Legal Archives
2012 Legal Challenges
FFRF tells Ohio teacher: Take the Sunday out of school (April 23, 2012)
4/23/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has silenced a proselytizing first-grade teacher at Minford Elementary School in Minford, Ohio. Prior to FFRF's complaint, young and impressionable first-grade students were subjected to bible lessons in their public school classroom. The offending teacher was cited with… More »
FFRF ‘stands up’ for Ohio students (April 19, 2012)
4/19/2012 · Students at Lakeside High School (Ashtabula, Ohio) will no longer be forced to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance, thanks to the Freedom From Religion Foundation. FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt informed Superintendent Joseph Donatone of this blatant First Amendment violation via an… More »
FFRF to Georgia judge: Send aid, not bibles (April 19, 2012)
4/19/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has put an end to a Douglas County (Douglasville, Ga.) judge's inappropriate use of county resources to promote the Christian message. The judge was using county supplies to collect new and used bibles and distribute them to "persons… More »
FFRF turns the page on North Dakota bible distribution (April 9, 2012)
4/9/2012 · Hagan Elementary School in Williston, N.D., will no longer permit representatives of Gideons International to distribute bibles to its youngest students. The Freedom From Religion Foundation took issue with a particularly egregious situation that occurred in a fifth grade classroom. Students returning from… More »
FFRF tightens security at a Wisconsin hospital (April 9, 2012)
4/9/2012 · The University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wis., will no longer allow Gideons International to unlawfully distribute bibles on public property, thanks to the Freedom From Religion Foundation. FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt sent an advisory letter to UW Hospital President and CEO… More »
FFRF hunts down sectarian Easter event in Tennessee city government (April 6, 2012)
4/6/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has persuaded the City of Mt. Juliet (Tenn.) to stop promoting "the Great Easter Bash." "The Great Easter Bash" was a Christian event set to take place on April 7 in a public park. The City of Mt.… More »
FFRF sues over Pennsylvania ‘Year of Bible’
4/4/2012 · FFRF filed suit challenging a declaration by the Pennsylvania House that 2012 is "The Year of the Bible." FFRF brought suit on behalf of its 599 Pennsylvania members, including 41 named state members, and its chapter, Nittany Freethought. The federal lawsuit was filed… More »
FFRF starves North Carolina restaurant of church discount (March 23, 2012)
3/23/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has put an end to an inappropriate and unnecessary church bulletin discount at the Fisherman's Quarters II in Asheville, N.C. Fisherman's Quarters II habitually offered a 10% discount to church-going patrons. This particular promotion was at the top… More »
FFRF ‘deletes’ biblical emails at Georgia school (March 23, 2012)
3/23/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation ended an inappropriate and unnecessary use of employee email at the Harris County School District in Hamilton, Ga. Prior to FFRF's involvement, the school district allowed "principals and other leadership staff to send emails to their subordinates which… More »
FFRF muffles athletic prayer at Kentucky high school (March 20, 2012)
3/20/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has prevented a local minister from delivering another pregame prayer over the loudspeaker at Madisonville-North Hopkins High School in Madisonville, Ky. A minister delivered an invocation over the public address system at the Region 2 Boys Basketball finals… More »
FFRF tickets Alabama Sheriff for inappropriate display of religion (March 19, 2012)
3/19/2012 · A Chilton County, Ala., sheriff will no longer send his constituents an overtly sectarian Christmas card, thanks to the Freedom From Religion Foundation. FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt first wrote to the sheriff on Jan. 20. Schmitt pointed out that his sectarian card… More »
FFRF assures Illinois students they don’t have to ‘trust in god’ (March 16, 2012)
3/16/2012 · A Freedom From Religion Foundation complaint has successfully removed a religious display from a Hononegah Community High School (Ill.) hallway. The phrase "In God We Trust" had been prominently featured on a school letter board for over 10 years. It wasn't until Superintendent… More »
FFRF stops kindergarten prayer (March 12, 2012)
3/12/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has put an end to illegal prayer in a Manchester, Tenn., kindergarten classroom. A Hillsboro Elementary School teacher led her kindergarten students in daily prayers. Students were expected to join their teacher, proclaiming "God is good, God is… More »
FFRF keeps library doors open in Nevada (March 12, 2012)
3/12/2012 · The Washoe County Library System in Reno, Nev., will be open during Easter next year. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, along with a local complainant, took issue with the library's holiday closure policy. Prior to FFRF's involvement all Washoe County Libraries were closed… More »
FFRF muffles proselytizing Christian rock band in West Virginia (March 9, 2012)
3/9/2012 · Lewis County Schools in Weston, W.Va., cancelled a Christian concert after receiving a letter of complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Both the middle and high school in Lewis County were scheduled to interrupt instructional time to host the Jason Lovins Band,… More »
FFRF educates North Carolina teacher on Constitution (March 8, 2012)
3/8/2012 · An eighth grade teacher at Starmount Middle School in Booneville, N.C., will no longer proselytize to her students, thanks to the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The teacher said in class that "God is the only creator of the universe" and "evolution is not… More »
FFRF educates Wichita Falls school district (March 7, 2012)
3/7/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has confirmed that the Wichita Falls Independent School District (Texas) will no longer issue a sectarian prayer at mandatory staff events. On top of condoning public prayer, the school district held its August convocation at the First Baptist… More »
FFRF ousts Gideons from Arkansas high school (March 6, 2012)
3/6/2012 · Gideons International representatives will no longer distribute bibles in the hallways of the Vocational-Technical Education Building of Warren High School in Warren, Arkansas, thanks to the Freedom From Religion Foundation. During the 2011-2012 school year, at least two members of Gideon International were… More »
FFRF drives home secular message on Pennsylvania buses (March 5, 2012)
3/5/2012 · The County of Lackawanna Transportation System (COLTS) in Scranton, Pa., will no longer display "God Bless America" on its buses, thanks to the Freedom From Religion Foundation. FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt sent a Feb. 10 letter of complaint to Executive Director Robert… More »
FFRF ends proselytizing by police chief (March 5, 2012)
3/5/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has stopped a City of Portage (Wis.) Police Chief from using his public position as a religious soap box. The Police Chief used his employee email to distribute religious materials to his employees. He also sent employees bible… More »
FFRF makes freethought the “first priority” in Alabama (March 2, 2012)
3/2/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has made secularism, not Christianity the "first priority" at West End High School in Gadsen, Ala. The Christian youth organization, First Priority, will no longer be allowed on campus during school hours. Until FFRF's involvement, West End High… More »
FFRF calls off football prayer in Louisiana school (Feb. 29, 2012)
2/29/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has put an end to pre-game school football prayers in Lake Charles, La. No longer will a clergy member be asked to give a prayer over the loudspeaker at Sam Houston High School (SHHS) football games. FFRF Staff… More »
FFRF ‘penalizes’ Haralson school team chaplain (Feb. 28, 2012)
2/28/2012 · The Haralson County (Tallapoosa, Ga.) football team will no longer call upon a "team chaplain" to provide religious support, thanks to the Freedom From Religion Foundation Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt. Schmitt wrote Haralson County School District Superintendent Brett Stanton on Sept. 19, 2011.… More »
FFRF chides Texas school for showing overtly religious film (Feb. 27, 2012)
2/27/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has prevented future Trinity High School (Bedford, Texas) classrooms from screening blatantly religious films. During the month of January several classes viewed the film "Fireproof." It is FFRF's understanding that at least one student objected to the Christian… More »
FFRF tells Arkansas school, “reason is the only way” (Feb. 17, 2012)
2/17/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has put a stop to overtly religious assemblies at Greenbriar Public Schools in Greenbriar, Ark. In early February, Greenbriar High School condoned a Christian-themed assembly featuring speakers from a local rehabilitation facility, Renewal Ranch. FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick… More »
FFRF unblocks atheist websites from San Antonio ISD filter (Feb. 16, 2012)
2/16/2012 · The San Antonio Independent School District firewall provider, Fortinet, prevented students from accessing atheist and freethought websites on school computers, while allowing students to access religious websites. A student contacted FFRF after attempting to view blocked atheist sites. In a Dec. 9, 2011… More »
FFRF swears by secular affirmation in Fort Myers courtroom (Feb. 13, 2012)
2/13/2012 · After receiving a series of complaints from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Fort Myers will no longer deny witnesses their right to be sworn in with a secular oath. During a March… More »
FFRF silences hallway caroling at New York school (Feb. 13, 2012)
2/13/2012 · Southside High School in Elmira, N.Y., will no longer play religious holiday music during the month of December. The Freedom From Religion Foundation wrote to Southside Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter on Dec. 19, 2011, warning him of the serious Establishment Clause violation occurring at… More »
FFRF serves up a side of freethought to Texas restaurant (Feb. 13, 2012)
2/13/2012 · Pancho's Mexican Buffet in Euless, Texas, will no longer offer a special discount to patrons who bring in a church bulletin. Before FFRF issued a complaint, Pancho's was in the habit of offering a 10 percent discount to church-goers. Customers were faced with… More »
FFRF challenges Catholic shrine on Big Mountain
2/10/2012 · FFRF filed suit in U.S. District Court in Montana, challenging the Forest Service's decision to renew a special permit for a "shrine to our Lord Jesus Christ" on federal property in the Rockies. The Knights of Columbus, a conservative Roman Catholic men's club,… More »
FFRF helps Cedar Falls stay “current” with Constitution (Feb. 10, 2012)
2/10/2012 · Cedar Falls, Iowa, will no longer be making religious recommendations in its city newsletter, Currents, thanks to the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The Winter 2012 edition of Currents featured several religious suggestions for improving communities. Within the article "The Blues Zone Project –… More »
FFRF unpacks religious permission slips from Texas backpacks (Feb. 9, 2012)
2/9/2012 · Weatherford Independent School District in Weatherford, Texas, will no longer allow Church groups to proselytize to elementary school children through an unlawful "Backpack Ministry" program. Crockett Elementary school students received a permission slip to attend a church sponsored event on Jan. 19. First… More »
FFRF brings freethought news to Oregon school (Feb. 8, 2012)
2/8/2012 · Brush College Elementary School in Salem, Ore., will no longer provide take home advertising for bible club meetings, thanks to the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The Child Evangelism Fellowship, Inc., petitioned Brush College Elementary School to allow all students to take home overtly… More »
FFRF returns religious email to Michigan professor (Feb. 6, 2012)
2/6/2012 · Wayne County Community College District in Detroit, Mich., will no longer allow instructors to promote their personal religious beliefs through email. The Freedom From Religion Foundation received complaints over an instructor's improper use of email. A Wayne County professor sent a "welcome" note… More »
FFRF ends illegal Texas football prayer (Feb. 2, 2012)
2/2/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has put an end to locker room prayer at Bowie High School in El Paso, Texas. Before FFRF intervened, Bowie High School's pre-football game tradition consisted of group prayer. Abuses included a local pastor joining the team before… More »
FFRF slams the door on bible distribution in New York (Feb. 2, 2012)
2/2/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has put an end to illegal bible distribution in the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District in New York. Gideons International was given permission to hand out bibles during the school day to fifth-grade students at Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School. Concerned… More »
FFRF removes inappropriate “guardian angel” statue from public garden (Feb. 1, 2012)
2/1/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has wrapped up a seven year old case to remove an illegal angel statue from public property. The statue was placed outside of the Interpretive Center in Genesee County Park in Batavia, N.Y., by the Women's Republican Club… More »
FFRF protests proselytizing at Texas pumpkin patch (Jan. 31, 2012)
1/31/2012 · Kindergartners will no longer be exposed to Christian evangelism during Bel Air Elementary School (Athens, Texas) field trips. During three school trips to a pumpkin patch at Brand Cowboy Church in Athens, between Oct. 26-28, 2011, first-grade and kindergarten students had to listen… More »
Reason trumps religion in Kiel, Wisconsin (Jan. 31, 2012)
1/31/2012 · The Kiel Area School District Board of Education (Wis.) has “decided to make no changes to the curriculum,” said School Board President Cynthia Schmahl in a recent email to Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott and Constitutional Consultant Andrew Seidel. After being warned by local… More »
FFRF gives Gideons the boot at Arkansas school (Jan. 27, 2012)
1/27/2012 · Bellview Elementary School has learned a valuable lesson. It will no longer allow Gideons International to distribute bibles in its hallways. After receiving several complaints from concerned Arkansas parents and citizens, FFRF wrote to Rogers Public Schools Superintendent Janie Darr on Oct. 27,… More »
FFRF calls for a “Christmas without Christ” at Indiana school (Jan. 23, 2012)
1/23/2012 · Greenwood Community School Corporation in Indiana has promised to refrain from allowing staff members to display overtly religious messages after receiving a letter of complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Last December, cafeteria servers at Greenwood Community High School wore red shirts… More »
FFRF tables sectarian Tennessee buffet discount (Jan. 21, 2012)
1/21/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has ended the Asuka Hibachi and Buffet's (Smyrna, Tenn.) unlawful practice of giving a discount only to church-goers. Asuka Hibachi and Buffet promoted a $1 discount to customers who brought in a church bulletin on Sundays. The restaurant… More »
FFRF “bawks” at Florida Chick-fil-A’s unlawful discount (Jan.18, 2012)
1/18/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation has put an end to Chick-fil-A's biased, unconstitutional church bulletin promotion. A Chick-fil-A restaurant in Jacksonville, Fla. offered a promotion to patrons who brought in a church bulletin on the Monday after the service. Church-going customers received a… More »
FFRF returns religious email to Texas sender (Jan. 18, 2012)
1/18/2012 · The Freedom From Religion Foundation educated a Texas High School on the unconstitutionality of a school official sending religiously themed school emails. "Count on God instead of yourself," was the statement Klein Forest High School Assistant Principal Rene Milanizadeh included in an email… More »
FFRF challenges proselytizing Mississippi principal (Jan. 17, 2012)
1/17/2012 · A Canton Career Center Principal will no longer be promoting his Christian beliefs at work, thanks to FFRF. FFRF received reports that the Principal repeatedly promoted his Christian beliefs at Canton Career Center. He preached, led prayers, read from the bible and called… More »
FFRF calls a timeout on Kentucky school’s pre-game prayer (Jan. 10, 2012)
1/10/2012 · FFRF has won the game against athletic prayer in Inez, Ky., for the second time. The first time FFRF declared victory at Sheldon Clark High School (SCHS) was this fall during football season. SCHS delivered illegal prayers over the public address system before… More »
FFRF challenges Arizona Day of Prayer in state court (Jan. 4, 2012)
1/4/2012 · FFRF, its Valley of the Sun Chapter and several members as well as plaintiffs who are Buddhist, Christian and Muslim, filed a lawsuit on Jan. 4, 2012, in state court, challenging the constitutionality of Arizona Gov. Janice K. Brewer's annual Arizona Day of… More »
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