Reply #14: I really have no problem with these voluntarily attended, with exceptions. [View All]

[keopeli]

I think having a spiritual reconciliation is a good thing. I recognize that many, many Americans are Christian, and are GOOD Christians at that. (Or at least neutral with regard to practicing a form of religion.) What's wrong with a college football coach (who is an educator) showing either tacit approval of voluntary religious rituals outside team events or actively encouraging spiritual reconciliation among team members to promote harmony among races and cultures?

Whatever oversight the coach, who is an employee of a public institution, deems appropriate must prevent coercion between the staff and students, even if it is secondary (i.e. asst. coach gets his youth group to knock on the doors of teammates). Also, religious observances must never be compulsory and organized observances should not occur during regular team meetings. Individual acts of religious practice, such as personal prayers, should be done in private. (This is, after all, what Paul teaches in the Bible.)

And, if any religious practice (as is described in this article) becomes evident, I would advocate a healthy conversation on the topic annually with the team, emphasizing diversity, tolerance, and mutual support.