Constitutional Law Scholar John Vile Comments on Kennedy v. Bremerton School District decision

Constitutional Law expert John R. Vile, who is the Dean of the University Honors College at Middle Tennessee State University, recently shared his insights about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Kennedy v. Bremerton School District.

“Today’s 6-3 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, affirming that school teachers and coaches do not lose their right to express their faith as long as they do not coerce students or others to join them, is a victory both for the First Amendment rights to freely exercise one’s religion and for governmental employees to express private religious views, when it is clear that they are not attempting to establish religion by announcing official school policies,” said Dr. Vile, who is also a pastor.

“The decision affirms that although the Constitution forbids governments from establishing religious dogma, it does not fear religion per se, and welcomes individual expressions and exercises of faith.”

Dr. Vile is the author and editor of numerous books on American politics and law, including A Companion to the U.S. Constitution and its Amendments. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary, who earned his Ph.D. in Government from the University of Virginia.