Religious Freedom Organization Complains About Prayer At Hewitt-Trussville Football Games

TRUSSVILLE, AL - A religious freedom proponent has filed an official complaint to Trussville City Schools, claiming prayers conducted over the public address system at Hewitt-Trussville High School sporting events violate the First Amendment.

According to the Trussville Tribune, the complaint was sent via letter to school superintendent Dr. Pattie Neil this week by the The Freedom From Religion Foundation. The complaint alleges that the school is using Christian prayer at the school-sponsored event, which is unconstitutional. Specifically, the organization refers to the public address announcer saying, "Father, today we play as two separate teams, but we live as one body of Christ, as your hands and feet. And through it all we play…ultimately to further your kingdom...In Jesus’ mighty name we all pray, Amen."

The complaint also claims in the letter that prayers at school district football games are “inappropriate” and “unconstitutional,” and the district must take “immediate action to end the practice of broadcasting prayer over the loudspeaker of football games.”

The organization cites several court cases that involve school districts striking public prayer at sporting events due to violation of First Amendment rights. “It is illegal for a public school to sponsor religious messages at school athletic events. The Supreme Court has continually struck down school-sponsored prayer in public schools," the letter states.

Attempts to reach Neil were unsuccessful Thursday.

Image from Trussville City Schools