Alabama high school told to quit broadcasting pregame prayer

October 27, 2017 / Athletic AdministrationCoaching
An Alabama high school this week was ordered by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) to quit broadcasting a pregame prayer at football games.

The FFRF sent a letter Monday to Mobile County Public Schools Superintendent Martha Peek, notifying the district that it had received a complaint from a local resident. The report indicated that a prayer was broadcast just before the National Anthem, and moments before kickoff of the game between B.C. Rain High School and Daphne High School.

In the letter, attorney Christopher Line asked that the district outline the steps it will take to “remedy this serious violation of the First Amendment.”

From the letter:

The Supreme Court has specifically struck down invocations given over the loudspeaker at public school athletic events, even when student-led. 

Public school events must be secular to protect the freedom of conscience of all students. A reasonable district student would certainly perceive the prayers “as stamped with her school’s seal of approval.”

The FFRF cited a 2000 Supreme Court case in which it struck down a school policy that authorized students to vote on whether to have prayer at high school football games. The court ruled that any prayer would be a constitutional violation.

According to AL.com, the district has not publicly commented on the letter or how it would respond.

To read the full letter from the FFRF, click here.


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