ICC Note: Following a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), an Ohio pastor is no longer permitted to host a Bible study for students at a local middle school during their lunch hour. Although the Bible study was voluntary, the FFRF asserted that it was unconstitutional to host such meetings on school property during school hours.

04/09/2018 United States (Christian News Network) – An Ohio pastor will no longer be allowed to offer a voluntary lunchtime Bible study for students at a local middle school after one of the nation’s most conspicuous professing atheist organizations submitted a letter of complaint to the school district.

An attorney for the Indian Creek School District has submitted a letter to the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) advising that the school district will meet with the pastor to explain their “legal obligations,” which they believe prohibits him from sharing the gospel with students.

“At this meeting, the district will ensure that Mr. Bauman does not regularly lead or attend student group activities in the district’s schools,” attorney Donna Andrew of Pepple & Waggoner, Ltd. wrote. “Additionally, the district will ensure that Mr. Bauman will not proselytize to students during the school day.”

As previously reported, FFRF submitted correspondence last month to Indian Creek Superintendent T.C. Chappelear after a Facebook post from Bobbyjon Bauman of the Valley Youth Network was brought to their attention.

“We had 165 kids at the FCA Bible studies during lunch at Indian Creek Middle School today! I shared the gospel with them using Romans 6:23 as the touchstone verse. None of the kids in any of the four Bible study groups even knew what the word ‘gospel’ meant, so I was able to share with them the significance of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Bauman wrote.

“The kids were very responsive to the message and we had 30 of them request Bibles because they didn’t own one, so next week, we will be bringing them Bibles,” he outlined, explaining student interest.

…

[Full Story]

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected]