“Naperville [Community Unit School District] 203 represents a diverse community that holds diverse beliefs and values. We recognize that in our roles as school leaders we respect those diverse beliefs and avoid putting students in situations that may conflict with their personal beliefs.”For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
-- Dan Bridges, Superintendent
Football Coach Forced to Stop Praying AFTER Games in Washington
Florida Bans Prayer at Christian Football Game
Arizona Schools Ban Christian Football Coaches
In contrast . . .
North Carolina Citizens Demand Prayer in Public School
Ohio School Board Wants Prayer, Ignoring Atheists
Atheists Threaten Arkansas School so Citizens Pray Publicly
Students, School Reject ACLU's Ungodly Demand
Texas School Supt. Tells Anti-prayer Atheists to Go Fly a Kite
-- From "Naperville Schools Chief Bans Coach-Led Prayers After Atheist Group Complains" by Audrina Bigos, WBBM-TV2 CBS Chicago 12/10/15
A photograph posted by the Freedom from Religion Foundation showed Naperville Central High School Head Coach Mike Stine leading his kneeling players in prayer before a recent home game.
The foundation, representing atheists, complained the prayer violated the separation of church and state.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Naperville schools ban prayer at student sporting events" by The Associated Press 12/11/15
Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges said Thursday that he will enact a ban on coach-led prayer at all Naperville Central High School and Naperville North High School student athletic events.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation filed a complaint this week after seeing a photo appearing to show Naperville Central High School kneeling in prayer before a Nov. 14 game against Waubonsie Valley High School.
An attorney for the organization replied Thursday in a letter to Bridges that the ban doesn't "go far enough" to assure religious rituals are kept out of district-sponsored or sanctioned events.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Naperville Central football team responds to prayer complaint" posted at WLS-TV7 (Chicago, IL) 12/11/15
ABC7 Eyewitness News received a team statement Friday morning from Daniel Bumpus, a four-year member of the Redhawks football team. He said the players held a team meeting and prepared the following:
"We, as a football team and a family, give Coach Stine our full support. He is the best coach in the state and cares about each and every one of us more than any other coach cares about his players. We are proud that he is willing to stand up for his faith and for the example he sets for us. He is a role model for every one of us in a world where true male role models are becoming few and far between. The players will continue this tradition of praying before our games and would like to extend an invitation to all members of the Freedom From Religion Foundation to come out next fall and watch us pray and play the game we love. Go Redhawks."To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Naperville Central coach told he can't lead players in prayer" by Katlyn Smith, Daily Herald (Chicago suburbs) 12/10/15
Two days after receiving a letter from a group that represents atheists and seeks to defend the separation of church and state, Naperville Unit District 203 officials have told Naperville Central High School head football coach Mike Stine that he cannot lead his players in prayer.
Superintendent Dan Bridges reviewed the complaint and "determined that a voluntary prayer intended as a moment of reflection was offered," according to a statement released Thursday by a district spokeswoman.
"We are aware that a coach-led prayer is not appropriate," the statement read. "The head football coach has been instructed that neither he nor his staff may lead his players in prayer. This message has been communicated to the athletic directors at both high schools to ensure that this expectation is shared with coaches of all sports at all levels."
The Freedom From Religion Foundation was contacted by a local member of the Madison, Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization about Naperville Central personnel . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Naperville schools chief bans prayer at student sporting events" by Bill Bird, Naperville Sun (posted at Chicago Tribune) 12/10/15
[FFRF] officials filed a complaint this week to a "team prayer" that preceded the Nov. 14 Redhawks football team's game against Waubonsie Valley High School. Naperville Central physical education instructor and team coach Michael Stine either organized or sanctioned the prayer, said Freedom From Religion Foundation attorney Ryan D. Jayne.
. . . Jayne, in a letter of reply Thursday, told Bridges foundation members "appreciate this assurance, but it does not go far enough."
"As explained briefly in our original letter, it is unconstitutional for public school employees to participate in the religious activities of their students," Jayne told Bridges.
Stine did not return a telephone message left Wednesday at his district office. District 203 Board of Education President Terry Fielden did not immediately reply to a telephone request for comment.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Tennessee and in Mississippi but admit they're Short on Lawyers to Sue ALL Christians
In addition, read about the atheists' outrage against any Christian presence in public schools across America, including the war on Christmas, and read how the schools support atheists, even though polls show that most Americans support prayer in school.
Why is there NO outcry from atheists about overt indoctrination of Islam in public schools?
