Religious Song Excluded From School Talent Show

Earlier this month, Frenchtown, New Jersey school officials refused to permit a second grader to sing "Awesome God" at her elementary school's talent show. The superintendent argued that the religious content of the song made it inappropriate. Over the weekend, the AP reported on a lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of the student by the Alliance Defense Fund. The suit charged that the girl's free speech and due process rights were infringed. The judge refused to issue a temporary restraining order to permit the girl to participate in the show that was held last Friday. However, the court said that the suit could continue. The student's attorney pointed out that one of the acts that would be in the show was based on the opening scene in Macbeth. He complained, "They've got a scene about boiling animals and witchcraft, but they won't allow a song about God."