Athletic Association Sued for Banning Loudspeaker Prayer Before Game Between Christian Schools
ICC Note: As previously reported, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) recently prohibited prayer from being spoken through a loudspeaker before a football game between two local Christian schools. A lawsuit has since been filed against the FHSAA, mentioning that the prayer could not otherwise be heard unless spoken over the loudspeaker. The FHSAA contends that prayer is not permissible in this fashion because the game was being held in a public facility, paid for with tax money.
By Heather Clark
10/05/2016 United States (Christian News Network) – The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has been leveled with a civil lawsuit after it banned a Christian school from presenting a prayer over the loudspeaker prior to a game between two Christian schools.
Cambridge Christian School is seeking an injunction, as well as a declaratory judgment that the Association’s policy violates both the U.S. and Florida Constitutions.
According to the lawsuit, Cambridge Christian School has a practice of praying over the loudspeaker at every game, and intended to continue its tradition when it earned a spot at the Class 2A Florida state football championship. As its opponent, University Christian School, was also a Christian institution, the two decided to lead attendees in joint prayer at the game.
Since the championship—held last December at Camping World Stadium—was in a large venue, the schools requested permission to use the loudspeaker so the prayer could be heard. But the request was denied due to the Association’s belief that the allowance would be illegal.
“Although both schools are private and religious-affiliated institutions, the federal law addresses two pertinent issues that prevent us from granting your request,” wrote Executive Director Roger Dearing. “First is the fact that the facility is a public facility, predominantly paid for with public tax dollars, makes the facility ‘off limits’ under federal guidelines and precedent court cases.”
“Second is the fact that in Florida Statutes, the FHSAA (host and coordinator of the event) is legally a ‘state actor’ we cannot legally permit or grant permission for such an activity,” he said.