Atheist group threatens lawsuit against Chestatee HS for football prayer

GAINESVILLE -- The American Humanist Association Appignani Humanist Legal Center has threatened a lawsuit against Chestatee High School on behalf of a concernced citizen, objecting to an "unconstitutional infusion of religion into the high school football program."<br /> <br /> In a letter sent via email to Superintendent of Hall County Schools Will Schofield, the AHA says that they "have been informed that the school's football coaches have been using their position to promote Christianity on the football team by integrating Bible verses into functional team documents and team promotions in various ways."<br /> <br /> The letter was also sent to Board of Education Chairman Nath Morris and CHS Principal Suzanne Jarrard.<br /> <br /> "The main issue that we have here is that the school, by allowing its coaches and faculty to participate in prayer with students, really amounts to an unconstitutional endorsement of religion," says Monica Miller, an attorney with the AHA.<br /> <br /> Miller said the complaint came from a "concerned citizen," but she said that person has asked to remain anonymous.<br /> <br /> In the letter, AHA asks the schools to respond with detailed information on how they will comply with the demands within two weeks, or else face a lawsuit.<br /> <br /> Gordon Higgins, Director of Community Relations for the school system, said in an email statement that the system "has read [the] letter, and will be doing an investigation over the next several days concerning the allegations."<br /> <br /> He added "a response is forthcoming."<br /> <br /> The AHA's letter can be viewed at the link below.