Written by Don Byrd
Faced with a lawsuit claiming a violation of religious freedom rights, Texas’ Parochial and Private School association, has relented, and will change the start time of today’s state basketball semi-final to accommodate the Beren Academy team’s observance of the Sabbath. It’s a win for religious freedom and common sense, even if it sounds like a grudging accommodation.
Tapps director Edd Burleson told Law Blog that the game will be rescheduled for Friday mid-afternoon, and that if the team advances, the next game will be after 8 p.m. on Saturday, as the Beren had requested.
“We are rescheduling as a result of court action,” said Burleson said. “We received notice that [lawsuit] was being filed, and having dealt with the courts before, the board predetermined that we would comply with a temporary restraining order.”
No matter what happens in the game today, I declare these students a winner – standing up for their rights, prepared to forgo a chance at a state championship in honor of religious principles. TAPPS has learned a valuable lesson too. If possible, why not just accommodate?
