A fight over school prayer is looming in Seminole County, Florida.
A photo surfaced showing Seminole High School football players kneeling in prayer while an injured teammate was tended to by medics during Friday night’s game.
Some claim the prayer was led by a team chaplain, and now a group is demanding school leaders put a stop to it.
A team chaplain allegedly led players in a prayer, according to a Facebook post from the school’s booster president, Patrick Austin.
“Seminole High School does not have a team chaplain,” said Mike Blasewitz with Seminole County Public Schools.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a cease and desist letter demanding the school refrain from having a volunteer team chaplain because it’s a constitutional violation.
“There is nothing to cease and desist because our behavior was within the guidelines in the first place,” Blasewitz said. “No adults in the photo, no adults participating, no adults leading it.”
Some parents said Freedom from Religion is overreacting.
“I think what they’re promoting is anti-religion of any kind,” said parent Carla Wright.
Students are allowed to engage in prayer on campus, but teachers and school workers are not allowed to participate in prayer involving students.
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