School prayer group sued over religious proselytizing
Do you think this is fair for atheists to do or gotten way out of hand by taking this case to court?
Alleging that a Mt. Juliet elementary school Christmas play, a group of praying parents, a national prayer day and teacher-led prayer in class are among a range of religious activities that violate the separation of church and state, the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) filed a suit in federal court last week.
The suit was filed on behalf of two Old Hickory parents, who said the activities were “highly offensive” and subjected their young son - a kindergartener at the school last year - to “religious proselytizing.”
The suit names the Wilson County School System, the system’s director, Jim Duncan; Lakeview Elementary School’s principal Wendell Marlowe; assistant principal Yvonne Smith and schoolteacher Janet Adamson.
“Religious freedom for everyone is jeopardized when public schools promote and endorse religious activities,” ACLU-TN executive director Hedy Weinberg said in a news release. “In addition, the sponsorship of religious activities in Wilson County public schools broadcasts a divisive message to the religiously pluralistic community of Wilson County.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, the suit seeks a preliminary injunction, asking that defendants be stopped from engaging in any future, similar religious activities. It also seeks attorneys’ fees and compensatory or nominal damages,” for “emotional distress” and for the cost of homeschooling their son.
The suit says the religious activities led the parents to pull their son out of school to homeschool him.
The suit does not name the parents or child. It asks the court to allow the parents to pursue the action anonymously, saying “they fear community reprisals and attacks, and ostracism, and because their minor child, James Doe, remains of tender years and sensibilities.”
For complete coverage, pick up a copy of The Tennessean Friday.
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