Student Bible clubs temporarily suspended in Ohio after atheist group files complaint
By Jonah Hicap, Christian Today:
Student Bible clubs in at least two schools in Lancaster, Ohio have been temporarily suspended by officials after an atheist group sent a letter to complain.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) earlier wrote a letter to Superintendent Steve Wigton of the Lancaster City Schools to complain about outside adults conducting Bible studies during lunch time at different schools.
“It is our understanding that bible study groups meet during the lunch period at Lancaster High School and Sherman Middle School, and before school at Thomas Ewing Middle School,” the atheist group said in its letter based on the listing of the clubs on the Faith Memorial Church website.
It said that “public school district must ensure that student religious groups are genuinely student-initiated and student-run, and that outside adults do not regularly participate in the clubs.”
“We are writing to request an investigation into the involvement of outside adults in religious clubs in your District,” FFRF said.
FFRF said even though the Equal Access Act (EAA) provides that public secondary schools cannot discriminate against student organizations based on their religious, political, philosophical or other beliefs, “it is illegal for outside adults to regularly participate in, organize, or lead student religious organizations.”
Rev. Jonathan Morgan, Faith Memorial pastor, said the complaint is “much ado about nothing,” adding that the text in the web page was improperly worded.
He said pastors do not lead the groups but have been invited at times by students, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
Related Posts
Tags
Share This
