Bossier parents to schools: Stop teaching Christianity to our kids

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Four parents have sued the Bossier Parish Schools for allegedly subjecting their children to unwanted and unconstitutional Christian messages and indoctrination.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Shreveport. Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed the lawsuit on behalf of the parents. The organization describes itself as a religious liberty watchdog group.

The lawsuit alleges widespread use of prayer on school property and during school events, in classrooms at all levels, at sporting events, at graduation ceremonies, during awards assemblies and at student government meetings. It also alleges that school officials openly proselytize students in Christianity.


At some Bossier Parish school graduation ceremonies, faculty or administrators delivered prayers from the podium through a public address system. The lawsuit mentions graduations at Airline, Benton, Bossier, Haughton, Parkway and Plain Dealing high schools.

One Bossier choir director said she won't allow the choir to perform in venues other than churches. School choir concerts include songs that are almost exclusively Christian worship songs.

A Kingston Elementary teacher required her students to memorize a Christian prayer and recite it before lunch.

A Legacy Elementary teacher developed a daily practice of asking her students what they wanted to pray for. The teacher then led the class in Christian prayer.

At Airline High, the health teacher told students about the importance of religion in her life. She used Christian-themed films to teach students about alcohol, drugs, dating violence and unsafe sex. She asked students their favorite Bible verse and asked an openly Muslim student to read aloud from the Bible.

A science teacher at Airline invited students to make a presentation on the "Creation point of view." She then directed the class in a reading of Genesis and supplemental material debunking various aspects of evolution.

A teacher told a child that Jesus was angry at those who did not attend church, and that non-Christians are bad people.

Bossier Parish Schools allowed representatives of local churches to encourage students to participate in religious activities and to distribute religious materials on campuses during the school day.