Claim: Girls Kicked Off Softball Team For Refusing Mormon Prayer
[su_right_ad]Three public school girls in Mesa, AZ say they were kicked off the varsity softball team because they did not want to participate in prayer.
According to a complaint filed in a federal court in Arizona, the three girls were “penalized for not conducting ‘team prayer’ in accordance with the directive of Joseph Goodman,” the team’s coach. Coach Goodman, allegedly acted “for himself and at the behest of certain parents that were part of the [Mormon] Church.”
The complaint paints a picture of a community where Mormon parents and students demanded the ability to micromanage other students’ lives. During a 2014 tournament, for example, the suit alleges that the plaintiffs liked to play “contemporary hip-hop and other popular music liked by teenage girls,” but that they were punished for doing so because one girl on the team thought that the music offended her “religious sensitivities.” At another point, the suit alleges that this girl’s parent monitored tweets sent by one of the three plaintiffs, and that certain “[s]ocial media postings made” by this plaintiff “were reported by certain [Mormon] Church members to Joseph Goodman at his direction and request.”
These “social media postings” allegedly also played a role in the decision to punish this plaintiff. Yet, it is unclear what exactly she said that community members found offensive. According to a brief filed by the plaintiffs’ attorney, “[w]hile Plaintiffs have asked the school and Joseph Goodman to identify the speech that materially interfered with school district operations,” the brief explains, “exactly zero information was provided.”
The school, for its part, defends its decision to punish a student for her music and out-of-school comments by arguing that Goodman had a right to sanction someone who endangered “team morale and unity.”[su_csky_ad]
Carla Akins December 10th, 2014 at 7:15 am
School rules have a different standard than constitutional rules – that said I can see where the music could be an issue and even tweets sent out into the Interwebz but they cannot punish a child in a public school for failing to participate in a prayer.
The appearance of leverage by other parents due to their religious beliefs instead of school policy should not be allowed. The entire reasons that schools standards/rules are different is so that all are treated equal in their efforts to receive an education, and that certain behaviors (although Constitutional) due not disrupt the learning environment. None of which seems to be the case here. The coach should be censured and perhaps a letter to parents regarding religion and public schools.
Larry Schmitt December 10th, 2014 at 7:24 am
If this bully Goodman wants to coach a team sponsored by the Mormons, where he can have only Mormons on the team, and they can pray as much as they want, then do it already. But he can’t do that crap at a public school. This is just too obvious. But I’m not surprised it happened in Mesa, with one of the highest concentrations of Mormons. It was even settled by Mormons.
Budda December 10th, 2014 at 9:56 am
or, don’t allow any Mormons on the team…because of their distractions.
Wonder how that would work out?
Larry Schmitt December 10th, 2014 at 10:12 am
How fast would they be suing if that happened?
rg9rts December 10th, 2014 at 9:02 am
How about a good attorney and a multi million dollar suit to get their attention.
Carla Akins December 10th, 2014 at 10:00 am
The administration has a lot of explaining to do. Coaches should not be making this type of policy driven decision without their input. The fact they cannot provide the requested documentation does not bode well for them. Unfortunately, a big dollar lawsuit often seems the only way to get their attention.
rg9rts December 10th, 2014 at 10:08 am
Money talks….nobody walks….
Larry Schmitt December 10th, 2014 at 10:15 am
This is exactly like when Fisher DeBerry ran a Christian football team at Air Force back in the 80’s and 90’s. Bible quotes on banners in the locker room, mandatory prayer meetings, at a taxpayer funded school.
Carla Akins December 10th, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Uggh. Brian Fisher.
rg9rts December 10th, 2014 at 9:01 am
Separation of church and state ring any bells with these clowns????
AJ SAIZ December 11th, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Get out the Check Book……