either comes from ignorance of the Bill of Rights or intentional deprivation of that Right. The SCOTUS ruling upheld and affirmed the Bill of Rights. Hard to believe this has to go all the way to the SCOTUS for such a basic Right to be respected.
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dettinger47
June 28, 2022
Great, and well thought-out insights here, Dale. That was a very interesting story about the fellow Haiti.
Being a sports writer, I was able to witness at sporting events. I think it’s a matter of who God brings to you. Sometimes a sporting event can be a perfect place to witness as it it somehow less intimidating to the hearer.
Otherwise, regarding the 1st Amendment, I agree. That this issue even had to go to the Supreme Court is ludicrous. Of course the truth is that public schools want to wipe out all hints of Christianity from their campuses, and society, if they could pull it off.
That day is coming, but it won’t last long as Christ will return shortly after.
As usual, great, thoughtful comments, Dale, and always welcome!!
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Dale Stroud
June 28, 2022
…the following day we were on another sight, a well dressed Haitian man was kneeing down examining some buildings materials. I walked away and a few minutes later this same guy had his preaching materials out and he was witnessing to the Haitian. I walked over tap the guy on the shoulder and told him he was witnessing to the Haitian pastor of the church they were repairing. My point is read the room, don’t do more harm than good in trying to do good. 😜
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Tom
June 28, 2022
David, thanks for expressing your views on these issues. I’m in agreement with pretty much everything you’ve written. I have some reservations about the praying coach issue. Young players idolize their coaches and are strongly susceptible to their influence. If one of my sons played for a Gospel Christian coach who held prayer huddles after each game, I would love it. However, the coach could be a Roman Catholic or a Mormon or a Muslim. I would not want my son being influenced by a non-Christian public school employee in that way. I think attitudes about this issue are different down in the Bible Belt where everybody just assumes everybody else is a born-again Christian.
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dettinger47
June 28, 2022
Great points, Tom, and well stated.
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Adelheid
June 29, 2022
I’m with you about school prayer and coaches, players praying after games. Haven’t touched on Christian bakers and florists, though. And politics, I shun away from it as much as possible. But these are all great thoughts. Thanks, David.
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dettinger47
June 29, 2022
Thank you, Adelheid.
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Lisa Beth
June 29, 2022
Good post David. I always wonder about those who aggressively contend to pray in public – are they praying in their prayer closet at home?
At some point these acts of religious freedom border on self righteousness, losing their witness of humility.
Christianity will ultimately lose its power if launched by human strength. How can we pick up our cross if we’re fighting for our rights?
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dettinger47
June 29, 2022
As usual, great insights, Lisa Beth. I particularly like “witness of humility.” Very intriguing. I might “borrow” that one from you for a blog.
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seekingdivineperspective
June 30, 2022
“Yes, sometimes public prayer can be a wonderful testimony to unbelievers, but oftentimes Christians use it as an in-your-face display of piety or “just try to stop me” bravado.” My thoughts exactly, David. When I have a dilemma regarding what to do, I have to examine my motives, which are often more obvious to others than they are to me.
Every thought you wrote here is, in my opinion, reasonable and valid, and I agree with every point you’ve made. If only everyone had our common sense. 😉
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dettinger47
July 1, 2022
Thank you, Annie. Appreciate your feedback!
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bigskybuckeye
July 3, 2022
David, I appreciate your honesty. Your discussion about prayer in public places asks us to consider the whole picture. Some of these issues are more complex than we think.
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dettinger47
July 3, 2022
Very true. Thank you, Big Sky.
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Shoshana
December 1, 2022
This controversy over prayer in public schools goes too far. As a child in the 70s and 80s, I was shocked to find out people weren’t allowed to pray in public school which I attended. I prayed all the time to myself sometimes “God please let me get an A on that test…” but most likely “God please let my parents come home safely from work…” etc., so I didn’t understand the big deal. I still don’t as Jesus said to pray in private instead of changing out loud by the pagans. Of course now I understand the issue was praying out loud with the class publicly. At the time, I thought “what about the Jewish kid next to me? He isn’t Christian?” Forced Christian prayer for public school students never made sense even as a kid. I was horrified to find out the Catholic school kids had to say the rosary several times a day with “those bead necklaces” or that’s what I thought they were at the time. LOL.
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dettinger47
December 1, 2022
Well said, Shoshana. Thank you for sharing!
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