Atheists are giving the rural high school in the southern Illinois community of Norris City just two weeks to ditch prayer at commencement -- where less than a hundred students graduate annually -- or face a legal challenge seeking at least an injunction and a monetary settlement.
For background, read the long list of states enacting laws to bring prayer back to schools.
Also read Humanists Threaten Missouri School over Prayer
In addition, read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Tennessee and in Mississippi but admit they're Short on Lawyers to Sue ALL Christians
-- From "Group threatens lawsuit over southern Illinois high school's graduation prayer" by The Associated Press 1/25/14
[The American Humanist Association (AHA)] insists that by including prayers during the high school's graduation ceremony, the district unconstitutionally coerces students to participate in a religious activity.
The high school's principal, Matt Vollmann, says the student-led prayer long has been part of the ceremony, and that he's never fielded any local complaint.
Vollmann says the district is probing the validity of the aggrieved group's claims.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Group threatens to sue over prayer" by Becky Malkovich, The Southern Illinoisan 1/24/14
Norris City-Omaha-Enfield High School [NCOEHS] administrators received letters via email from the American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center on Wednesday demanding that they end the tradition — or end up in court.
. . . the organization is acting on behalf of several NCOE students who raised concerns about prayer during the ceremony.
The students declined to be identified.
The humanist organization is asking the school for a response within two weeks of receipt of the letter.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "NCOE receives letter to stop prayers at graduation" by Tammy Knox, The Carmi (Illinois) Times 1/25/14
Formed in 1941, the AHA is located in Washington, D.C. According to their Website, the AHA "strives to bring about a progressive society where being good without a god is an accepted and respected way to live life." The definition of a "Humanist" on their Website is explained as, "being a Humanist means trying to behave decently without expectation of rewards or punishment after you are dead."
The organization has more than 20,000 members with more than 160 local chapter groups across the United States. In the immediate area, there are chapters in Carbondale and Marion. The Carbondale chapter serves as the Humanist Round Table of Southern Illinois, Unitarian Fellowship, while the chapter in Marion is the Inmate Humanist Association. There is also a chapter in Jasper, Ind.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read how humanists are NOT without their own "religion" -- that's the indoctrination they want in public schools.
