He's NOT violating the 1st Amendment.
Those that would prohibit the free exercise thereof are the ones, in fact, stepping on the Constitution. Had he told the students that they would fail or somehow otherwise coerced them on this trip, then he would be wrong.
Where does that leave parental rights Thor? Has a parent not the right to raise their children in the traditions of their forefathers.? Who has the nerve to tell a child that their heritage is all wrong and their roots are filled with people who went to hell.?
Suppose for one moment that the coach was a practicing Satenest and brought the kids to a Satanic baptism. Or a practicing Muslem and brought them to a Mosque to decide if they wish to convert to Islam.?
Reverse this to bring Muslem students to a Christian church and baptising them, Oh bloody Hell what a ruckus that would cause.
Parents today as forever it seems have a hard enough time raising even kids that follow the advice and life style of their parents. Does this not further even a bigger problem for parents when their kids are told that their parents are not raising them correctly in any aspect. If outsiders convince a kid his parents are going to Hell because of their beliefs why listen to the parent on any other moral teachings.?
Just what a kid needs that has a bit of a rebellious streak is to have outsiders give them an excuse to ignore the teaching of their parents and decide at a young age to put outsiders above their family's teachings.
I can see why family unity is being destroyed by well meaning outsiders, they say the family that prays together stays together. Now you come into that family's life and separate a child from the traditions and beliefs of the others in the family, make them an outsider to their siblings, parents, grandparents, Aunts and Uncles. Cousins, at the tender age of 13-17 then the circle has been broken for that child.
This is what cults do to young adults, separate the children from their family's identity and make the cult their family alienate them from their blood.
The actions of the Coach serves to drive a wedge between the child and their family.
If you are religious in any way, don't send your child to Church TAKE them., teach them and as an adult the child will have something under their belt to work with if they wish to either accept or reject things of the Spirit.
Parental rights to raise minor children in the faith of the family, to build a bond from the past to the present. Parental rights to decide the upbringing of their child, what they eat, what they wear, what schools they attend and what Church they go to.
When it comes to family unit this is so dangerous, a high school teacher telling children that their parents are evil or at best unconcerned with their soul.
Ah what the heck, no law that says a child cannot be baptised in 100 different faiths, but, you get a kid that wants an excuse to jack up their parents, act out, this is tailored to give kids justification for any rule the family puts down.
Just another cult that separates a child from their family in order to serve their needs.
I believe that were any teacher or stranger were to interfear with my raising my kids, I at this day would just now be getting out of prison for using what I consider self defence for an attack on my family and my parental rights.
Sorry for the rant Thor, and yes I am following with much interest the young girl that says she is afraid to go home because she converted to Christianity. She may be right on the money but I believe it is her brother she fears, but, that's another story.