A public school system in Oklahoma stopped a high school football coach from leading students in prayer before games. (April 2026)

Oklahoma —

Thanks to information provided by a local member, FFRF’s work saw the San Springs Public Schools system in Oklahoma stop a high school football coach from leading students in prayer before games.

After receiving a report from member William Dusenberry, FFRF learned that the head football coach at Charles Page High school had reportedly led student-athletes in the Lord’s Prayer before a game in December 2025. In order to protect student rights, FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district, calling for an investigation to put a stop to coaching staff  pushing prayer on students.

“When coaches lead students in prayer and direct or encourage them to pray, the student-athletes will no doubt feel that participating in that prayer is essential to pleasing their coach and being viewed as a team player,” Lawrence wrote.

The district rightfully looked into the situation, and FFRF learned from the district’s legal representative, John E. Priddy, that action had been taken. “The administration and I have spoken about ensuring that this does not happen in the future and the administration is committed to ensuring the law is followed.”

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A school district made sure that a superintendent wouldn’t continue the practice of emailing students overtly religious content. (April 2026)

Pennsylvania —

The Muhlenberg School District in Reading, Pa., made sure that the superintendent wouldn’t continue the practice of emailing students overtly religious content.

A student informed FFRF that on April 18, 2025, the district superintendent sent a schoolwide email to all Muhlenberg High School students and staff that explicitly promoted Christian beliefs, including a statement about how students need to “remember that Jesus gave His life out of love for all humanity.” The email signature additionally promotes faith. The student explained that this was not the first time the superintendent has promoted Christianity in a school setting, and they felt unheard and unseen due to the superintendent’s actions.

“Public school staff, including superintendents, may not promote religion to students,” FFRF Staff Attorney Madeline Ziegler wrote to the school board.

The school board reached out to its legal representative Brian F. Boland. “The matter you brought to the school district’s attention in July has been investigated and addressed,” Boland confirmed. “We welcome you to advise us if any such issues should come to your attention in the future.”

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A Police Department in Tennessee removed a bible quote after FFRF explained how it isolated non-Christian members of the community. (April 2026)

Tennessee —

The Mount Juliet Police Department in Tennessee removed a bible quote after FFRF explained how it isolated non-Christian members of the community.

A concerned resident informed FFRF that the Mount Juliet Police Department’s roll call room in its headquarters had a bible verse displayed prominently on the front wall. It read, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying. ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’ – Isaiah 6:8.” The resident who reported the quote stated that seeing the bible verse made them feel that “the police are working on behalf of one religious group rather than all.”

“Minority religious and nonreligious citizens should not be made to feel like outsiders in their own community because the MJPD promotes a particular religious group’s beliefs, implying official support for Christianity,” FFRF Legal Fellow Charlotte R. Gude wrote to Chief of Police Tyler Chandler.

After receiving FFRF’s letter, the violation was corrected. In an email to FFRF, Chandler addressed the complaint, stating that it would be resolved quickly. “I opted to have our construction manager and the graphics vendor revise the quote, and I am waiting for the work to be completed,” he wrote. “There are other graphic items in the new building that need to be corrected (not related to your specific inquiry), and all work should be completed by the end of the month.”

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A school district in Wisconsin made sure to refocus future Veterans Day programs by removing a scheduled prayer from future events. (April 2026)

Wisconsin —

The school district of Loyal, Wis., made sure to refocus future Veterans Day programs by removing a scheduled prayer from future events.

A district parent reported that in 2024 and 2025, the district’s Veterans Day programs on Nov. 11 included prayer as a scheduled part of the program. Additionally, FFRF learned that the football coach was leading the team in prayer before games and at team dinners.

“Even if students and parents know about the religious content of these activities and are able to opt out, voluntariness is no excuse for violating students’ rights,” FFRF Staff Attorney Madeline Ziegler wrote to the district.

After receiving FFRF’s letter, Superintendent Chris Lindner took the time to respond to the concerns and ensure that students’ rights were the district’s top priority. “I will talk to the program director of the Veterans Day program about taking this off the schedule,” Lindner wrote. Thankfully, Lindner also confirmed that the coach was not leading prayers, and that students were not being forced to participate in the religious practice.

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FFRF places full-page ad in NY Times supporting ‘No Kings’ march

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is joining in the defense of secular democracy with a full-page advertisement in the March 28 New York Times that coincides with the nationwide “No Kings” marches. 

The ad, which will appear in perhaps the country’s most respected newspaper, warns against the growing influence of Christian nationalism in American government and calls on citizens to reaffirm the nation’s foundational principle: that there are no kings — only laws, and a Constitution that applies equally to all. 

“America was founded on the rejection of monarchy and the embrace of Enlightenment ideals,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “We’re reminding the public that no political leader is above the law, and no religion should be imposed through government.” 

The “No Kings” marches, taking place in cities across the country, are organized in response to increasing concerns about authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic norms. FFRF’s ad underscores the role of secular governance in protecting individual freedoms, including religious liberty and the right to nonbelief. 

“The separation of state and church is what ensures true religious freedom,” says FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. “When government aligns with religion, it undermines both democracy and personal liberty.”

The advertisement features bold, symbolic imagery and a clear message: In the United States, sovereignty belongs to the people — not to religious authority or political strongmen.

FFRF encourages supporters and concerned citizens to participate in local “No Kings” marches and to remain vigilant in defending constitutional rights.

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 close to 42,000 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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April 13, 2026 – FFRF Co-President Dan Barker to perform live in FFRF’s Concert Series (Madison, Wis.)

Madison, Wis.-area FFRF members and their family and friends are invited to attend FFRF’s unique monthly concert series beginning Monday, April 13, 2026 and taking place in FFRF’s 4th floor auditorium.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. (CT) sharp. Please be there no later than 6:45 p.m. (CT) because events will also be livestreamed.

Concerts will begin at 7:00 p.m. (CT) sharp. The hour-long concerts will be followed by dessert.

Please RSVP by Thursday, April 9, 2026 to reserve your spot(s) for the debut concert. To RSVP, send an email to RSVP@ffrf.org or call 608-256-8900.

Mark your calendar for future concerts:

Monday, April 13 — Composer Jerome Kern.

Monday, May 11 — Songwriter Irving Berlin. 

Monday, June 8 — Songwriters George & Ira Gershwin.

Monday, July 13 — Lyricist Yip Harburg.

Monday, August 24 — Songwriter Cole Porter.

Monday, September 21 — Composers Richard & Mary Rodgers.

Monday, November 9 — Finale. Medley including Dorothy Fields, Jay Gorney, Burton Lane, Tom Lehrer, Frank Loesser, Thelonious Monk, Stephen Sondheim and Charles Strouse.

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FFRF pointed out secular students’ rights not to participate in religious assignments. (March 2026)

California —

The Los Angeles Unified School District affirmed secular students’ rights not to participate in religious assignments going forward after FFRF pointed out the exclusive nature of a Day of the Dead lesson.

A district parent reported that from October to November 2025, Broadway Elementary School was instructing their first-graders about Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and required students to participate in crafting an “ofrenda,” an altar to deceased family members.

The student was given a flyer that explained “Families believe the spirits of their loved ones return to the world of the living for a brief time to visit their families,” and that “Offerings are made to the spirits, including their favorite foods, drinks and personal items, to help guide and nourish them on their journey.”

The parent stated that their child was confused and did not comprehend the spiritual meaning behind creating the altars, and they had to explain to their child that the traditions the school was teaching were not practices the family believed in.

FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district, which then worked to provide a more inclusive and welcoming environment for students. “District policy allows students to opt out of extracurricular or noninstructional activities that may conflict with religious or personal beliefs,” Chief Administrative & Education Counsel My I. Huynh wrote. “In the event that an opt out is requested, school administrators are to ensure that an alternate activity is provided as a form of accommodation. Parents can be notified ahead of time to ensure that they have ample time to request any accommodation.” Huynh also ensured that school administrators were instructed that if religious themes were to be included in lessons going forward, they must be presented in a neutral and objective manner, and be directly related to sound secular educational goals.

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FFRF reminded employees of their responsibility to remain secular at district-sponsored events. (March 2026)

Colorado —

FFRF’s advocacy ensured that the Denver Public Schools system reminded employees of their responsibility to remain secular at district-sponsored events.

A district parent reported that on Feb. 27, 2025, Lena Archuleta Elementary School invited students and parents to the school for a school-sponsored Community Unity Night Black History Event. Reportedly, the master of ceremonies, a teacher at Lena Archuleta, explained that “prayer is a foundation of Black culture.” After this comment, the teacher acknowledged that she was not supposed to lead students in prayer at school, but she “wanted to start the event off with prayer anyways.” According to the parent, the teacher directed all attendees, including students, to bow their heads and join her in a prayer that was explicitly directed to God.

Following a letter from FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence, the district conducted an investigation into the situation. Lauren Parsons, senior counsel for the Denver Public Schools, confirmed that the district had taken appropriate steps to address the violation, including addressing the matter with the teacher, and providing ongoing training and guidance to employees regarding constitutional requirements.

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FFRF made sure that a school principal would no longer be pushing her religion onto faculty and staff. (March 2026)

Georgia —

FFRF made sure that a principal in the Jefferson (Ga.) City Schools system would no longer be pushing her religion onto faculty and staff as an official representative of the district.

A concerned employee reported that the Jefferson Middle School principal was regularly leading faculty in prayer during meetings. Reportedly, the principal had also appointed the assistant principal to lead prayer if she cannot attend a faculty meeting. The prayers were noted to always or nearly always specifically be Christian.

Additionally, the principal was sending weekly emails to faculty and staff in which she directly referenced and quoted the bible. The employee who contacted FFRF explained that they felt it was wrong for the principal to talk about Jesus and God, and they felt bad for those who had to be subjected to the principal’s belief system “as if it is the RIGHT way to believe.”

After receiving a letter from FFRF Attorney Sammi Lawrence, the district reached out to legal representative Cory O. Kirby. “The superintendent met with the middle school principal and explained the principal separation of church and state specifically addressing the perception of promoting or inhibiting a particular religion through her communications,” Kirby wrote. “The superintendent and the district are confident that the principal is now cognizant of this matter and has assured the superintendent that this will not occur again.”

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FFRF assured that students will no longer have to listen to blatantly Christian music over speakers while they are arriving in the morning. (March 2026)

Georgia —

FFRF was able to assure that students in the Dalton Public Schools system in Georgia will no longer have to listen to blatantly Christian music over speakers while they are arriving in the morning.

A district community member reported that a Bluetooth speaker in the Dalton High School cafeteria was “blasting” Christian worship music every morning. The speaker was located next to the breakfast cart that students used in the morning. Reportedly, the speaker belonged to school staff, not students, and the music could be heard down the hallway. The music was said to be overtly Christian, confirmed by a video received from the complainant.

FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district and it responded quickly. “School district administration is meeting with the cafeteria staff to remind them of the requirements of the First Amendment as it relates to the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses,” Cory O. Kirby, the district’s legal representative, confirmed.

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