Missouri School board discontinues prayers and hymns after complaint from atheist group

Prayers and religious hymns are no longer allowed in a school district in Tipton, Missouri, following a complaint from an atheist group.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to the Tipton R-VI School District last July complaining about the school board opening each meeting with a prayer. The board received another letter addressing the use of a hymn in the school's awards ceremony.

The school board started opening meetings with a prayer on Sept. 11, 2001, the day of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C.

The board was advised by a legal team to cease opening the meetings in this manner. The awards ceremony will also stop using the hymn "Blest Be the Tie That Binds." 

The school board evaluated other school practices to make sure that it is not violating the U.S. Constitution. A portrait of Jesus Christ displayed at the elementary school was removed following the evaluation.

Daniel Williams, Tipton R-VI superintendent, clarified that students can still pray but school employees are not allowed to lead the prayers. He added that the students and the community members are now more aware of their constitutional rights due to the complaint.

"A positive side of this is that students are learning more about their rights," Williams said. "We want to provide the same learning environment to all the students. The end result is for the students and the community members to step forward," he added.

Community members met at the town hall on Thursday to discuss the school district's decision. The attendees voiced their concern regarding the new rules.

"Without Christ there's no liberty, there's no United States, there's no nothing, and evil wins when good men do nothing," said one community member at the meeting.

The Wisconsin-based FFRF has successfully prevented schools from being involved in religious activities in other states.

Last month, a Baptist minister was banned from the premises of Harrisburg Middle School in Illinois after the FFRF sent a complaint to the school district. Earlier this month, a Bible club has been disbanded at the Brea Olinda Unified School in California following a complaint from the group.