A school in Washington state is facing backlash after it denied a fifth grade girl’s request to start an after hours prayer club, but allowed another student to start an LGBTQ club.
Creekside Elementary said no to 11-year-old Laura when she asked to use the school premises for an interfaith prayer group, with the principal reportedly claiming that all funding for school clubs had already been allocated months prior to the request.
However, it was subsequently discovered that a ‘Pride’ club was approved just a week before.
Speaking to Fox News, Laura stated “I think that this is something that I am very passionate about. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t really want to make this happen, if I didn’t think that it would be a great opportunity for everyone.”
The situation prompted the girl’s parents to contact the First Liberty Institute, a nonprofit Christian legal organisation who subsequently penned a letter to Issaquah School District officials.
The letter notes “Denying the formation of a religious student club while allowing other clubs violates the Constitution.”
It further asserts that “School officials at Creekside Elementary are engaged in religious discrimination against an eleven-year-old girl who simply wants to pray, feel support from other religious friends, and do community service.”
First Liberty further notes that the school is close to Bremerton High School in Washington, where a football coach was fired for praying on the field after each game.
That case went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the coach on First Amendment grounds, leading to his reinstatement.
“The First Amendment ‘doubly protects religious speech’, the letter further points out, adding that the “protections extend to elementary school students expressing their sincere religious beliefs through voluntary club.”
It continues, “the school district flouted its First Amendment obligations when they refused to allow a student-led interfaith prayer club. Its unlawful action violates both the Free Exercise Clause and the Free Speech Clause.”
The school has not commented further on the incident.
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Author: Steve Watson
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