A story in today’s Daytona Beach (FL) News-Journal illustrates the fine lines between permissible and impermissible activities by religious groups in public schools. Some parents are upset by activities of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at four Flagler County schools this week. The group appeared at assemblies in each school offering presentations discouraging drug use and encouraging good decision making by students. The assemblies featured BMX bike stunts, skateboarding and magic tricks, and did not have religious content. However, at the assemblies the group gave out tickets and fliers inviting students to evening events at Flagler Palm Coast High School's gym, which the group had rented with funds from local churches. Some parents complained that they were not aware that the evening activities were going to be religious in nature.
Scott Kirschner, a pastor at Palm Coast’s Parkview Baptist Church, said that the Fellowship of Christian Athletes respected school district rules at the assemblies. He conceded, however, that the main goal of "The Freedom Experience," a national tour, is to introduce youths to Christ.
