Atheists: Keep religion out of backpacks

October 9, 2007
A prophet is never welcome in his hometown, Jesus said (Luke 4:24). I imagine this statement would be especially true for those preaching the Gospel in Madison, Wisconsin, home of the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF).

The Foundation claims to be the largest group of atheists and agnostics in North America, and their website boasts that they have recently unveiled what may be the first "nontheistic" billboard in Madison.

Knowing this, it should come as no surprise that the group has now targeted its city's school district to demand that it cease distribution of all fliers containing religious content. It seems a local church dared to submit a flier for distribution.

This was hardly the "violation of separation of church and state" that the FFRF paints it to be. All fliers distributed on campus contain a statement which reads, "This is not a school-sponsored activity and the (school district) does not approve, support, or endorse this program/activity."

School Superintendent Art Rainwater has (correctly) noted that the district cannot legally implement a policy that discriminates against a religious view. Therefore, the district has established an official flier policy that allows distribution of any material which does not a) promote an illegal activity, b) encourage children to leave the district, or c) promote something inappropriate for children, such as alcohol consumption.

These factual details may not deter FFRF, though, so ADF has formally offered to defend the district against any legal attack.

"Christian groups are not second-class to other groups desiring to distribute fliers at a public school," said ADF Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman, in a recent announcement. "The Madison School District's policy appears to be treating all groups fairly and equally, as the Constitution requires. The district's policy is similar to others around the country that have been upheld in court. ADF will be happy to provide free legal counsel to the school district if the Freedom from Religion Foundation decides to take legal action."

The letter ADF attorneys sent to district officials is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/MadisonSchoolDistrictLetter.pdf.

Please pray for the school district - that it would stand firm against any legal attacks from FFRF. And please pray, too, for ADF, as - with your faithful support - we continue to stand in defense of Our First Liberty, religious freedom.