Florida School District Replaces Football Chaplains
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondents
MIAMI (Worthy News)– A spokesperson for Florida’s Orange County Public Schools has announced that their practice of having local ministers serve as volunteer chaplains for student teams has ended, according to Fox News.
“They cannot have chaplains or ministers — before or after games – leading prayer,” spokesperson Shari Bobinski told Fox. “Students are more than welcome to lead their own prayers, but our faculty and staff cannot be involved, nor can we bring in an outside chaplain.”
Further, teachers and coaches cannot participate during student-led prayers. Bible verses and biblical references are banned on both school property and on school clothing and songs with religious lyrics may not be used in school videos.
The district’s biblical ban comes after it received a legal threat from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
“It is inappropriate and unconstitutional for the district to offer a Christian minister unique access to befriend and proselytize student athletes,” FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel wrote the district.
As a result, the district decided to rename their chaplains “Life Coaches,” but they will not be permitted to get any inspiration from the Bible.
“That’s not me,” said former volunteer chaplain Troy Schmidt. “I don’t get any inspiration besides what I get in the Bible. My heroes come from the Bible and I think there is a lot of inspiration in there that can motivate a football player to get out on the field and play their best and be their best.”
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