Here’s the problem, schools have become increasingly hostile to any and all forms of Christian expression. The gesture he gave is pretty consistent with the religious expressions of football players that point to the heavens either following a touchdown or at the end of a game or baseball pitchers who point upwards to the heavens after getting that final out. The gestures are not intended to taunt anyone but to recognize God. In that sense it is purely a religious observance.
Any rule which prohibits religious expression is subject to strict scrutiny and the rule must not be so overly broad that it impinges upon a persons right to practice their faith so long as it does not unreasonably interfere with anyone else’s rights.
In this case any rule which would prevent an athlete from making any gesture that could be interpreted as being a religious expression should be void on its face. The kid’s actual motives are irrelevant in that the rule itself is unconstitutionally overbroad.
Maybe his claim that this was a religious expression was an afterthought, but the government cannot make an inquiry as to whether or not he is truly religious. The only inquiry is whether this gesture can be interpreted as a religious gesture. If it can, then the rule cannot prohibit it.
That is a good explanation. Anything that can be interpreted as a religious expression should over-ride. However, in this case, the officials cannot be faulted. No one knows the "Finger = God" expression, whether that's what the kid meant or not. (And which I still think is not likely. I think the officials are right: One finger pointed to the sky after winning equals "#1" being broadcast to the crowd.) Therefore, the officials must enforce a relatively dumb rule, although an NFL endzone celebration makes me puke. That is far more, though, than one finger pointed to the sky.
I have heard that a hip-swaying, shouting, gaggle of celebrants is really a liturgical dance in honor of God.
LOL!