Mother Sues Nashville Schools Claiming Religious Recruitment

The Nashville Tennessean reports today on a lawsuit brought by several plaintiffs, including a parent of a Nashville, Tennessee high school student. The suit against the Nashville Metro school system claims that the 3000-member Bethel World Outreach Center, with the consent of school administrators, is using the schools to actively solicit teenagers into BWOC's youth ministry. The suit alleges that a teacher recruited the plaintiff's daughter to the church. Later a church staff member told the teen that her faith was strong enough that she no longer needed to take her anti-depressive medication. This led to a suicide attempt by the teenager. A church spokesman expressed concern but defended the youth program.