AU Protests School's Fellowship of Christian Athletes Room

Americans United yesterday sent a letter (full text) to Hot Springs, Arkansas school officials protesting the recent construction of a special meeting room for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as an addition to Fountain Lake High School's football complex. According to an AU press release, the room was paid for by private funds, but its construction was the idea of school officials. Supporting the room, Assistant Coach Andi Kinsinger said: "This new building will make a statement and hopefully change the lives of many for His Glory.... FCA camp is where I came to know Christ; it provides a lot of opportunity for all." AU says the room amounts to an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. It has asked the school to remove from the room a plaque that displays a crucifix and reads "Fellowship of Christian Athletes meets Here!"; to stop referring to the room as the "FCA room"; and to permit other groups equal access to it.