FFRF targets unconstitutional prayers by Arkansas archery coach

Photo by Balint Mendlik on Unsplash

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is urging the Valley View Public Schools system to immediately put a stop to a district archery coach’s practice of leading team members in prayers.

A concerned district parent informed the state/church watchdog that the archery coach at Valley View Intermediate School has a pattern and practice of leading students in Christian prayer before tournaments and official archery events, such as a recent awards ceremony. Audio provided to FFRF from this ceremony confirmed that the coach and what appeared to be a coach-selected student led the entire audience, including other students, in an explicitly Christian prayer. 

The parent who reported this unconstitutional practice explained that they are not religious and that they are “more than disappointed” that their child has been “exposed to such blatant proselytizing.” 

FFRF has written to the district to stand up for students’ and parents’ rights of conscience.

“Here, the archery coach is undeniably pushing her personal religious beliefs onto students by coercing the entire archery team to participate in prayers as part of official school-sponsored activities,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence writes. “The coach is blatantly crossing the constitutional line and violating student-athletes’ First Amendment rights.”

Student-athletes are especially susceptible to coercion, and the relationship between student-athletes and their coaches is inherently ripe for coercion. Students know that their coaches control their positions on the team, including who plays in each game. When coaches lead students in prayer or direct students to lead their teammates in prayer, students will no doubt feel that participating in the prayer is essential to avoiding punishment, pleasing their coach, and being viewed as a team player. They are unlikely to speak up against their coach pushing religion on them, even if they do not feel comfortable. It is unrealistic as well as unconstitutional to make students choose between allowing their school coach to violate their constitutional rights or openly dissenting — with the risk of punishment and further retaliation.

School-sponsored prayer also needlessly marginalizes students, such as our complainant’s child, who are nonreligious, or those who are members of minority faiths. Statistically, nearly half of Americans born after 1996 are nonreligious.

FFRF asserts that to protect students’ First Amendment rights, Valley View Public Schools must immediately investigate and ensure that the Valley View Intermediate School archery coach ceases leading students in prayer and assigning students to lead other students in prayer.

“FFRF has long believed that students should never feel they have to pray to play,” FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor says. “District sports coaches are well aware of the position and influence they hold. Students’ rights must be protected from coercive religious practices, especially when they feel participation influences their standing on the team.” 

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with over 41,000 members and several chapters across the country, including hundreds of members and a chapter in Arkansas. Its purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.

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Monumental problem: Trump arch would carve religion into public space

The Freedom From Religion Foundation strongly objects to the religious messaging and symbolism on President Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C.

While there is widespread opposition to the arch, which Trump has quadrupled in size since first proposing, the religious component to the proposal has not received attention.

Renderings of the proposed structure depict the phrase “ONE NATION UNDER GOD” engraved prominently across the facade of the massive arch, which Trump has demanded as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. His design also features patriotic and quasi-religious imagery, including gold eagles, lions and a winged angel figure modeled after Lady Liberty.

“Combining explicit religious language with national symbolism sends a dangerous message that belief in God is tied to patriotism and American identity,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “That excludes millions of nonreligious Americans and violates the foundational principle that government must remain neutral on matters of religion.”

The arch — a gaudy, gold-plated imitation of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe — is just another Trump vanity project. Asked last year who the monument was intended to honor, Trump reportedly gave a one-word answer: “Me.”

Nearly 1,000 written comments submitted to the federal Commission of Fine Arts opposed the arch. Not a single comment supported it. Polling likewise shows that Americans oppose the proposal by a margin of 51 percent to 21 percent. Nevertheless, the commission — now stacked with Trump appointees — granted preliminary approval minus the gilded statues on top, even as lawsuits move forward seeking to block the monument.

FFRF notes that while the project is framed as patriotic, the inclusion of “One Nation Under God” transforms it into an explicitly religious statement. The phrase itself was not part of the original Pledge of Allegiance. It was only added at the behest of religious lobbies in 1954 during the Cold War. FFRF has long challenged the religious tampering with the Pledge, noting that it is unconstitutional, exclusionary and obviously inaccurate, since many Americans do not believe in a god.

FFRF is also criticizing the monument’s angelic imagery. The proposed design reimagines Lady Liberty, who traditionally represents secular ideals of freedom and democracy, in overtly religious terms by depicting her as a winged heavenly figure.

The proposal has already sparked criticism from architects, historians and veterans groups, who argue that the giant arch would overwhelm the nearby Arlington National Cemetery and disrupt the historic character of the National Mall. Legal challenges are also underway over whether the project can proceed without explicit congressional authorization.

Questions also remain over funding. Although Trump has suggested private donors could finance the project, reports indicate that the National Endowment for the Humanities has reserved $15 million for the effort, raising concerns about taxpayer involvement in what amounts to a religiously infused vanity monument.

FFRF emphasizes that public monuments should unite Americans around shared constitutional principles — not promote theological beliefs.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With more than 41,000 members, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.

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FFRF rebukes Trump cabinet officials pushing D.C. Christian nationalist rally

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is decrying the inappropriate official promotion of an upcoming Christian nationalist prayer rally on the National Mall that it has been warning about.

Numerous cabinet officials have released slick endorsement videos and social media endorsements to promote the revival on Sunday, May 17, encouraging Americans to attend what organizers are describing as a day of “worship,” “Scripture,” “testimony” and national prayer. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has called the event “a national celebration honoring the shared ideals that shape our country.” Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has described it as “a day of reflection, prayer, and hope for America’s future.” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has promoted the gathering as “a day centered on worship, testimony, prayer, and hope for our nation’s future.”

And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declared, “A nation worth fighting for is a nation worth praying for.” At the same time, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has proclaimed: “Our Founders turned to faith as their guide as they laid the foundation of the greatest nation in history.”

“This is Christian nationalism in action working through the federal government,” says Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. “I can’t imagine a more blatant example than this government-hosted event that equates piety with patriotism and portrays one brand of Christianity as the core of American identity.”

The rally features a roster of sitting government officials and political figures, including Hegseth, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and White House Faith Office adviser Paula White.

The event, branded as “A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving,” is being promoted as a nationwide effort to “rededicate” America to God ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary. Organizers explicitly describe the gathering as rooted in “giving thanks for God’s presence in our national life” and include a “collective expression of gratitude” asking for “God’s blessing, guidance, and grace for the next 250” years. “One nation under God” is the theme of the prayer fest’s sponsor, Freedom 250, an initiative President Trump announced in December that a group of senators is investigating for possibly siphoning off up to $100 million in taxpayer dollars intended for America 250, a campaign created by Congress to celebrate America’s birthday with civics events.

Prominent religious-right figures and Christian nationalist leaders, such as Franklin Graham, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Bishop Robert Barron, Robert Jeffress, Samuel Rodriguez, Jonathan Falwell, Jentezen Franklin and Lou Engle, are joining in. Private Christian bands and choirs will perform alongside military bands.

The rally program repeatedly frames American history through an explicitly religious lens. One featured segment, titled “The Miracles that Made Us,” celebrates “God’s providence throughout 250 years” and “the faith that inspired America’s Founders.” Another pillar calls for “A New Birth of Faith and Freedom” through a national “rededication” to God.

Totally ignored is the fact that the U.S. Constitution was the first in history to omit any reference to a deity and that its only references to religion are exclusionary, such as barring any religious test for public office. Under the First Amendment, government may not favor religion over nonreligion or one religion over others.

FFRF emphasizes that Americans are free to pray, worship and practice religion privately. “But this event is doing precisely what government officials may not do, using governmental imprimatur to endorse religion, organize a national worship campaign and tie belief in a god to patriotism and citizenship,” adds FFRF Co-President Dan Barker.

FFRF is still awaiting its Freedom of Information Act request seeking information on the funding of the prayer event. Last week, it called on its members and the public at large to boycott United Airlines and Mastercard, which are among the major corporate sponsors.

No matter how many politicians wrap religious extremism in patriotic rhetoric, the United States remains a secular constitutional republic — and FFRF will defend the rights of all Americans to live free from government-imposed religion.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With more than 41,000 members, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.

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Debate: Did Jesus Rise From the Dead? – Trent Horn vs Alex O’Connor

Debate: Did Jesus Rise From the Dead? – Trent Horn vs Alex O’Connor

A private Muslim event at a Texas water park was legal. Greg Abbott shut it down anyway.

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The Christian Nationalists in charge of Texas have shut down a Muslim celebration of the end of Eid al-Adha at a city-owned facility using the excuse that their event was limited to Muslims and therefore discriminatory. Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to withhold $530,000 in public safety funding from the city of Grand Prairie if the June 1 event was allowed to proceed. It’s just the latest example of Republicans using their religious superiority complex to make life worse for non-Christians in the state.

The event in question was “Epic Eid” taking place at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. While the city-owned park is open to the public most days, groups willing to pay can rent the whole damn place for private events at a cost of at least $5,000/hour. That’s what local Muslims did the past two years when they bought out the place for an Eid celebration. Interested families could buy tickets through the group, knowing that halal food would be served, everyone would be in “modest” swimwear, and there would be space set aside for evening prayers.

To be clear: There’s nothing unusual about this arrangement. Private groups can rent out public facilities and set their own rules for admission. (And it’s perfectly sensible to allow in only members of your group.) The flyer for last year’s event called it a “Muslim-only event” and said the park was “reserved exclusively for the Muslim community.”

There were no complaints about it in the past because why the hell would there be?

That’s why the organizers didn’t think there would be any issue with this year’s identical event:

Unfortunately, they made the mistake of being Muslims in Texas. And when right-wing activists saw this flyer, they knew they could get a rise out of their bigot base by pretending this was an example of Islam taking over their state. The New York Post and conservative commentators pointed to the “Muslims only” description as a blatant case of discrimination and ran with it.

The organizers attempted to fix the issue by revising the flyer to say that anyone was welcome as long as they wore modest clothing and wanted to celebrate Eid. (That was always the case, but it was easier to advertise to the broader Muslim community by saying this was an event exclusively for Muslims.)

Organizer Aminah Knight explained:

“At its core, this event is about creating a space where individuals and families, particularly those who value modest dress and a modest environment, can come together and enjoy a recreational setting comfortably,” Knight wrote, adding that anyone who is “a different faith who wants to celebrate the Eid holiday with us and adhere to the modest dress code” is welcome to attend the event.

For what it’s worth, this is a normal things groups do! Hell, here’s another event at a water park in Texas that’s sponsored by Christians and includes a baptism. (It’s not a perfect comparison—that location isn’t city-owned, for one thing—but it’s the same principle.) Ministries often rent out publicly funded baseball stadiums for massive events, too! Globe Life Field, a publicly funded stadium where the Texas Rangers play baseball, is hosting a Christian event later this year and tickets are limited to people ages 18-25; that’s not age discrimination! It’s also worth pointing out that Christian events don’t normally have to say they’re “Christian only” because the purpose of those events is to baptize or proselytize. This Muslim event wasn’t about converting anybody.

It didn’t matter.

Gov. Abbott immediately acted like this Muslim event was a threat to everyone. He sent a letter to city officials saying he would pull their public safety grants if they didn’t put a stop to this, even comparing it to a “Whites only” event, which is not how analogies work.

In public fliers, organizers described the event as: “MUSLIM ONLY EVENT”; “FOR MUSLIMS ONLY”; and “CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC — MUSLIMS ONLY.” In a tacit admission, organizers have already rushed to delete that language. Now, fliers state that “ALL ARE WELCOME” and the event is restricted only by a requirement of “MODEST DRESS.” The first hint that the broader public is not really welcome, however, is language explaining that any women wishing to attend must wear “burkinis.” The organizer’s website makes matters clearer, stating that “[t]his event is closed to the general public” and “at all times” attendees must “dress in accordance with Islamic values.”’ If there were any doubt remaining, the website dispels it: “The entire waterpark has been exclusively reserved for Muslims.”’

… An event at a city-owned pool that was publicly and indiscriminately advertised as “Whites only” would surely violate the Constitution…

Abbott added on X/Twitter: “ The City must cancel the event and commit to never allowing something like it again by May 11th, or lose $530,000 in state grants. Let this be a lesson to local officials: Facilities funded by ALL taxpayers are not just for a subset of Texans.”

That’s a wild thing to say in the state currently forcing the KJV version of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom… Then again, we’re talking about the same people trying to suppress the power of the Black vote by claiming the Voting Rights Act made them victims of anti-white discrimination.

But this facility isn’t discriminating against anybody. They rent out their space to anyone, and those private parties have every right to set ground rules for who can attend. If I rent a public banquet hall for a religious wedding, I’m allowed to have religious rules during the event. It’s not like the water park is discriminating against non-Muslims. And even the organizers freely admitted they weren’t discriminating either; if you wanted to celebrate Eid with them, you were welcome to come!

Sadly, though, the threat worked.

A spokesperson for the City of Grand Prairie said Thursday the city canceled the DFW Epic Eid Celebration scheduled for June 1 at the Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark.

“After further review and in the best interest of the City of Grand Prairie, the June 1 Eid event at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark has been canceled,” the spokesperson said.

Notice that the city didn’t admit any discrimination was taking place. Because there was none. It appears that the city’s “best interest” is simply to not fight this battle. I don’t blame them. That said, they gave a bizarre explanation to Knight as to why they were canceling: They said she hadn’t made the proper payments. Knight told FOX 4 she had been trying to make those payments for several days. If that’s true, the city’s excuse could be their way to avoid any potential lawsuit.

Knight doesn’t seem like she’s going to file any lawsuit right now, but you better believe she’s confused about why this is a problem:

“Last year the flyer said, come on out to celebrate the Eid. This will be a Muslim-only event. I just want to clarify that because it’s celebrating the Eid holiday — I mean who celebrates the Eid holiday? Muslims, right?” Knight said. “It was my way of letting the Muslim community know, hey, I’ve curated something just for you.”

She said in a follow-up statement:

I am deeply disappointed that DFW Epic Eid has been canceled.

What began as a private event for the Muslim community to celebrate Eid in a joyful and modest environment became something much bigger than I ever imagined. The flyer was originally shared within private community spaces, but it was later circulated more broadly by people who were not interested in attending, but rather in creating division and controversy.

While I did receive hateful messages from people who misunderstood the event, I also believe this moment sparked important conversations about Muslims in America and how our community is viewed.

My faith is not something to fear.

Not because I am personally afraid of disagreement, but because fear and misunderstanding can grow into discrimination, and that is dangerous for any society. When people begin to see their neighbors as foreign or as though they do not belong, it weakens the fabric of our nation.

I was born here. I was raised here. I was educated here. I belong here. I am proud to be both Muslim and American. I have spent nearly 20 years serving my community as an educator and attended NYU, USC, and Vanderbilt University.

And despite the negativity, I still choose conversation over division.

So this Fourth of July, I will be partnering with brothers and sisters from other faith communities to host an interfaith event called “The Great American Cookout,” where people from different backgrounds can come together, connect, and truly get to know one another as fellow Americans.

Although this experience has been painful, my faith teaches me that within every difficulty there is ease.

And I believe something beautiful can still come from this.

She’s a better person than Abbott and his Christian Nationalist allies can ever hope to be. (Dr. Knight did not respond to my request for further comment.)

A lot of the backlash to this online comes from people who clearly don’t understand the situation. They’re acting like this is taxpayer-funded promotion of Islam when it’s nothing like that. Abbott and his fellow Republicans are jumping on that ignorance to fuel even more anti-Muslim bigotry.

But this isn’t complicated. The city wasn’t denying anyone access to a government facility. A private group rented out a public facility for a private celebration, the same way that churches, youth groups, sports leagues, and conservative organizations do all the time. The only reason this suddenly became a crisis is because the people hosting the event were Muslim. That’s it. By pretending this private Eid gathering was equivalent to some kind of Jim Crow segregation, Abbott and his allies manufactured outrage, which is all they know how to do because they’re never really victims of anything.

The hypocrisy here is impossible to ignore. Republicans routinely weaponize the language of “fairness,” “public access,” and “religious liberty” when it can be used against minorities they don’t like. The message to Muslims is clear: You can exist on society only as long as Christians are comfortable. The moment you dare to publicly celebrate your faith, a Christian-run government will be mobilized against you. (Remember that Abbott lost a case where he tried to block atheists from putting up a display inside the Capitol.)

The most telling thing in this whole controversy is how the two sides reacted. Knight responded with grace, outreach, and an invitation to interfaith understanding. Abbott responded with threats, intimidation, and demagoguery. Republicans don’t care about religious equality; the moment a non-Christian group wants to do what Christians do all the time, they’ll be under attack as long as these people are in charge.

American Atheists FOIAs Trump’s DOJ… Again

That the Department of Justice would use the list of those attending the meetings of a government commission to promote a purely Christian event highlights just how far this administration will go to push their extremism.

The post American Atheists FOIAs Trump’s DOJ… Again appeared first on American Atheists.

American Atheists, Partners Announce: Reimagining America Summit

The Reimagining America Summit will bring together an exciting slate of experts, activists, and entertainers for thought-provoking discussions about our collective future.

The post American Atheists, Partners Announce: Reimagining America Summit appeared first on American Atheists.

What Kind of World Makes So Many Messiahs? (feat Dr John J Collins)

“We Will Find You”

White Christian Nationalists have decided the less-important thing — the thing that comes second in their ‘Certain Americans First’ strategy — is anyone and everyone with a different way of thinking.

The post “We Will Find You” appeared first on American Atheists.