Fox News just can't get enough of that First Amendment free speech thing when it comes to homophobic Christian reality TV stars and bakers who refuse to provide wedding cakes for gay couples. Of course, when atheists put up billboards, the same constitutional protections don't seem to apply. But while the Fox talkers love constitutional speech protections, they either aren't aware of or willfully dismiss the "no law respecting the establishment of religion" part of the First Amendment. This ignorance was on full display, on this morning's Fox & Friends during which Brian Kilmeade praised public school students who are defending their football coach from charges, from an evil atheist group, that he might be in violation of the Constitution when he leads Christian prayers before the game. Brian "all terrorists are Muslims" Kilmeade might have written a history book but he obviously doesn't know jack about the Constitution

The segment was part of Fox's patented "Fight for Faith" series which features stories about how Christians and Christianity are being attacked by the slings and arrows of outrageous atheism. Kilmeade reported that a North Carolina football coach is "under fire for leading his team in prayer." The chyron: "Fumbling the Faith, Group Asks Coach to Stop Religious Activities." Kilmeade read a statement, about the unconstitutionality of the prayer, from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group that seems to be near the top of Fox News' shit list. After Kilmeade reported that students are defending the coach, he showed a student tweet which praised the awesomeness of this coach. Kilmeade asked if the student support will work. (If Kilmeade had bothered to do some googling, he would have found the answer and, based on at least one court decision, it's no.)

The student who wrote the aforementioned tweet was introduced. Dallas Jackson talked about how the coach would join the players in prayers, such as the Christian "Lord's Prayer," and even "pray over" the students. The chyron reinforced the persecuted Christian meme: "Faith Under Fire, School Orders Football Coach to Cease Prayers." To Kilmeade's question, Jackson said that he didn't know of any players who objected. (The local news report says a parent complained.) Jackson added that the coach gives players the option to step out of the prayer huddle. He spoke of how the community is "disappointed" because the coach "helps us grow as men." Kilmeade read another tweet which said that God is stronger than the "pathetic" FFRF.

Ignoring the obvious FACT that a public school employee was leading students in unconstitutional Christian prayer, Kilmeade asked Jackson if "the coach should stop." Jackson, who doesn't seem to have been taught about the "establishment clause," said he didn't believe the coach should stop, but doing so is in the best interest of the school. He spoke about how students need to "take a leadership role" when it comes to the praying. Kilmeade wanted to know if the players will be sued if they pray. (No, Brian, check out Santa Fe Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Doe")

Kilmeade praised Jackson's bravery and said that it's "great" to see how a coach is affecting students like Jackson. He concluded with "good job standing up and fighting for what you believe in."

So, do you think that Kilmeade would support a coach leading students in Islamic prayer? Just saying....