FLORENCE, S.C. (AP, WACH) -- The American Civil Liberties Union has sued in federal court alleging that public schools in Chesterfield County in South Carolina are unconstitutionally promoting Christianity.
The suit filed Monday stems from a rally earlier this school year at New Heights Middle School that featured a Christian rapper known as "B-SHOC" and a youth evangelist. According to the ACLU, students were encouraged to pray and sign a pledge dedicating themselves to Jesus.
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Florence was brought on behalf of a father who has a son at the school. The family does not subscribe to any specific religious beliefs and the son said he is uncomfortable because he is routinely subjected to religious messages at school.
“My child deserves an educational environment that is welcoming and safe, no matter what he believes,” said Jonathan Anderson, whose son J.A. is a student in the district. “All families are free to raise their children with the beliefs that are important to them, but nobody should feel different or harassed when they go to school.” J.A. is referred to by his initials in the complaint to protect his privacy.
The suit names the district, the school board, the district superintendent and the middle school principal.
A district spokesman said Monday afternoon that school officials were not aware of the lawsuit.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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