Written by Don Byrd
Back in May, I posted about a teacher’s lawsuit against the Fremont School District in Colorado claiming widespread religious liberty violations in the form of school-sponsored religious activities. One church in particular, the Cowboy Church at Crossroads, which held its services in a Fremont school, was alleged to have been the conduit for many of those activities.
The complaint was very disturbing to read – as complaints often are – particularly because of the backlash from students and colleagues aimed at the plaintiff, who is Jewish. Is it any wonder that a significant percentage of Americans believe, for example, that our Constitution created a “Christian nation,” when so many grow up in schools that infuse public education with church-related experiences?
But I digress. And anyway, Monday morning is no time for a rant like that, is it? Better to start the week off with some good news: the School District settled the lawsuit by agreeing to end all school sponsored religious events and activities. The Cowboy Church has agreed to meet elsewhere.
The Consent Decree, which is worth a read, emphasizes the ban on District employees engaging in religious activities with students while acting in their official capacities.
Students of course remain free to express their religious views and engage in student-led religious activities, including See You at the Pole prayer gatherings before school starts. But it does prohibit school officials from exploiting for religious purposes the often-captive audience which is the student body.
Kudos to all involved for coming to this agreement, including the plaintiff for his role in raising these important religious liberty issues.
