Authorities in Alabama are suing a lawmaker over comments he made about the role of local churches in Alabama schools. The argument involves the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
On December 20, the FFRF, an organization that supports separating church and state, sent a letter to Etowah County Schools asking them to stop “soliciting religious organizations to proselytize and attempt to convert its students in exchange for donations.”
Local churches were asked by Etowah County Schools to give water and granola bars to middle school and high school fighters. In return, the churches could share a “devotional” with the students for 15 minutes.
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According to a letter from Southside High School’s wrestling coaches, “We would like to give the churches that can donate a chance to speak into the lives of the students on our team by sharing a short 15-minute devotional.” “Again, we’re looking forward to this chance.” We had a great time on it last year.
In reaction to the letter from FFRF to the school district, Greg Reed, a state senator from Jasper and the president pro tempore of the Alabama Senate, went against the group.
Reed told Yellowhammer News in a statement that came out Dec. 21: “This week we are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” God deserves all the praise and glory. That is what we should be focusing on, and outside groups trying to get religion out of our lives and the lives of our children should not mess with that.
In a press release released Thursday, the group responded to Reed: “Senator Reed, your comments are concerning and a breach of your oath to support the U.S. Constitution, which safeguards students from religious programming in their public schools,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line said.
The foundation’s co-president, Annie Laurie Gaylor, said that Reed “should take a minute to read our godless Constitution and refresh himself on constitutional principles that require the government and its schools to stay out of the religion business.”
According to Gaylor, “Our public schools exist to educate, not to brainwash in religion.“
Conversely, Reed told AL.com on Friday that he is sticking to his stance.
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He said, “I will never stop fighting for the people of Alabama and our values, no matter how many national groups complain.” “As a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, I pray that He will keep working in the hearts of schoolchildren everywhere.“