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High school faces criticism after football team hosts ‘illegal’ baptism for players
Although an Alabama high school coach was praised for caring about the “hearts” of his football players in organizing a team baptism, a religious watchdog group claims the act was a violation of students’ civil rights. Now, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is demanding the school district stop “further illegal religious events.”
“It is inappropriate for a public school district to proselytize students by organizing a team baptism,” reads a letter from FFRF, addressed to the Washington County Schools Superintendent John Dickey. “It is equally inappropriate and unconstitutional for coaches to have participated, even if students or the [Fellowship of Christian Athletes] organized the baptism.”
In a Facebook video posted by a local Baptist church leader, members of the Washington High School County football team were baptized on what appears to be the school’s football field in Chatom, Ala.
An unidentified pastor begins the religious ceremony, held on May 16, by praising the team’s head coach, Devin Roberts, for organizing the event for his players.
“None of this would be going on without head coach Devin Roberts,” the pastor says in the video.
“Now, Devin Roberts is not normal— this is not going on all over the United States. I’ve see it in a few places and it’s pretty neat but Coach Devon Roberts is not only the kind of guy that loves his players for how well they do in the weight room and on the field… but he’s also concerned about their hearts.”
In the ceremony, the student-athletes line up to step into a large gray tub filled with water. After each student agrees to “accept Jesus,” the pastor dips their head into the water as the crowd claps and cheers.
“This is the profession of your faith, now I baptize you in the name of the father, son and holy spirit,” the pastor said to each of the kids baptized.
Alabama; where you get to pick and choose which parts of the Constitution you want to follow. I was so fucking glad to see that state in my rear view mirror when I left.
". . . those who claim to know the Mind of God, who will tell you what God thinks and how He will judge and condemn others—those people are the greatest of all blasphemers." Aloysius Xingu Leng Pendergast
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