An Illinois public school principal is under fire for allegedly promoting religion to teachers and students. The Freedom From Religion Foundation says that La Harpe Elementary School Principal Lila McKeown reportedly “regularly distributes flyers to teachers at staff meetings, and that the flyers often include bible verses and otherwise promote religion.”
The group also says she “reportedly uses her position to promote her personal religion to teachers and students.”
As an example, the FFRF published this flyer (above) that was distributed to teachers ahead of Spring break. It includes direction for teachers to “Focus on spirituality,” saying, “Easter is the celebration of God’s greatest gift – salvation through Jesus Christ.”
It also includes an “Easter Blessings” graphic that says, “May you feel Christ’s love in your Heart & be filled with His Peace & Joy this Easter season…and Always!”
The FFRF adds this is not the only flyer promoting religion. Some others include statement s like: “On This Thanks Giving Day, May Your Home Be Filled With Loving Presence of Our Almighty God, May His Presence Be Felt In Your Home, And May His Gift Of Peace Be Present In Your Home. Reflect Upon His Blessings To You And Thank Him For What He Has Done For You.”
Another quotes a Bible verse directly, saying: “Isaiah 9:6–7 (“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God.”)”
FFRF says Principal McKeown “reportedly has also regularly allowed outside adults, likely members of the Gideons, to distribute bibles to students at the school’s doors.” This, according to the ACLU and the courts, is illegal.
Friendly Atheist calls it “a lot of Jesus for one public school,” and asks, what else has Principal McKeown “been getting away with up to this point?”
Image via Wikimedia