ACLU sues to stop prayer in Tennessee school

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit to halt prayer at public schools in Smith County, Tennessee.

The ACLU filed the lawsuit Monday against the Smith County School System.

The lawsuit says “school-sponsored” prayer is common at athletic events, religious iconography adorns walls, and teachers proselytize their Christian faith.

What’s more, the public schools conduct Monday morning assemblies known as “family meetings,” at which principals solicit prayer requests from students and staff, the lawsuit says.

The ACLU filed the lawsuit on behalf of Kelly Butler, an avowed atheist parent, and two other parents.

“At school, everybody makes it seem like you have to believe in one thing, just like them,” said Leyna Carr, another plaintiff in the lawsuit and a student at Smith County High School. “It’s very awkward and uncomfortable.”

A statement issued by Smith County Schools says, “Neither the Board nor any individual administrator has been served with a filed copy of any suit.” However the statement goes on to say administrators would be “immediately defended” and “treated with the utmost seriousness.”