An atheist group is claiming victory after a Georgia school district pledged not to allow outside groups like the Gideons to distribute religious materials in the classroom.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation, which represents atheists, agnostics and skeptics, sent a letter to Effingham County Schools in Springfield, Ga., last December alleging that two schools – Ebenezer Elementary and Marlow Elementary – had allowed the Gideons to “enter classrooms, preach to students about the significance of the bible, and distribute Bibles to students.” The allegations were made on behalf of “multiple” parents of students, according to the letter.
“It is our understanding that every child was given a bible, but they were told that they could return it to the teacher if they don’t want it,” the letter, dated Dec. 13, said. “… Courts have uniformly held that the distribution of bibles to students at public schools during instruction time is prohibited.”
The district had “egregiously violated” the rights of its students, the letter said.
Attorney James D. Kreyenbuhl, representing the school district, responded May 29 and said the matter had been resolved.
“Although I disagree with your characterization of the School District’s handling of this matter or that any students’ rights were ‘egregiously violated,’ the Board of Education has authorized me to assure that…
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