Texas high school cheerleaders barred from using Bible verses on football banners

One of the banners featuring a religious message that the Kountze High School cheerleaders created. / Facebook/Support Kountze Kids Faith

(CBS/AP) HOUSTON - Cheerleaders from a small southeastern Texas town have been told that they can no longer use Bible verses on their football game banners, leading to outrage in the community.

For three straight weeks, Kountze High School football players town took the field by bolting through large red-and-white banners that hollered the praises of Jesus Christ.

Most people in Kountze viewed the banners as evidence of the students' admirable moral upbringing - Christianity and the Bible always had been fundamental to this town of 2,100.

But someone complained to a foundation that fights for the separation of church and state, and by Tuesday, a day after receiving a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the superintendent banned the banners, and the town became embroiled in a controversy that has touched other communities nationwide.

On Thursday, a judge granted a request by the nonprofit Liberty Institute law firm to temporarily bar the implementation of the ban. It also set a hearing for early October when the sides will be able to make their arguments. The cheerleaders planned to raise their 20-foot banners at Thursday evening's junior varsity football game.

People in the town 90 miles northeast of Houston talk of little else. Parents and students have plastered pictures of the banners - some of which quote scripture, declaring "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me" - on their Facebook pages. A Facebook group created after the ban, Support Kountze Kids Faith, had more than 36,000 members by late Thursday. They argue that it was the students' decision to "give the glory to God this year," and they pledge to help the children make sure their opinions and rights are not violated.

Superintendent Kevin Weldon gently explains to every parent who calls that a 2000 U.S. Supreme Court precedent-setting decision requires religion to be kept out of public schools. Some parents support his decision. Others say they will back their children's First Amendment right to hang the banners.

"It is not a personal opinion of mine," Weldon told KVUE-TV. "My personal convictions are that I am a Christian as well. But I'm also a state employee and Kountze ISD representative. And I was advised that that such a practice would be in direct violation of United State Supreme Court decisions."

Weldon himself is torn, but he has to abide by the judge's injunction, and will let the attorneys decide whether to fight the institute. He added to KVUE-TV that while people in the stands and students are allowed to express their religious beliefs, no person officially representing the school as part of a team or school-sponsored event can.

On one side is the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison, Wisconsin-based nonprofit that challenges any religion in public schools.

"I've never heard of this kind of school problem, this kind of a violation at a public school where students would be expected to run through Bible verses to play football," said the foundation's president, Annie Laurie Gaylor. "It's a new and creative way to work religion into our public schools."

On the other side is the Liberty Institute, a Plano, Texas-based nonprofit law firm that says on its website it is dedicated to "restoring religious liberty across America."

"It's an important and fundamental freedom students have to engage in free speech," said Mike Johnson, senior counsel for the institute. "They are not asking anyone to believe in Christianity or accept the faith. They are just well wishes."

Cheerleader Macy Matthews says no school money was used and the signs weren't made on school property.>

"I'm actually thankful for (the controversy)," cheerleader Ashton Jennings said to KVUE-TV. "Because if someone hadn't complained, or if there hadn't been any opposition we wouldn't have this chance to spread God's word in this big of a way."

But Tanner Hunt, attorney for the Kountze Independent School District, believes a Supreme Court decision in 2000 that barred prayer at the start of a high school football game sets the precedent.

Hunt said, "The answer was clear: they must cease and desist."

[bobbynorwich22]

And a Muslim student could put up banners with her religious sayings also I assume.

[booker59]

You assume correctly; that is, if the Christian banner is ruled constitutionally protected. I have doubts about that, since the cheerleaders were in uniform and performing at a school-sponsored function.

But certainly, religious expression by students on school grounds that is not officially sponsored has been ruled a constitutional right by the courts, and it would certainly apply to all religions.

[beenaroundtheblock2]

Well, well, well. This is just about what I would expect from a bunch of narrow minded people. I am talking about the bashers AGAINST these KIDS. Remember, we are talking about children. Children that WANT to stand for something. Children that AREN'T out robbing or murdering you tonight. These KIDS want to show thier love for God and all you want to do is knock THEIR beliefs. Not their friends, not their parents (eventhough thats where it may have began...just like most of us...), but it started in THEIR OWN HEARTS!!! All you can do is tear them down. Pathetic.

That is why this world is the way it is now. In the 40's and 50's, this talk would not have been heard. I know; it wasn't a perfect world back then, but it was alot better than it is now. I have been from one side of this great country of ours to the other. I can truly say that we are more alike than we give ourselves credit for.

We all want what is best for our family first, and eachother second. Nothing wrong with that. Just remember that it is freedom OF religion not FROM religion.

[Lizzabee]

I am a sailor in the United States Navy and the fact that so many people from a small town are raising so many negative opinions towards these young people astounds me. These students are out there on that feild putting on a football game for their family and friends and fellow student body. They are not asking for anything in return, except your support, to be in those stands and cheer them on. These cheerleaders did not hold a gun to the players heads and tell them they HAD to run though that banner, nor did they say they would not be out there on the sidelines to cheer them on if they refused to run through it.

Let me tell you something. When a Navy ship is deployed, every single night a prayer is said over the 1MC. We do not all have the same religious beliefs. But the sailors onboard who are not Christian do not go and attack the Chaplain for praying for our safety and well being either. If thousands upon thousands of sailors can lay in their racks and except the prayers being passed for them, then why cant a small town of people except these scriptures for a good game...? Your US Navy has unselfishly been serving this country with this same tradition for years and not once have i ever heard one of my shipmates complain about being prayed for while we are out sailing to defend this country. So why is it such a big deal for these young people to play a simple game for YOU with a harmless scripture to start it off?

My prayers go out to all the families recieving complaints, as well as all the families giving those complaints.

As one of your military members i support these students for expressing what they believe in. I am sure these young peoples intentions were not to "convert" anyone in the stands, but to simply send their team with a small gesture of kindness. May God help this small town and their contraversy.

[Richard_Grinman]

The fact that it is a SMALL town means that we need to be even MORE vigilant in preventing the endorsement of any single religion and the culture of ignorance that it propagates.

Small towns, with their attitudes about these things, are where the cross burnings, lynchings, assaults and murders of people deemed "different" happen and get covered up.

There are Christian private schools where this is acceptable. Public schools simply cannot.

Cheers.

[Mefeesto666]

If all these parents want their children to be exposed to the almighty and mythical god at every turn, they why don't they conjure up the guts and the money necessary to send their kids to private school? Do they not have the courage of their convictions? Is their faith not as strong as they claim? Shouldn't parents do whatever it takes for their kids? Then put up or shut up...either send them to private school or take down the banners. It's just that simple.

[addiecoltmom]

I am completely blown away by the negative comments left on this site. For people who are so offended by it, you are sure spending alot of time talking about it. There are many things in society that I find offensive, yet in effort not to violate others' rights, I choose to avoid those situations. I certainly do not spend my time talking about them. Why would I want to immerse myself in the things I find disgusting? I am very proud of these young ladies for standing up for what they believe, and if you don't like it, then look away. That's what we do. You might even find that your life is a little more peaceful!

[Nathan6329]

The problem isn't so much that many of the students have Christian principles, but that they are putting them on behalf of the school and making all football players run through a banner with Bible verses in order to play. If a few players want to form their own small optional prayer circle that is fine, but a banner like that is more certainly in violation of the law as it should be.

[sapphireblues]

so extremist West borrow can protest hate at funerals while high school kids are not allowed to express their own faith and well wishes. US is f-up now.

[Carabou72]

Separation of Church and State? Ha. If ppl really want that then that should work two ways, not just one. Meaning, Churches should be free from following State law just as State law is free from what any one Church teaches.... that would be true separation of Church and state, which is supposedly what everyone wants.

[unclesike]

Hey guys I am trying to organize a massive concert / Prayer meeting around Oct. the 13th. I am looking for as much support as possible. All donations will be given to the Kountze Cheerleaders for legal fees if there are any and all others will go to help sponsor the event as well as set up a scholorship fund. I know that this event has everyone thinking so lets act and show this world that we are ...standing up for our rights. We are not just supporting and fighting for Kountze but, every student in every school in our country. Lets be bold and voice out our beliefs and stand up for our right to serve our God openly. Thank you for you support. I am the Pastor of Central Baptist Church in Kountze and you can message me or contact me at 409-554-3202. e-mail [e-mail]

[unclesike]

I am Kevin Brown you may also contact me at 409-998-0720 I am will to help Bro Aron Leger with the event

[Nathan6329]

You have no right to state that Christianity is the word on what's moral and what isn't on behalf of the students and claim they should be Christian if they are not. If someone complained, that means they are uncomfortable and shouldn't be forced to accept your religious beliefs.

[margroks]

Keep religion to yourself. It has no business in a public arena such as school or sports.

[addiecoltmom]

Sure it does!