Joseph Kennedy & Supreme Court: Religious Liberty Case Distorted by Left

When it comes to publications correctly assessing the Supreme Court case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, left-leaning publications Slate and Vox are currently 0–2. By way of background, the case concerns high-school football coach Joseph Kennedy. Kennedy had taken to praying at the 50-yard line after games — first alone, and then later with significant student involvement. The school prohibited him from making these prayers, eventually firing him when he said he would continue the practice regardless.

In previewing oral arguments heard by the Court last week, Mark Joseph Stern and Dahlia Lithwick distorted the case’s facts and the law to alarm Slate’s progressive readership. (Ed Whelan rightly pegged problems with this article when it came out.) In their telling, Kennedy sought to dismantle the First Amendment’s establishment clause, undoing the line between church and state.

About the Author

Adam M. Carrington

Adam M. Carrington is an associate professor of politics at Hillsdale College.

Featured Tags

When it comes to publications correctly assessing the Supreme Court case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, left-leaning publications Slate and Vox are currently 0–2. By way of background, the case concerns high-school football coach Joseph Kennedy. Kennedy had taken to praying at the 50-yard line after games — first alone, and then later with significant student involvement. The school prohibited him from making these prayers, eventually firing him when he said he would continue the practice regardless.

In previewing oral arguments heard by the Court last week, Mark Joseph Stern and Dahlia Lithwick distorted the case’s facts and the law to alarm Slate’s progressive readership. (Ed Whelan rightly pegged problems with this article when it came out.) In their telling, Kennedy sought to dismantle the First Amendment’s establishment clause, undoing the line between church and state.