Atheist Group, Mom Angry Over Prayer at Elementary School

United States — The Freedom from Religion Foundation has sent a two-page letter to a school district in Texas complaining about a preschool graduation ceremony begun with an unconstitutional prayer.

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The controversial supplication occurred on May 31 in a classroom at Amelia Elementary School in Beaumont, as local news TV station reports.

A preschool student led the brief prayer, which ended with the words “In Jesus’ name, Amen.” The student seems to have been following the instruction of a preschool teacher.

Amber Barnhill, a self-identified Christian and one of the parents in attendance at the graduation, spoke with the teacher responsible for the prayer. This conversation must have gone poorly. Barnhill says she was especially offended by the teacher”s response: “She said it was legal, that it was freedom of speech. She said it wasn’t her religion; it was her way of life. And she continually said that she could not allow herself to apologize.”

The teacher with whom Barnhill spoke tells of a pretty different exchange. “The little girl said something like, ‘Thank you God for this day. Bless us all. In Jesus’ name, Amen,” the teacher explained. “I didn’t intend to impose. I just tried to mock a graduation. I did apologize to the lady who was the only one that I found that was offended.”

Whatever the case, Barnhill contacted the Freedom from Religion Foundation, which now describes the fleeting prayer at the preschool commencement as “a serious violation of the First Amendment.”

“I expect acknowledgement and accountability,” she demanded.

She said she also expects that no one in Beaumont will ever again invoke religion at a public school’s pretend graduation for preschoolers.

The Beaumont Independent School District will respond to the letter of complaint after it conducts a meticulous investigation of the preschool graduation ceremony, according to a spokeswoman.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation has contacted a number of school districts this year with various demands, ultimatums and threats of litigation.

Source: Yahoo