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No thank you, Jesus? Prayers at H.S. prompt complaint
Posted: 10.28.2011 at 10:10 AM
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A national atheist organization says an Alabama school should not use prayers on its campus that invoke the name Jesus Christ.  / Source: Picasa
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Prayers that invoked the name "Jesus Christ" at an Alabama high school's football game have prompted a complaint by a national atheist organization.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation filed the complaint on behalf of a resident, who told a local paper that a public school should not endorse a religion.

"It is illegal for any public school to organize, sponsor or lead prayer at public athletic events," Jeremy Green is reported as saying. "The Supreme Court of the United States of America has continually made rulings which strike down this practice as illegal.

Bill Valentine, the superintendent of Lauderdale County schools, told various media outlets that the district's attorney is handling the complaint. He added that some of the prayers in question involved outside sporting events that took place on school property. 

The district has received numerous calls from community members who support using Christian prayers before games, according to published reports.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

WATCH - An area of Mississippi is going through a similar controversy:

 

Did your school pray over the loudspeaker before games? Should schools be allowed to use the name "Jesus Christ" in a prayer, or pray at all? Sound off below and on our WNWO Facebook page.

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