Michigan
FFRF has secured another victory, this time in the Pontiac School District in Pontiac, Mich., after the district was forcing prayer onto employees during mandatory meetings.
FFRF learned from a concerned district employee that the district had included a Christian prayer and gospel choir in the 2024 staff development convocation event. Multiple videos were sent from the complainant, one showing a gospel choir singing lyrics such as “Bless Me, Bless Me, Bless Me God Indeed, Death Has Been Defeated, He Is Our Victory.” Another video captures a prayer led from the stage that begins “we know we can’t do anything, at any time, until we pray.” The ensuing prayer contained references to God, “Our Lord,” and “Jesus the Christ, our lord and savior.” FFRF’s complainant reported feeling extremely uncomfortable with the religious messaging and at one point they were forced to leave the room.
“Including prayer and worship at district events, such as staff development, needlessly alienates employees, such as our complainant, who are members of minority religions or nonreligious,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district in September.
After months without response, the district’s attorney finally got in contact with FFRF via phone. Lawrence noted that the school’s attorney stated that the district will not have prayers at future employee meetings.
