FFRF protests graduation, athletic prayers

August 12, 2011 | Filed under: School Prayer,Secular Press Releases | Posted by:

The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter of complaint on behalf of concerned parents and other Mississippi FFRF members to DeSoto County Schools in Hernando. The Aug. 10 letter to Superintendent Milton Kuykendall objects to prayer at athletic events and at high school graduations.

FFRF, a state-church watchdog based in Madison, Wis., is the nation’s largest group of atheists, agnostics and freethinkers, with more than 16,000 members, including many in Mississippi.

"It is our information and understanding that prayers are given over the loudspeaker at high school football games, basketball games and other sporting events," wrote Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt.

"It is also our information and understanding that students are often encouraged by their teachers to pray before meals. Our complainant also informs us that a prayer each year at the graduation ceremony, some led by students and some led by you, the superintendent. We understand these prayers are mostly Christian-based prayers."

Schmitt noted that it’s illegal for a public school to organize, sponsor and lead prayers at athletic events, and that the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly struck down formal teacher or school-led prayer in public schools. "More importantly, the Supreme Court has struck down pregame invocations even when they are student initiated."

The nation’s highest court has also struck down prayers at public high school graduations, noted Schmitt, citing [ital] Lee v. Weisman and several other cases. "It is no defense that graduations are events at which participation or attendance is voluntary. Courts have summarily rejected arguments that voluntariness excuses a constitutional violation.

"The law is clear. High school graduations must also be secular to protect the freedom of conscience of all students."

Schmitt concluded, "We ask that the school district commence an immediate investigation into the complaints alleged, and take immediate action to stop any and all prayers occurring before any athletic events and graduation ceremonies. We ask that you promptly inform us in writing of the steps DeSoto County Schools will take to remedy this serious and flagrant violation of the First Amendment."

Related articles:

  1. FFRF complaint helps stop Calif. graduation prayer
  2. FFRF objects to Tennessee school prayer
  3. Principal pushed school prayer
  4. FFRF to Tennessee: Keep prayer out of school events
  5. Americans United Files Lawsuit Against Texas School District Over Graduation Prayers

7 Responses to FFRF protests graduation, athletic prayers

  1. avatar Christy Coats August 18, 2011 - 1:29 am

    I am very heart-broken that a nation founded on Christian principles is coming to this point. We as Christians need to step up and all work together. We need to bring God back in the system. We have been silent way too long. One Nation Under God!!!

    Reply
  2. avatar Sarah August 18, 2011 - 7:13 pm

    It is very sad that people choose to persecute students and faculty for prayer, when we live in a society where such foul acts occur everyday. Prayer at athletic events and graduations isn't about indoctrinating children, but for showing humility and being grateful for the students, parents, teachers, and coaches that are involved.

    And newsflash FFRF: atheism is a religion. Why anything comes to be here at all, and whether there is anything behind the things science observes is not a scientific question. The statement that there is a creator, and the statement that there is no such thing, are not statements that science can make. They are both religious beliefs.

    Reply
  3. avatar Nancy August 19, 2011 - 8:51 am

    Religion is the belief in a god or gods. Athiesm is the belief that there is no god/gods therefore no religion.

    Reply
    • avatar Mike Daniels August 19, 2011 - 11:29 am

      Nancy, technically atheism is lack of belief in gods.

      Believing there are no gods is an active belief, and an act of faith. Since it is not possible to prove a negative, believing that gods do not exist is an act of faith.

      Gnostic atheism is the faith position which states that there are no gods.

      Most atheists of whom I'm aware are agnostic atheists, who say simply, "The available evidence does not support belief in gods".

      Reply
    • avatar Ed-words August 19, 2011 - 3:29 pm

      R.Dawkins believes god's existence to be highly improbable.

      If "There is no God" is a 7.0. Dawkins is a 6.99999999

      Reply
  4. avatar Nancy August 19, 2011 - 8:55 am

    Sarah if you want to pray please do it on your own time and not at a public event. If youall want to hold a prayer meeting at the church before the game you are welcome to do so but that is where such praying should be done not at a public event that those who do not believe will have to in some cases pay money to listen to.

    Reply

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