Missouri

FFRF ended the distribution of Gideons bibles in the Hannibal School District #60 in Missouri.

A district parent reported that, in February 2023, representatives of Gideons International were allowed to hand out bibles to all fifth-grade students in the district. The district reportedly allowed Gideons to approach elementary school students on school property during fifth grade recess in order to distribute bibles. FFRF’s complainant reported that a teacher pressured their fifth-grade child into accepting a bible, and that their child reluctantly took a bible despite initially refusing one.

“The district cannot allow its schools to be used as recruiting grounds for religious missions,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district.

FFRF was informed in August that Superintendent Susan Johnson had taken action the same month as the complaint, but had mistakenly not informed FFRF.