The threat of a lawsuit from a Wisconsin-based organization has prompted a Georgia school district to ban school sanctioned prayer before sports games.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation said in a letter to the school board that the sanctioned prayers violate students’ First Amendment Rights.
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"The Supreme Court ruled that everyone has the freedom of religion, or freedom from religion, for that matter," Frank McIntire, who along with his wife was part of the group that lodged a complaint, told MyFoxAtlanta.com.
The school board pulled the prayer in response to the letter.
Despite the ban, hundreds turned out Friday night to pray together before the Haralson County High School football team took the field in its season opener, MyFoxAtlanta.com reports.
Students and parents held their own prayer circles before the Haralson County Rebels took the field, and wore t-shirts in support of the prayer. Some pro-prayer t-shirts read, "Rebels Pray Before We Play," while others said, "Proud to be a Rebel and I Still Pray."
"I just don't understand why they're doing this," one student told MyFoxAtlanta.com.
The lawsuit applies to all school sponsored events, and as a result there will be no form of prayer played over the public announcement speakers.
"Everybody has their rights, but so do I, and it's not right for one person to say that I can't pray," Connie Locklear who helped organize the pro-prayer t-shirts, told the website.
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