Georgia School Responds To Atheist Group Regarding Prayer At Football Games

A school district in Georgia has responded to a complaint by an atheist organization regarding prayer on the football field, arguing that the prayer led by coaches had taken place a year ago and one of the coaches involved in the prayer is no longer working for the district.

The letter, composed by a law firm hired by Hall County Schools, claims the prayer led ahead of a football game by coaches at Chestatee High School was a one-time incident that occurred a year ago. The letter, which speaks for Hall County Schools Superintendent Will Schofield, says students have a right to express their religious freedom as long as they do not disrupt the school or disrespect others.

Additionally, the letter says the administration notified Chestatee football coaches that leading players in prayer ahead of games was crossing the line of religious freedom.

"Mr. Schofield is committed to working with all school administrators in Hall County to see that the rights of all students, staff and citizens are protected under both the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment," the letter addressed to the American Humanist Association reads, according to the Gainesville Times.

The letter adds that Schofield "appreciates being informed of concerns so that they can be addressed," and that he and the district are "always willing to listen and respond to concerns from students and parents, especially if he is given notice of the concern and an opportunity to address it before the press is notified."

The Appignani Humanist Legal Center, the legal arm of the American Humanist Association, previously sent a letter to the Hall County School District after receiving an anonymous complaint from a student that claimed the school's football coaches were leading players in Christian prayer before games. Additionally, the atheist group claimed football-related documents passed out to players contained references to Scripture.

"We have been informed that the school's football coaches have been using their position to promote Christianity on the football team by integrating Bible verses into functional team documents and team promotions in various ways," the letter sent to the district read. "Meanwhile, they have been either leading the team in prayer or participating in team prayers on a regular basis."