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South Carolina wrestling prayers silenced (June 7, 2017)

A high school in Honea Path, S.C., has been reminded of its obligation to stay secular after it received a warning from FFRF over an unlawful prayer delivered to the school's wrestling team this past spring.

FFRF was informed that a local pastor was called to lead a prayer at a Belton-Honea Path High School awards event for the school's wrestling team. The pastor called upon Jesus Christ several times throughout the prayer, explicitly undermining the public school's duty to remain secular on matters regarding religion.

FFRF sent a letter on June 2 requesting that the school address and correct the violation. The school district superintendent, Richard Rosenberger, responded on June 7, informing FFRF that the Belton-Honea Path High School principal and athletic director were made aware of the constitutional breach. Rosenberger also informed FFRF that school district faculty would be given a legal briefing on religion in schools.