School Will Now Allow Religious Ads In Yearbook

The Contra Costa (CA) Times reported yesterday that California's Liberty Union High School District has changed its policy and will not screen out religious references in paid ads in Liberty High School's yearbook. The change resulted from complaints by the Pacific Justice Institute on behalf of parents Jeff and Julie Renner whose ad congratulating their son on his upcoming graduation was changed by editors. The sentence "May God bless your life" was going to be run as "May He bless your life". After charges that this violated free speech rights, the school has decided to pay the publisher $8,000 to restore all edited ads to their original forms. The yearbook staff had removed any mention of God, Jesus Christ, holy or other religious words or passages. The staff also edits out any references in ads to violence, gangs, drugs and alcohol. Yearbook advisor, Lloyd Cornwell, however says that "the yearbook is not your soapbox to preach what you believe. It's a student decision." He says that next year, advertisers will be given a choice of six ads with messages in them, and at least one will have a spiritual tone.