School's Showing of Religious-Themed Inspirational Film Draws Protest

Yesterday's Tuscaloosa, Alabama News reports that objections have been raised to the showing in high school classes in Tuscaloosa of the movie Facing the Giants. The film, made by the Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, is about a losing football team that begins to win after its players dedicate themselves to God. Americans United for Separation of Church and State (release) sent a letter (full text) contending that the showing of the film, which it says is aimed at proselytizing, violates the Establishment Clause. The film was shown to two Paul W. Bryant High School classes, but additional screenings were suspended, at least temporarily, after complaints were received.