Humanist association criticizes Bible study at Missouri public school

JOPLIN, Mo. – The American Humanist Association asked a public middle school in a large southwestern Missouri town to stop a Bible study that the organization claims is unconstitutional.

Last year, the same organization sued the Joplin School District over a field trip to a religiously affiliated sports complex and community center.

In a letter Tuesday to interim Superintendent Norm Ridder and North Middle School Principal Matt Harding, the American Humanist Association takes issue with a Bible study program that it says involves both teachers and outside clergy members leading students in prayer and scripture readings before school.

The letter claims that the program takes place in the school auditorium during breakfast, from about 8 to 8:20 a.m., on Thursdays; its leaders invite students into the auditorium to participate. Classes begin at the middle school level at 8:30 a.m.

Read more: http://www.daltondailycitizen.com/cnhi_network/humanist-association-criticizes-bible-study-at-missouri-public-school/article_54c3d1f7-b8e3-54a2-ae34-1cba6d6be4e5.html