Greg Bean’s commentary ignores the basic problem with recognizing a religious event in a school setting … it assumes that all of those present are willing participants.

Not one of those present feels pressure to accept the will of the majority.

Not one of those present feels that the authority figure there — the teacher/coach — is making a statement by bowing his/her head in prayer and that they may be isolated or ridiculed if they don’t also participate.

This is what church is for. This is not what school is for. It is the one environment where we owe it to our children to leave religious pressure out.

[East Brunswick High School] football coach Marcus Borden is “allowed to freely exercise his own religion and freedom of speech.” He should, however, be restricted from doing it where his role would pressure those over whom he exercises authority.

Mile Austin

Fair Haven