John,

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District case regarding Coach Joseph Kennedy’s free exercise of religion. Coach Kennedy was fired from a public school in Washington State after he exercised his religious freedom by praying briefly at the 50-yard line. In March, Texas Values, along with Family Policy Alliance and other state family policy councils filed a legal amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Coach Kennedy.  This case will impact voluntary prayer at football games for the entire country, including TEXAS!! Please donate today to help us be the leading state-based Christian voice and protectors of religious freedom in Texas.

Coach Kennedy began saying a brief prayer following games years ago. Initially, he did so alone, but some students asked him what he was doing. When they asked if they could join, he responded, “This is a free country,” and “You can do what you want.”

Some students joined in on the prayers; other days he prayed alone. Kennedy’s prayers went apparently unnoticed by school officials for seven years. The school demanded he stops. When he refused, the school fired him. An issue before the Supreme Court is whether the First Amendment speech and religious rights protect Kennedy’s brief prayer following games and whether the Establishment Clause justifies his dismissal. 

The clear message sent by the school district is that of hostility toward religion. The Establishment Clause and First Amendment rights have always protected against this type of hostility by governmental entities against the religious activity. 

Coach Kennedy is represented by First Liberty Institute, which is headed by Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO of First Liberty Institute, and Texas Values board member.

The issues of free speech and religious exercise are once again at the forefront of the culture and are being put to the test like never before. The justices peppered the attorneys with questions and hypotheticals, trying to figure out where to draw the line between public speech versus a public employee’s private speech and religious expression that is allowed versus a government endorsement of religion, which is not. 

Your support for Texas Values allows us to continue to fight for one of our most fundamental rights!

Again, none of this is possible, without your continued support. So thank you for everything you are doing to support our pro-life efforts throughout Texas!

God Bless,

Texas Values

P.S. And if you are in the DFW area, you can get your tickets now!

On June 1, Texas Values will host an event titled, “Our Pro-Life Moment: 9 Month Celebration of the Texas Heartbeat Law, Dobbs Supreme Court Case, & A Vision for a Post-Roe America.” 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Students for Life’s Kristan Hawkins, and Texas Sen. Bryan Hughes (Author of the Texas Heartbeat Law) as speakers on June 1.  There is also a VIP meet and greet option.  Join us in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for this event.  More details coming soon!
See more at www.ourprolifemoment.com.