CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY JUNE 29, 2022
I AM OF TWO MINDS ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT’S RULING THAT FOOTBALL COACH JOHN KENNEDY WAS WITHIN HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO KNEEL AND PRAY ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD AFTER A GAME. KENNEDY WAS FIRED FOR DISOBEYING A SCHOOL ORDER TO EITHER STOP OR MOVE TO A ROOM OUT OF SIGHT.
THE COURT UNDER LIBERAL MAJORITIES HAS BEEN HOSTILE TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND TILTED TOWARD THE WILL OF THE SECULARISTS. KENNEDY WAS WELL WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION’S PROTECTION TO FREELY EXERCISE HIS FAITH. THERE WAS NO PROOF AS THE MINORITY ALLEGED THAT HE INTIMIDATED PLAYERS INTO JOINING HIM FOR FEAR THEY MIGHT NOT PLAY AS MUCH IF THEY DIDN’T.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THIS IS WHAT JESUS SAID: “BUT WHEN YOU PRAY, GO INTO YOUR ROOM, CLOSE THE DOOR AND PRAY TO YOUR FATHER, WHO IS UNSEEN. THEN, YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, WILL REWARD YOU.” THAT’S MATTHEW 6:6. JESUS WAS ADDRESSING THE HYPOCRISY OF THE PHARISEES WHO LIKED TO MAKE LONG PUBLIC PRAYERS TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THEMSELVES.
I AM NOT SAYING THAT COACH KENNEDY AND THE PLAYERS WHO LATER JOINED HIM SHOULD NOT HAVE PRAYED AND THANKED GOD THERE WERE NO INJURIES, IF THAT WAS THE INTENT OF THEIR PRAYER. NOR AM I SAYING IT WAS NOT A GOOD WITNESS TO UNBELIEVERS AND AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO BELIEVERS. PERHAPS IT WAS BOTH.
IN OUR DAY, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PRAYER CAN BE GOOD, BUT THE WORDS OF JESUS ARE COMPELLING. I’M CAL THOMAS.
