There are so many levels on which to comment on this story, I don’t know where to start.

1. A coach getting ten of his players baptized before football season: is there some need of divine intervention on the playing field for this team?

2. How much of a surprise were these baptisms: for the players or for the minister? I’m supposing the font or whatever was all warmed up and ready to go, right?

3. Baptism prep? Does it count if the guys are running two-a-day drills as part of the experience of knowing the death of Christ?

4. Baptizing minors without parental permission? The minister’s excuse: “Sometimes 16-year-olds look like 18 years. We did the best we could.” What’s next for Rev Ron Davis: carding before immersion? He did know his parishioner coached high school football, right?

5. Using government property to transport players?

6. The school superintendent was present at the baptisms. She was a church member, in fact.

7. The players who attended were promised a free steak dinner. Who picked up the tab for that: the school district, the coaches, or the church?

8. “Matt Staver, founder and general counsel for Liberty Counsel … compared it to a coach inviting players to attend a play or to go see a baseball game.” Nice. Baptism equated with good entertainment.

What have I missed? I’m sure there’s something else here big enough to drive John Madden’s bus through, but I’ll leave it in your hands.

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