FFRF victories (September 2024)
By Greg Fletcher
FFRF pushes back against community college prayer
FFRF was able to stop a teacher from offering prayers to students in the nursing program at the Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, N.C.
A concerned Southeastern Community College student reported that, on March 28, an instructor in the nursing program led the class in prayer just prior to scheduled testing. FFRF’s complainant reported that this was a frequent occurrence and that the instructor regularly asked to pray over the class or spoke about prayer during class. The complainant chose not to participate in the program due to the instructor’s inappropriate conduct and feared retaliation for speaking out about the behavior.
FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line contacted Chris English, the college’s president. The college’s Director of Human Resources Ian Callahan informed FFRF of the college’s response via email. “There should be no future concerns with the report of religious activities involving our instructors in the classroom setting,” Callahan wrote. “We here at Southeastern Community College strive to investigate and remedy all concerns reported by our students.”
FCA ‘character coach’ no longer proselytizing
Clay County District Schools in Green Cove Springs, Fla., has taken action to end proselytization from a religious “character coach” after FFRF got involved.
FFRF received a report that the district’s high schools were permitting an outside adult — specifically, the head pastor at the First Baptist Church of Orange Park and a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) “character coach” — to inappropriately participate in the district’s school-sponsored high school athletics program. This was confirmed thanks to a post from the pastor’s official X account, reading, “I love being able to serve as the character coach for our local high school sports teams. Able to provide copies of the Athlete’s Bible from the FCA for student-athletes who desire one (absolutely no pressure for athletes to take one.)”
FFRF Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to Superintendent David Broskie with FFRF’s concerns. Broskie replied to FFRF in early July. “The district has taken your correspondence into consideration and has done a thorough investigation into the allegation involving [the pastor] and his involvement with student athletics and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes,” Broskie wrote in an email. “The district has met with both [the pastor] and the principal to ensure that all [school codes ] are followed with fidelity.”
FFRF stops solicitation at Ky. school district
The Carter County Schools system in Grayson, Ky., will no longer allow the Grayson First Church of Christ to attempt to recruit middle school students to the church.
A concerned district community member reported that East Carter Middle School allowed two representatives of the church to enter the school and approach students in order to invite them to religious activities. The complainant specifically referenced an incident on March 7, 2023, wherein the church distributed flyers to students during the school day, inviting them to participate in the church’s new afterschool program.
FFRF Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to Superintendent Dr. Paul Green, who emailed FFRF back, informing it that action had been taken shortly after receiving FFRF’s letter, despite having not written back in over a year. “School administrators were provided training in appropriate policy for allowing the distribution of material,” he wrote. “To my knowledge, no further allegations have been made.”
FFRF takes on violations in La. school district
FFRF worked to remove multiple religious violations, including religious instruction to children, from the West Carroll Parish Schools system in Oak Grove, La.
A student’s parent reported that on Dec. 19, 2023, their child returned home from Oak Grove Elementary School with several overtly Christian assignments from the kindergarten teacher. The assignments explicitly referenced the Christian god, Jesus Christ and the Christian nativity story. One coloring page required kindergarteners to color a Christian nativity scene depicting the biblical story of the birth of Jesus. The same teacher also showed the class a religious film about Jesus Christ, while a Pre-K teacher led a class of four-year-old children in an explicitly Christian prayer before the students were allowed to eat. Finally, the superintendent had a quotation referencing God on his district profile. The quotation, “Success is not measured by what you do compared to what others do; it is measured by what you do with the ability God gave you” was directly under his official headshot.
After FFRF Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district, the superintendent reported to FFRF that he had requested the quote be removed from his page. “I honestly think it was left there from the previous superintendent. I do not remember providing that quote and typically include meaningful quotes from others in my letters and emails and letters,” he wrote. Additionally, he promised to meet with the principal and teachers at Oak Grove Elementary the following week to discuss the concerns. In July, FFRF confirmed that the meeting took place with the school and the employees.
FFRF protects students from proselytizing teacher
After hearing from FFRF, a teacher from the Lee County Schools system in North Carolina is no longer engaging in multiple religious activities during the school day.
A community member reported that a social studies teacher at Lee High School was promoting their personal religious beliefs to students in their classroom. FFRF understood that the teacher wrote bible verses on the board in the classroom multiple times and regularly played Christian music while students were present. The teacher regularly wore a shirt in class reading, “Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.”
FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to the district detailing FFRF’s concerns. Stephen Rawson, legal representative for the district, emailed FFRF, informing that corrective action had been taken after the initial letter of complaint. “The administration reviewed this matter carefully at the time of our previous correspondence, and met with the teacher who was the focus of the complaint. [They] understood the concern and agreed to stop playing the music that was part of the complaint,” Rawson wrote. Additionally, while the administration was not able to find evidence of the other violations, the teacher was also warned about them to prevent further unconstitutional behavior.
FFRF gets bible verse removed from jobs center
The Texas Job Corps Center in McKinney, Texas, removed a bible verse from the cafeteria after FFRF took notice.
A student reported that the center displayed a bible verse in the cafeteria near the front of the food service line, reading, “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Acts 2:46.” The complainant reported being secular and feeling that displaying a bible verse in the center’s cafeteria directly conflicted with the fact that the center’s program is public and encourages religious diversity.
While FFRF never heard back from the center after FFRF Attorney Sammi Lawrence contacted it, the complainant contacted FFRF to inform it that the bible verse had been removed from the cafeteria.
Bible distribution ended in Ga. school district
FFRF put a stop to the distribution of Gideon bibles at the Thomaston-Upson Schools system in Thomaston, Ga.
FFRF was informed that, each year, the district allowed the Gideons to come into Upson Lee Elementary School and distribute bibles to fifth-grade students. Reportedly, the Gideons set up a table right outside the fifth-grade wing, and, during instructional time, students were lined up to walk through and pick up bibles.
After FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to Superintendent Larry Derico, FFRF heard back from him. “As superintendent, it has been my practice to remind school district administrators of the benefits and detriments of creating a limited public forum and its impact on the separation of church and state,” he wrote. Derico stated that he advised that the distribution of Gideon bibles on school campuses would not be permitted.
W. Va. senior center to stop pre-meal prayers
FFRF wrote to the Gilmer County Senior Center in Glenville, W. Va., twice to ensure that employees of a state-funded senior center would not engage in unconstitutional pre-meal prayer.
A community member informed FFRF that Gilmer County Senior Center employees had been leading Christian prayers during lunch. The complainant reported that the senior center felt more like a church than a senior center, and due to this religious environment, they have been afraid to raise their concerns with staff directly.
In response, the executive director wrote back, saying that “the seniors that come into the Gilmer County Senior Center want to have prayer before lunch.” Prayers were scheduled at 11:30 if “anyone wants to participate.”
“While we appreciate that you have indicated the employees will cease leading prayer, the senior center cannot have any involvement in lunch prayers,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote in a follow up letter. “It cannot help seniors who wish to have a collective prayer to impose a group prayer on those seniors who don’t want to pray. Seniors are free to pray to themselves before lunch or whenever they please.”
After receiving the second letter, the director noted that the senior center would comply with the Constitution. “I have taken the prayer post down. My employees will not lead any prayer while they are on company time,” they wrote.
Latin cross removed from N.C. classroom
FFRF had a Latin cross and a bible verse removed from the Guilford County Schools system in Greensboro, N.C.
On March 21, 2023, FFRF sent a letter to Guilford County Schools after being informed that Northwest Guilford Middle School was displaying a decoration in a classroom that included a Latin cross and a bible verse, reading, “Let the field be joyful and all that is in it — Psalm 96:12.”
FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to District Superintendent Whitney Oakley and followed up to ensure that the display was not still standing. Legal representation from the district called and confirmed that the district had taken it down the day the district received the letter, and was unaware that no one from the district had reached out to report the corrective action.
FFRF removes God from Kansas poll worker oath
FFRF got the Johnson County Election Office in Olathe, Kan., to remove a reference to God in the poll worker’s oath.
A Johnson County resident reported that all citizens who wanted to work as poll workers were required to swear an oath to God in order to serve. The complainant reported that the form necessary to become a poll worker required the applicant to sign a statement saying, “I solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Kansas,” but the oath/affirmation ends, “so help me God.”
After FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to the Johnson County Election Office Election Commissioner. the assistant county counselor replied that it was not in complete agreement with FFRF, but had taken action regardless. “We appreciated your client’s concern and recognized the practice of providing secular alternatives, as has been approved by courts in other jurisdictions,” they wrote. “We also began offering the words ‘upon my word and honor’ as an alternative to the words ‘so help me God.’”
FFRF strikes prayer from S.C. grad ceremonies
FFRF took action after the Bridges Preparatory School principal delivered a prayer before the 2024 graduation ceremony.
A Bridges Preparatory School parent reported that on May 31 the school’s graduation ceremony included a scheduled invocation delivered by the principal, referencing a “heavenly father.”
FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to the district’s superintendent.
The district’s legal counsel, Erik T. Norton, wrote back to FFRF. “This is the first such complaint regarding the graduation ceremony at Bridges that has been brought to the district,” Norton wrote. “The attorney for Bridges subsequently counseled the school on compliance with this guidance and applicable federal law.”
Baccalaureate ceremonies no longer school-backed
Religious baccalaureate ceremonies will no longer be school sponsored at the Hart County Charter System in Hartwell, Ga., thanks to FFRF’s advocacy.
A student reported that each year Hart County High School sponsors and hosts a religious baccalaureate ceremony. The complainant reported that students were required to help fund the religious service with their class dues in 2023. The complainant included an image from the student handbook showing the school not only hosting the religious event, but also requiring students to pay for the event regardless of whether they wanted to attend. Additionally, the school advertised and promoted the ceremony alongside other official graduation activities on its website and official social media pages. The event was even streamed live on the school’s official Facebook page.
FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to District Superintendent Jennifer Carter outlining the violation. FFRF heard from the district’s legal counsel, Cory O. Kirby, who worked with the district to bring it more in line with the Constitution. “Ms. Carter, Superintendent, has met with high school personnel to discuss the changes required for baccalaureate next year. Those changes include no school or school employee active involvement,” Kirby wrote.
Decalogue removed from Ky. courthouse twice
FFRF has ensured a Ten Commandments display from the courthouse in Taylorsville, Ky., would stay removed.
In December 2023, FFRF was informed by a concerned resident that the Ten Commandments were currently displayed inside the Spencer County Courthouse. FFRF spoke with Corey Thomas, the Spencer County attorney in February 2024, who confirmed that the display had been taken down.
However, in late June, FFRF was notified that the Ten Commandments were on display once again. FFRF’s original complainant confirmed that it was the same display that was allegedly removed in February, which sparked the question of whether or not the display had been removed at all.
FFRF Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote back to Thomas.
“I’ve shared your previous correspondence with the clerk who, I’m sure you’re aware, is an independently elected constitutional office holder,” he wrote. “The display has been taken down. The clerk has been made aware of the need for permanency regarding the removal of the display.”
FFRF removes Christian poster from classroom
A teacher at West Rapids Elementary School in Grand Rapids, Minn., removed a poster referencing God after FFRF reminded the district of its constitutional obligation to remain secular.
In November 2023, a concerned parent reported that a kindergarten teacher had a religious poster displayed in the classroom in full view of students. The poster reads, “Just think, you’re here not by chance, but by God’s choosing to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.” FFRF understood that the poster had been on display since at least Sept. 7.
After FFRF Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to Superintendent Matt Grose about the constitutional violation, Grose finally responded in August. “It was removed at the end of last school year,” he confirmed.
FFRF ends school field trip to a religious ranch
FFRF fought to keep elementary school children in the General McLane School District in Pennsylvania from being taken to a religious ranch to be proselytized.
A concerned GMSD parent reported that, in May 2023, first-grade students of McKean Elementary School participated in a field trip, which included prayer and proselytizing remarks. The field trip occurred at WLD Ranch, whose mission is “to guide campers and guests to Jesus as the Truth in life.” FFRF’s complainant reported that a WLD Ranch staff member gathered the students together to engage in a prayer prior to a horseback-riding activity. Additionally, the complainant was uneasy that a field trip would take place at a Christian camp, but they wanted to give the school the benefit of the doubt that there would be no religious instruction. The unease then turned to mistrust in GMSD after learning that children were coerced into prayer.
FFRF Staff Attorney Madeline Ziegler contacted Superintendent Matt Lane. On Aug. 13, 2023, Lane wrote back to Ziegler via email, writing that he “understood the concern,” and instead, would be “informing families/students that this trip does offer a prayer opportunity, but this opportunity is completely optional, not required for participation, and not a part of the district program.”
After receiving the email, Ziegler pushed back, writing that “it is not realistic to expect children as young as 6 years old to be one of the few to not go along with the rest of the class to pray, and the district should not be allowing the students in its care to be put in the position to make this choice.” After nearly a year of silence, FFRF received a follow-up letter from Lane, writing, “students at General McLane are no longer attending WLD Ranch as part of a school-sponsored trip.”
