I am a Christian and for 34 years I have taught about our republic and its basis in our Constitution. Both of these beliefs cause me to write regarding the proposed law on the subject of government and religion recently introduced in our state Legislature and motivated by the case of an assistant coach formerly employed by the Bremerton School District.

Having personally experienced government enforced religious belief, our Founders in the very first Amendment to our Constitution prohibited our government from establishing or promoting any religion, feeling that this is strictly a personal decision. In light of this prohibition, our government agencies are forbidden by law to promote religious practices which, of course, includes their employees or representatives while performing their duties.

In the matter of Coach Kennedy, I wish to point out the following. As such, he was on duty until the players had shed their uniforms, cleaned up and left the school premises. Until then, he was in a position of authority over these players on behalf of the district.

While students on their own can pray on and off campus at any time they wish, an employee on duty and having

authority over them and leading them in prayer is promoting religious belief. No matter how worthy Mr. Kennedy’s intent, his actions are unconstitutional.

Therefore, the district board was not only acting correctly but indeed had a duty to discipline Mr. Kennedy and, when he persisted, to dismiss him. To do otherwise is to open our schools to all religions — Satanism, atheism, etc.

In conclusion: to legalize by law religious interference in our public schools is not only unconstitutional, but an extremely dangerous and divisive idea.

Leslie Harrison

Bremerton