The Louisiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union announced yesterday that it had filed yet another lawsuit against the Tangipahoa Parish School Board, this time to stop the Board from allowing the distribution of Gideon Bibles to students on school property during the school day. The suit was filed on behalf of a fifth grade student, identified only as Jane Roe, and her father. In the past 13 years, the ACLU has filed 5 other religious liberty lawsuits against the Tangipahoa Board. (See prior related posting.)
The complaint filed in federal court (full text) alleges that the student's teacher led the entire class out to the Gideons so they could each get a Bible, and that students were pressured by fear of being criticized or ridiculed into accepting a copy. The Associated Press, reporting on the lawsuit, quotes ACLU state director Joe Cook as saying that the teacher's actions disrespected parents rights to choose the religious tradition in which they wish to raise their children.
