Missouri high school football coach, team targeted for 'illegal' post-game prayer by atheist group
A school district in Missouri is probing whether a prayer held by high school football players and their coaches post their game is "illegal," according to reports. A letter was sent by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) to the Cameron School District in late October this year, accusing head coach Jeff Wallace and assistant coach David Stucky of proselytizing the players for holding a prayer at the 50-yard line.
FFRF attorney Christopher Line, in the letter, wrote: "We ask that the district commence an investigation into the complaints alleged and take immediate action to stop any and all school-sponsored prayers or religious worship." The attorney also added that the district should inform the organization on how they plan to "remedy this serious and flagrant violation of the First Amendment."
The district Superintendent Dr Matt Robinson, while commenting on the group's complaint, said it has never received a complaint from anyone in the community on the issue.
"As outlined in District policy, the Cameron R-I School District does not endorse religion," Robinson told Fox News. "The District is currently investigating the concerns raised in the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s letter to the District, pursuant to the District’s non-discrimination policy and policy regarding religious expression, to determine whether District policy has been violated. The District takes concerns of violations of policy seriously, and will take action with regard to any findings from this investigation as appropriate."
A special counsel for litigation and communications at First Liberty Institute, Jeremy Dys, sent a letter to FFRF, countering their complaint. Dys told the outlet that the district should not pay any heed to the letter unless the FFRF has received a complaint from someone over the issue.
"This letter is little more than a noisy, public complaint meant to harass and embarrass Americans just trying to live their lives," Dys said. "Unless someone presents a plaintiff with actual legal standing, school officials should ignore these letters. No one should reward efforts to gin up controversy where none exists."