The ACLU announced yesterday a lawsuit alleging pervasive religious liberty violations by school officials in South Carolina's Chesterfield County. Student assemblies, the lawsuit claims, feature prayer, proselytizing and other religious activities. The complaint lists too many disturbing events to name here. In one, students were entertained with Christian worship event and asked to devote themselves to Christ.
In September, students at New Heights were compelled to attend a worship rally that featured a sermon delivered by a Christian minister and the Christian rapper known as “B-SHOC” who performs songs like “Jesus Lean,” “Crazy Bout God” and “Christ-Like Cruisin.” Students were encouraged to pray and sign a pledge dedicating themselves to Jesus. The assembly follows regular practices at New Heights and throughout the district in which teachers and staff routinely incorporate prayer and proselytizing into school events and criticize and harass students who do not claim to be Christians.
We will see how the County responds, but this would seem to be a suit worth following. You can read the complaint here.
