Two victories for state-church separation in Illinois (December 17, 2019)

FFRF has secured two victories for state-church separation in the Maroa-Forsyth School District.

A concerned district parent contacted FFRF to report that a local religious ministry and New Life Pregnancy Center were teaching sex education at Maroa-Forsyth Middle School. New Life describes itself as ā€œa Christ-centered ministry committed to upholding the sanctity of human life by demonstrating the love of Christ.ā€

New Lifeā€™s ā€œSexsanityā€ curriculum is based on encouraging abstinence largely through shame and fear, rather than providing educational information.

FFRF sent a letter to President Lindsey Wise, urging the district to replace this sex education curriculum with an appropriate, comprehensive and science-based alternative. The district has assured FFRF that it ā€œwill not teach that curriculum again. Period.ā€

FFRF was later informed by the complainant of a trend of Maroa-Forsyth High School promoting religion on social media. The schoolā€™s attorney has committed to addressing all state-church issues with district leadership and will ensure these violations do not recur.

Freedom From Religion Foundation