Thanks to the efforts of a very vocal atheist group, prayer in one Massachusetts school district is now banned from its graduation ceremonies. The Freedom from Religion foundation launched its typical protest after Rev. John Tamilio III asked a “holy, loving, and most gracious God” to bless the graduating seniors of Canton High School at the school’s 2018 graduation ceremony. As per the usual complaint, the Freedom from Religion Foundation claimed such an expression violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution. Sadly, as is becoming the typical response, the local school system quickly capitulated to the atheist’s demands. Ashamedly, Canton Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Fischer-Mueller responded – in writing – to the atheistic bullies indicating that “steps have been taken to ensure that there will be no prayers or religious rituals” at any future school-sponsored events or graduation ceremonies.

An Often-Repeated Tactic  

Unfortunately, this tactic has proven effective numerous times over the years. In 2016, the Freedom from Religion foundation pressured the Hardin-Jefferson school district in Wisconsin to disband a high school student club led by Christian students. More recently, the Freedom from Religion foundation bullied Lake City High School in Michigan to suspend the practice of public prayer after members of the local school community assembled on the school’s football field to pray for the 4-year-old daughter of the football coach who had been hospitalized. As many schools are discovering the ardently anti-Christian Freedom from Religion Foundation has seemingly unlimited resources and quickly files lawsuits against schools that do not bend to their despicable demands.

Relevant Bible Passages

While shocking, this disturbing news should not surprise us at all. The Bible teaches that despite the best efforts of believers there will come a time when a great departure from the truth of God’s Word will occur. The New Testament refers to this event repeatedly. Paul mentions a coming “falling away” (KJV), or “rebellion” (2 Thessalonians 2:3 NIV). Paul further elaborates on this idea in 1 Timothy 4:1 when he notes that in the last days “some shall depart from the faith” (KJV). Moreover, Paul also warned that many people will be offended by Christianity (1 Corinthians 1:23) and will demonstrate their animosity by their actions (Philippians 3:18). Sadly, these verses come to mind when we hear of the lengths that the Freedom of religion foundation will go to in order to stop Christians from praying in – or even near – a school. Let us be in earnest prayer for this situation.

Pray: Pray that God would embolden Christian to stand against the efforts of the Freedom of Religion Foundation. Pray that God would raise up more Christian lawyers to defend those who are threatened by this despicable atheist group.