Discrimination, oppression, and the War on Christianity

[tackattack]

I get that you want it to be just about playing ball. But nothing I can think of is that black and white. People's beliefs, stigmas, opinions, and privilege play into almost everything we do. Unless you want coaches to all be robots, I don't see a solution that's cut and dry. I get that it should be done freely. Where does that freedom start? With the parent who signs up their child, the coach who huddles the team, the boy who wants to say a prayer? I don't agree that it should only be done by students. The line between personal expression of a belief and how it impacts others is still murky for me. I still feel intent plays the strongest role in making those lines. Do you disagree?

I didn't realize it was expecting coaches to 'act like a robot' to expect them not to lead their team in a prayer.   Apparently I've been a 'robotic' cheerleading coach, because I've never once led my students in prayer or even mentioned god.  (Or rather, a lackthereof, and how silly it is to believe in such nonsense)

Which is exactly my point. It's not just that you only talked about cheer. You feel God and prayer are "silly ...to believe such nonsense". You don't think that comes out in your mannerisms or side comments as a coach? And what if someone wanted to talk about God or prayer but was afraid they'd be singled out and laughed at for their silly beliefs?

We can't separate who we are and what we believe from what we do. So what's the differentiating factor? Neither one of you answered the relevant question. If you make someone uncomfortable by being who you are and expressing yourself, should intent matter or is it always wrong? I believe this is the very basis of the social contract and you have to be ready to be offended if you want the freedom to express yourself publicly.


@arewethereyet - maybe it would be a little clearer to me if you could define the difference between "urging your belief system onto others", expressing myself and indoctrinating children?