Legal Archives
Legal Challenges
FFRF, parent, sue to end 75 years of bible classes in W.Va. school system
1/18/2017 · FFRF filed a civil rights lawsuit against Mercer County Schools on January 18, 2017, over the school system's egregiously unconstitutional "Bible in the Schools" classes for elementary school students. Joining FFRF as primary plaintiffs in the case are Jane Doe, an atheist and member … More »
FFRF and ACLU-KY challenge rejection of personalized license plate
11/22/2016 · FFRF and the ACLU of Kentucky filed suit on November 22, 2016 on behalf of Ben Hart, who was denied a personalized license plate by the State of Kentucky. Hart's request for a personalized license plate reading "IM GOD" was rejected by Kentucky DMV … More »
Jehovah’s Witness display removed (November 16, 2016)
11/16/2016 · After FFRF got involved, a Jehovah's Witness display with religious pamphlets has been removed from the side of a commuter bike path in Madison, Wis. A concerned resident contacted FFRF to report a "sandwich board" display that was standing in Glenwood Park at the side … More »
Bible verse display removed from school (November 7, 2016)
11/7/2016 · Jumoke Academy, a public school in Connecticut, will be upholding its obligation to keep school and religion separate after a constitutional violation was reported by a school employee to FFRF. The employee noticed that an academic assistant at the school was displaying a bible verse … More »
FFRF gets religious signs taken down (November 7, 2016)
11/7/2016 · After FFRF's objection, two religious signs are no longer visible during school days at a public elementary school in Woodbridge, Va. A community church in the town that rents the school building for its Sunday services was regularly leaving up signs promoting church services in … More »
District rids classes of religious films (October 26, 2016)
10/26/2016 · Thanks to FFRF, the Vernon Independent School District in Texas has enacted policies to end the promotion of religious ideologies to students through film. FFRF received a complaint that teachers in the school district had been promoting their personal religious beliefs to students during class … More »
Baptism of player by coach leads to change (October 26, 2016)
10/26/2016 · A football coach at a public high school in Newton, Miss., will no longer be promoting his religious beliefs to student athletes after FFRF objected to the coach's baptism of one of his players. Coach Ryan Smith reportedly organized and performed a baptism on one … More »
Ohio district’s team chaplain, prayer ended (October 24, 2016)
10/24/2016 · An Ohio school district won't be promoting religion through its coaching staff after FFRF got involved. A concerned parent notified FFRF that either a coach or a team chaplain had led some of the Warren Local Middle School and High School athletic teams in prayer … More »
License plate denial overturned (October 19, 2016)
10/19/2016 · A short-lived battle over the denial of a license plate has ended successfully for FFRF member Jeff Prebeg of Pennsylvania. Prebeg wanted one of three license plates: ATHE1ST, NO GOD or N0 G0D. All three of these plates were available, according to the Pennsylvania Bureau … More »
FFRF silences school’s religious hymns (October 18, 2016)
10/18/2016 · Thanks to FFRF, the Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School in Hawaii has ended its practice of having students stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing religious songs. FFRF received a complaint in September that students at the school were being forced to stand … More »
Jersey school district adjusts school policy (October 17, 2016)
10/17/2016 · A New Jersey public school district in the Montgomery Township has revised its policy to remove what appeared to be the promotion of prayer in schools after FFRF stepped in. Proposed revisions to the Montgomery Township School District’s policy on religion in public schools would … More »
Assembly prayer nixed in school district (October 14, 2016)
10/14/2016 · FFRF has made sure that public school employees in an Indiana school district will not continue to impose prayer during school gatherings. Back in April, a school guard at the Rise Up Academy (the alternative high school in South Bend, Ind.) delivered a prayer at … More »
No more coach-led prayers for Texas teams (October 3, 2016)
10/3/2016 · FFRF ensured that two Texas football teams will not have future coach-led prayers. FFRF was informed that at a football game played on Sept. 16 between New Boston High School and Pewitt High School, coaches had gathered players from both teams and led them in … More »
Religious display removed from daycare (October 3, 2016)
10/3/2016 · A city-run day care in Edinburgh, Ind., has taken down a display that read "PRAY BELIEVE FAITH." FFRF received a complaint on Sept. 13 from a parent who was concerned about the display in the main room of an afterschool day care program facilitated by … More »
California coach-led prayer event stopped (October 3, 2016)
10/3/2016 · Thanks to FFRF, a California public high school football coach will no longer be hosting "prayer breakfasts" for players. FFRF received a complaint from a parent of a San Pasqual High School football player that the coach was hosting a "Friday Morning Prayer Breakfast" each … More »
FFRF shuts off Christian music station (October 3, 2016)
10/3/2016 · An Arkansas elementary school bus driver has been told to stop playing religious tunes while transporting students. A worried parent of a student in the Siloam Springs School District informed FFRF that the bus driver was playing music from a local Christian station for students … More »
Indiana county does the correct thing (October 3, 2016)
10/3/2016 · An Indiana county has taken a wisely secular action in response to FFRF's complaint. After opening its courthouse lawn to an FFRF display and a variety of religious panoramas last winter, Franklin County has passed a new ordinance prohibiting all private exhibits on its courthouse … More »
FFRF stops school’s promotion of religion (September 28, 2016)
9/28/2016 · Thanks to FFRF, Arizona's Dysart Unified School District will not plan, promote or participate in "See You at the Pole," a Christian prayer event put on by a religious club. The school district will uphold their constitutional obligation to remain neutral toward religion. An email … More »
Religious promotion ends for school event (September 28, 2016)
9/28/2016 · The Midway Independent School District in Texas has taken steps to ensure that it will stop promotion of a specific religious worldview in its "Shattered Dreams" event to combat drinking and driving. FFRF received a complaint from a student over the event during which a … More »
School staff won’t join in prayer event (September 26, 2016)
9/26/2016 · The Ponderosa High School staff in California has been told to remain neutral and not participate in an annual Christian prayer event called "See You At The Pole." A concerned parent of a student at the school contacted FFRF about the prayer event listed on … More »
Employee convocations end at Texas school (September 25, 2016)
9/25/2016 · An employee at a public school district in Brazoria County, Texas, alerted FFRF about an opening prayer given at an employee general session. At a start-of-the-year meeting, employees were directed to rise and pray in a convocation led by a staff member. In a letter … More »
California school removes church banner (September 22, 2016)
9/22/2016 · Thanks to FFRF, a church banner on an elementary school fence in Long Beach, Calif., has been removed during school days. A concerned community member informed FFRF that the MacArthur Elementary School was displaying a church banner on its fences for a church that meets … More »
College instructor halts sermonizing (September 16, 2016)
9/16/2016 · A sermonizing Wisconsin community college professor has agreed to mend his ways following the FFRF's intervention. Madison College Professor Hiep S. Van Dong, an instructor in the School of Business and Applied Arts, had been encouraging students in his Leadership, Ethics and Development course to … More »
School paints over Commandments display (September 13, 2016)
9/13/2016 · After hearing from FFRF, a wall displaying the Ten Commandments has been painted over at O'Donnell High School in Texas. The superintendent of O'Donnell, Dr. Cathy Amonett, released this statement: "After consultation with legal counsel, community members and students, I have decided as the superintendent of … More »
Christian prayer ends at firefighter graduation (September 8, 2016)
9/8/2016 · Christian prayers will not be scheduled at future city firefighter academy graduation in Littleton, Colo. FFRF received a complaint from one of the city's firefighters after attending a graduation ceremony for firefighter recruits. At the end of the ceremony, graduates were invited to participate in … More »
Grad prayer ends for kindergarten class (September 8, 2016)
9/8/2016 · An Indiana public elementary school will stop prayer at its kindergarten graduation ceremonies after FFRF got involved. The ceremony in May at Springs Valley Elementary School in French Lick, Ind., included a prayer delivered by a kindergartener. The prayer was listed on the schedule. FFRF reminded … More »
Judge: Catholic lot in Madison must be taxed (September 4, 2016)
9/4/2016 · A Dane County, Wis., judge has ruled that the Catholic Church must pay taxes on a multimillion-dollar lot it owns in downtown Madison. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Rhonda Lanford decided on Oct. 4 that a 1.3-acre lot in Madison owned by the Catholic Church … More »
FFRF ends Louisiana prayer violations (August 31, 2016)
8/31/2016 · Thanks to FFRF, the Calcasieu Parish Public Schools have resolved two constitutional violations. Westlake High School will no longer broadcast prayers at football games. Vinton Elementary School will not repeat an incident that occurred on Aug. 7, when the community was invited to come … More »
Ohio commissioners to find secular inspiration (August 26, 2016)
8/26/2016 · The Lorain County Board of Commissioners in Ohio is replacing invocations with secular quotations at its meetings after hearing from FFRF. Christian prayers and bible readings by the commissioners were prior staples of the meetings. "It is coercive, embarrassing, and intimidating for nonreligious citizens to … More »
Elementary school bible club shut down (August 26, 2016)
8/26/2016 · FFRF has caused a religious club to be disbanded at a California elementary school. Club Monarch, an afterschool bible club, was run in part by teachers and routinely given preferential treatment at Mariposa Elementary School in Brea, Calif. The club was mentioned in the weekly … More »
FFRF downs religious signs at Florida school (August 24, 2016)
8/24/2016 · The Osceola County School District is now limiting church advertising on its property. The My Grace Fellowship Church holds its services at the Westside K-8 School, and previously was permitted to leave lawn signs promoting the services on the school's grounds. FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew … More »
School district cuts religious presenter (August 23, 2016)
8/23/2016 · Staff in the Little Rock (Ark.) School District won't be subjected to religious lessons at staff meetings in the future. At Mabelvale Middle School's Aug. 9 teaching staff meeting, the school invited a Baptist pastor to give a presentation, which included retelling biblical stories and … More »
FFRF quashes Utah school board prayer (August 23, 2016)
8/23/2016 · The Wasatch County Schools in Heber City, Utah, have reluctantly agreed to stop praying at School Board meetings. Previously, meetings regularly included Mormon-style prayers delivered by the superintendent, School Board members, and other district employees. FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote to Superintendent Terry Shoemaker … More »
Elementary school graduations secularized (August 23, 2016)
8/23/2016 · FFRF has put a stop to several egregious constitutional violations at a kindergarten graduation ceremony at Valley Elementary School in Pikeville, Ky. The school's 2016 ceremony included a teacher-led prayer and the students singing, "Jesus Loves Me," which they had reportedly been singing in their … More »
FFRF ends religious film screenings (August 22, 2016)
8/22/2016 · The Christian movie "Facing the Giants" won't be shown to Medina Middle School's seventh-graders in the future, FFRF has ensured. A parent of a student at the Dyer, Tenn., school brought the issue to FFRF's attention. The film follows a struggling high school football coach … More »
Unconstitutional tie-up in preschool ends (August 19, 2016)
8/19/2016 · An unconstitutional tie-up between a Wisconsin school district and a parochial preschool has been nixed following an FFRF complaint. In Beaver Dam Unified School District, 3-year-old public school students with developmental delays were often being sent to private preschools. FFRF's complainant, who has an eligible … More »
FFRF and members file suit against Latin cross on county seal
8/16/2016 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation and several of its local members filed suit on August 16, 2016, against Lehigh County, Penn., to remove a Latin cross from the official county seal and flag. The case was brought in the U.S. District Court for the … More »
Lunchtime religious school group disbanded (August 16, 2016)
8/16/2016 · FFRF has gotten an outsider-led lunchtime religious group at an Illinois public school disbanded. School administrators at Harrisburg Middle School were allowing a Baptist minister to lead a religious session during lunch hour. He offered free pizza and soda to students who joined the group. It … More »
FFRF gets religious group to pay fees (August 12, 2016)
8/12/2016 · FFRF has made certain that a Wisconsin religious organization will pay full rental fees at local public schools. Mission of Hope has held several events at public schools in Waupaca, Wis. Among other activities, the events include a prayer tent staffed by local church members … More »
Softball coaches leave prayer circle (August 11, 2016)
8/11/2016 · After receiving a letter from FFRF last year, West Virginia's Putnam County Schools has finally instructed softball coaches at Buffalo High School to stop praying with students. A photo from the state championship game showed players, coaches and fans holding hands in a circle … More »
FFRF stops school’s Christian music (August 9, 2016)
8/9/2016 · Students in the weight room at Tecumseh High School in Tecumseh, Mich., won't be forced to listen to Christian music, thanks to FFRF. FFRF received a report from a local resident that a physical education teacher played the religious music during workout sessions in the … More »
Principal won’t pray with students (August 9, 2016)
8/9/2016 · Bakersfield High School Principal Connie Grumling will not pray with students in the future. Grumling had met with students to pray at the flagpole. FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel lodged a complaint with the Kern High School District in Bakersfield, Calif., in August 2015. "Federal … More »
Teacher instructed to stop praying (August 8, 2016)
8/8/2016 · The Academy for Scholarship and Entrepreneurship in the Bronx, N.Y., will stop including teacher-led invocations in its graduation ceremonies. The decision was prompted by a July 14 letter from FFRF Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert, who pointed out that the Supreme Court has specifically struck down … More »
Florida police prayer event canceled (August 2, 2016)
8/2/2016 · The Ocoee, Fla., Police Department will no longer host a "Prayers for Police" event after FFRF sent a letter of complaint. The department put on the event in May at a church, listing the purpose on a flier as "a period of unity as police … More »
No more pastors at school bible club (August 2, 2016)
8/2/2016 · A bible club at a Nevada middle school will no longer be led by pastors, thanks to FFRF. A parent of a Bob Miller Middle School student contacted FFRF after reading the club's description in the yearbook: "Pastors come to the club every Tuesday … More »
Prayer discontinued at N.D. graduations (August 2, 2016)
8/2/2016 · After including multiple prayers to Jesus at its 2016 graduation ceremony, Watford City High School in North Dakota has assured FFRF that the constitutional violation will not be repeated. "High school graduations must be secular to protect the freedom of conscience of all students," FFRF … More »
Apology given for denial of service (June 30, 2016)
7/30/2016 · A regional freethinkers group has received an apology for discriminatory denial of services during a recent protest at a religious theme park after FFRF sent a letter of complaint. On June 30, Five Star Septic and Portable Toilet Rentals agreed to send portable toilets to … More »
FFRF gets religion off of fishing team (June 26, 2016)
7/26/2016 · The Cherokee County School District in Centre, Ala., has addressed several church/state violations occurring on the fishing team, after receiving a complaint from FFRF. A concerned parent informed FFRF that the team's coach had shirts printed depicting an ichthys (Jesus fish) with a Christian cross … More »
Post office removes religious literature (July 25, 2016)
7/25/2016 · The post office in Morristown, Tenn., removed its Sign of the Times magazine rack after FFRF complained to the postmaster. The rack was placed just outside the building on the post office’s property. According to its website, the magazine “encourages readers to lead joyful Christian lives … More »
Nativity scene won’t be redisplayed (July 21, 2016)
7/21/2016 · The Porum Police Department in Oklahoma has agreed not to redisplay a nativity scene in front of the department's building. The scene, erected on public property, was displayed in November 2015 and faced Main Street. "Displaying an inherently Christian message unmistakably sends the message that Porum … More »
Publicly run hotel rids itself of bibles (July 19, 2016)
7/19/2016 · Following an FFRF complaint, the Thunderbird Executive Inn in Arizona has removed the Gideon bibles that resided in all of its rooms. The hotel is part of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, recently made a unit of Arizona State University. A concerned citizen contacted … More »
Jehovah’s Witnesses won’t be at post office (July 12, 2016)
7/19/2016 · The United States Postal Service has responded to an FFRF complaint by promising to prevent Jehovah's Witness literature distribution at the Bay City Post Office in Texas. A local complainant requested that FFRF take action to end the proselytizing practice. The Witnesses set up chairs, … More »
Band won’t return to Ark Encounter (July 18, 2016)
7/18/2016 · Williamstown High School will not be returning to the newly opened Ark Encounter in Kentucky. FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel complained to the district on July 7 after the school's marching band performed at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Ark Encounter on July 5. "There … More »
Church land transfers stopped for now (July 18, 2016)
7/18/2016 · FFRF has persuaded a Tennessee county to stop giving away land to churches. The Shelby County Board of Commissioners had repeatedly transferred land to churches for nominal sums under a Tennessee provision that permitted this for nonprofits. For example, the county conveyed eight parcels of … More »
FFRF sees end to school prayer club (July 14, 2016)
7/14/2016 · Yucca Valley Elementary School in the Morongo Unified School District in California does not plan to continue its after-school prayer club. FFRF received a complaint from a local parent that a fourth-grade teacher was leading a Good News Club in her classroom directly after school, … More »
District to stop showing religious films (July 12, 2016)
7/12/2016 · FFRF has convinced a Texas school district to take a harder stance against showing Christian propaganda and anti-evolution movies to students. In Central Heights High School in Nacogdoches, Texas, two teachers showed their students questionable films. In a ninth-grade health class, an instructor screened "God's … More »
Email signature now in compliance (July 11, 2016)
7/11/2016 · FFRF has persuaded an Ohio county commissioner to remove religion from her official email signature. Crawford County Commissioner Jenny Vermillion used two inappropriate signature lines in her county email address. The first of these was a reference to an Old Testament verse, Jeremiah 1:5, along … More »
Teacher won’t show Christian film again (July 5, 2016)
7/5/2016 · A physical education teacher in the Tattnall School District in Georgia will not show "Woodlawn" or other Christian films to his class again after hearing from FFRF. The film was shown at Reedsville Middle School over two class periods. The movie, produced by a Christian … More »
School cuts ties to baccalaureate service (June 29, 2016)
6/29/2016 · The North Mac Community Unit School District in Illinois has promised not to promote or fund a religious baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors. A letter written by FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover prompted the move. FFRF first contacted the district back in 2014 … More »
Religious decals removed from cop cars (June 28, 2016)
6/28/2016 · A Kansas police department has removed religious decals after FFRF complained about them. The police department in Harper, Kan., had placed a decal on the back of patrol cars stating: "Romans 13:4." The New Testament verse in question reads as follows: "For he is the … More »
California council nixes huge grant (June 23, 2016)
6/23/2016 · A California city council nixed a multimillion-dollar grant to a private religious school after FFRF objected. The Santa Ana City Council was considering a $2.5 million grant to Mater Dei High School, a Catholic institution, for construction of a new building and parking garage. FFRF … More »
Michigan roadside cross removed (June 17, 2016)
6/17/2016 · Thanks to an FFRF complaint, travelers on Interstate 69 near Bath Township, Mich., will not have to view a memorial with a Latin cross along the road. The change proceeds from a letter from FFRF Legal Fellow Madeline Ziegler in which she wrote, “It is … More »
Religious school message removed (June 17, 2016)
6/17/2016 · A large religious message in an Oklahoma public school was taken down after an FFRF complaint. One of the walls in the teachers’ lounge in East Side Elementary School in Chandler, Okla., had a 5-foot-by-5-foot stenciled message that read: “Miracles alter flow unseen through our … More »
Creationist movie removed from school (June 14, 2016)
6/14/2016 · An FFRF complaint about a creationist movie has made sure that it will not be shown again in a Colorado public school. Carl Christianssen, a science teacher at Dakota Ridge High School, showed a video in class called “Unlocking the Mysteries of Life” that has … More »
District cracks down on religious promotion (June 10, 2016)
6/10/2016 · A Texas school district has made important policy changes in response to FFRF's concerns with the McKinney Independent School District on several issues. District employees were displaying crosses in a number of rooms at local high schools. A religious poster at a middle school read: … More »
School ‘chaplaincy’ makes changes (June 10, 2016)
6/10/2016 · A California school district has taken a number of steps to conform with the U.S. Constitution following an FFRF complaint. The Turlock Unified School District had a partnership with the Turlock Chaplaincy, a group of ordained ministers. Some of these ministers and other volunteers were … More »
School district halts proselytizer access (June 9, 2016)
6/9/2016 · FFRF and its Kentucky chapter have blocked a Christian organization’s infiltration into athletic programs throughout a Kentucky school district. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes had embedded itself into athletic programs all over the Jefferson County Public Schools system (located in Louisville), including in elementary schools. … More »
FFRF ends multiple violations in Kansas (June 7, 2016)
6/7/2016 · Chisholm Public Schools in Kansas will no longer permit teacher-led prayer and has terminated an elementary school bible class thanks to objections from FFRF. A student notified FFRF that a history teacher at the high school led all the students in praying for a different … More »
FFRF stops prayer events in Kansas (June 6, 2016)
6/6/2016 · The Sylvan-Lucas Unified School District will no longer allow prayer at school-sponsored events following a complaint from FFRF. A student at Sylvan-Lucas High School contacted FFRF after the class president read a pre-written prayer at prom and a teacher gave an invocation at the school’s … More »
City removes itself as ChristFest sponsor (May 26, 2016)
5/26/2016 · The city of Muncie, Ind., is not listed as a sponsor of ChristFest 2016 after FFRF complained about sponsorship of the 2015 event. ChristFest is an all-day event meant "to give praise, worship, and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ." It features "praise & worship … More »
Indiana religious sign taken down (May 24, 2016)
5/24/2016 · A religious public school marquee was quickly taken down after an FFRF complaint. Morristown Jr./Sr. High School in Morristown, Ind., posted “MAY GOD BLESS YOU” as part of its 2016 congratulatory message for its graduating students. Public schools may not endorse a religious message, FFRF … More »
School will move ceremony venue (May 24, 2016)
5/24/2016 · After FFRF contacted Cincinnati Public Schools, Covedale Elementary School will no longer hold its annual awards ceremony at a local church. FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert contacted the school district on May 12 to complain about the civil-rights violation. “The selection of Western Hills … More »
Texas school district withdraws from prayer event (May 23, 2016)
5/23/2016 · After hearing from FFRF, schools in the Gunter Independent School District in Texas won't be participating in future National Day of Prayer ceremonies FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover wrote to the district after receiving a report that Gunter High School students participated in a National … More »
District won’t promote religious ceremonies (May 23, 2016)
5/23/2016 · A Texas school district has assured FFRF that it will stop publicizing private religion-infused baccalaureate ceremonies. FFRF had contacted the Friendswood Independent School District with its concern that a baccalaureate service in Friendswood High School on May 22 has been advertised on the district's website … More »
Coach prayers to end in Minneapolis (May 23, 2016)
5/23/2016 · Athletic directors across the entire Minneapolis Public School District have been reminded not to lead, initiate, require or facilitate prayer with students at any school athletic events. FFRF lodged its complaint with the district in response to reports that the North Community High School football … More »
FFRF silences loudspeaker prayer at Texas school (May 19, 2016)
5/19/2016 · Spearman High School in Spearman, Texas, is no longer including prayer over the loudspeaker at athletic events. The move follows a Dec. 1 letter sent by FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover. "The Supreme Court has specifically struck down invocations given over the loudspeaker at public … More »
California Denny’s no longer discriminates (May 17, 2016)
5/17/2016 · The Denny's restaurant in Hawthorne, Calif., no longer privileges churchgoers with a church bulletin discount after FFRF Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell contacted the restaurant on Dec. 18 to complain about the civil rights violation. Cavell informed the restaurant that the discount, 20% off for bringing … More »
Fire department takes down sign (May 16, 2016)
5/16/2016 · A fire department in the state of Washington has agreed to stop posting religious messages on its outdoor marquee, following an FFRF complaint. Grays Harbor Fire District #1 in Oakville had put up a sign last holiday season reading: “Unto us a savior is born, … More »
Lord’s Prayer removed from ceremony (May 16, 2016)
5/16/2016 · A long-standing tradition of reciting or singing the Lord's Prayer at Ohio's East Liverpool High School's graduation ceremony has been corrected. A complainant informed FFRF that the prayer has been recited at graduation for the past 70 years. In 2015, the school choir sang the … More »
No more Christian revivals in school district (May 15, 2016)
5/15/2016 · A West Virginia school district changed its policies after FFRF objected to a Christian revival meeting held at one of its schools. Evangelist Matt Hartley sermonized to students at Mingo Central High School in Williamson, W.Va., preaching to them about Jesus, mulling about whether being … More »
Religious email signature removed (May 10, 2016)
5/10/2016 · An employee at the Eau Claire district attorney's office in Wisconsin has removed an inappropriate religious message from the signature line of her official email address, thanks to FFRF. The signature read, in part, "Joyful, Prayerful, and Thankful – Thessalonians 5:16-17." "It is inappropriate and … More »
Nevada school to end violations (May 10, 2016)
5/10/2016 · A Nevada school district has agreed to halt several constitutional violations at a local high school after being alerted by FFRF. Mojave High School Principal Antonio Rael and Grace Point Church Pastor Ty Neal were seen chatting in a video about the church’s “partnership” with … More »
School to be more careful in music selection (May 9, 2016)
5/9/2016 · Following an FFRF complaint, the Modesto City Schools in California will exercise more care in choosing music for students to perform. One section of a Winter Concert held at La Loma Junior High School was overwhelmingly religious. Most of the songs were devotional Christian songs. In … More »
FFRF sues Congress for invocation discrimination
5/5/2016 · On the 2016 National Day of Prayer, May 5, the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed suit against Congress for refusing to allow Co-President Dan Barker to deliver the House of Representatives invocation as a guest chaplain. U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan sponsored Barker to deliver a … More »
‘Follow Christ’ sign taken down at Ohio school (May 5, 2016)
5/5/2016 · The Genoa Area Local Schools in Genoa, Ohio, have removed a sign reading "Follow Christ" from Genoa High School, after receiving a letter from FFRF. "It is unconstitutional for Genoa Area Local Schools to encourage its students to 'Follow Christ,' in effect encouraging non-Christian students … More »
FFRF and AHA take on cross in Pensacola public park
5/4/2016 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation and the American Humanist Association filed suit over a government-owned cross in the city of Pensacola, Fla. on May 4, 2016. One version or another of the cross, which sits in Bayview Park, has stood for more than 50 … More »
Florida district dissociates from religious camp (May 4, 2016)
5/4/2016 · After FFRF lodged a complaint, the Palm Beach County School District in Florida is no longer partnering with a religious sports day camp, SportsTyme. The group claims that it creates a sports environment that "leaves God in," including bible lessons. Previously, the district permitted SportsTyme … More »
FFRF sues to remove cross in park in Santa Clara, Calif.
5/3/2016 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation, with member Andrew DeFaria, sued the City of Santa Clara, Calif., on April 20, 2016, to remove a large Latin cross from a city park. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District … More »
Tennessee schools to address violations (May 2, 2016)
5/2/2016 · A Tennessee school district is taking steps to ensure that state/church violations do not recur after hearing from FFRF about the violations. A second-grade teacher at Highland Rim Elementary in Fayetteville, Tenn., helped students construct crosses as a class craft project. She also marked student … More »
Graduation in church halted (May 1, 2016)
5/1/2016 · A Nevada public school is no longer holding its graduation ceremonies inside a church, following an FFRF complaint. For at least the past three years, Coral Academy of Science's eighth-grade promotion and senior graduation ceremonies had been performed in The Church at South Las Vegas, … More »
Kentucky town to discontinue nativity display (April 28, 2016)
4/28/2016 · A Kentucky town will stop displaying an overtly religious nativity scene in response to an FFRF objection. FFRF had notified the city of Walton a number of times that a Christmas nativity panorama on the City Hall lawn was in violation of the Establishment Clause … More »
FFRF resolves another issue in Orange County (April 26, 2016)
4/26/2016 · FFRF has resolved yet another issue in Florida's Orange County Public Schools. The district, the 11th-largest in the country, is FFRF's most-contacted school district. This time, the district is ensuring that JROTC ceremonies at East River High School will not include prayer. The 2016 JROTC … More »
Illinois teacher takes down religious ads (April 25, 2016)
4/25/2016 · A West Aurora High School teacher has taken down religious ads she posted around her classroom after FFRF sent a letter of complaint. One poster advertised "See You At The Pole," a Christian prayer event, that included bible quotes. Another poster advertised the school's student … More »
California school board drops prayer (April 25, 2016)
4/25/2016 · The Silver Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees no longer prays at its meetings, thanks to action taken by FFRF. On April 25, attorneys for the school district “decided to voluntarily discontinue its prior practice” of including invocations, after hearing from FFRF Legal Fellow … More »
OK! Students no longer sent to ‘Spring Tea’ (April 25, 2016)
4/25/2016 · An Oklahoma school district has assured FFRF that its students will not be attending a moralistic sermon. The "Spring Tea" is a highly religious annual event in Muskogee. In March, hundreds of middle school girls were preached to on such issues as abstinence, teen pregnancy, … More »
FFRF gets Christian movie removed from school (April 22, 2016)
4/22/2016 · The Christian movie "Facing the Giants" will no longer be shown in South Dearborn Community Schools, thanks to a complaint lodged by FFRF. The film follows a struggling high school football coach who inspires his team to believe in the Christian God and to use … More »
Evangelist barred from Florida schools (April 21, 2016)
4/21/2016 · FFRF has had an ex-con proselytizer barred from a Florida school district. Hillsborough County Public Schools had allowed a Fellowship of Christian Athletes representative, David Gaskill, who has a criminal record, to interact and proselytize with its students without restriction. Gaskill had been involved with … More »
Tennessee school’s choral program secularized (April 20, 2016)
4/20/2016 · Students at David Crockett High School in Jonesborough, Tenn., will no longer be compelled to perform "contemporary Christian concerts" as a part of their public school music instruction after hearing from FFRF. FFRF received a report that music teacher Kelly Sams conducted blatantly Christian concerts, … More »
Violations ended in Florida school district (April 19, 2016)
4/19/2016 · The Indian River County School District in Florida has instituted changes after FFRF contacted the district with reports of several constitutional violations. The Vero Beach High School football and baseball teams reportedly employed a chaplain, pastor Joe Moore, who was also the director of the … More »
Arkansas groups won’t get grants (April 18, 2016)
4/18/2016 · FFRF recently complained to the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District about the nearly $600,000 in grants it gave in 2013-14 to Ecclesia College in Springdale, Ark., an overtly religious institution. Of the seven majors the college offers, five are theologically based; of its 14 emphases, … More »
