Florida elementary school disbands Christian club after complaint from anti-religion group

An elementary school in Hamilton County, Florida has disbanded its only Christian club following pressure from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).

The Wisconsin-based anti-religion organization took issue with reports that a handful of students had formed a Christian-affiliated club at Hamilton Elementary.

“Students have the First Amendment right to be free from religious indoctrination in their public schools,” complained Sammi Lawrence, a legal fellow with FFRF, in a March 29 email to the superintendent. “While the Equal Access Act protects students’ right to form religious clubs in secondary schools, it does not apply to elementary schools.”

Lawrence went on to claim that elementary students are “too young to truly run a club entirely on their own initiative” and the Establishment Clause of the Constitution blocks school employees from “organizing or leading a religious club for students.” 

Notably, the FFRF is currently arguing a lawsuit on behalf of the Satanic Temple based on claims that a Tennessee elementary school discriminated against the group by thwarting its own after school club. 

In a response letter sent by the Douglas and Douglas Law Firm, the Hamilton County School District acquiesced to the FFRF’s criticisms. 

“In an effort to avoid any perception that such a gathering on the campus of Hamilton Elementary is being organized, promoted or endorsed by the District or its employees, the club has been dispersed,” the letter reads.  

The club, a chapter of the North Central Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes formed in January 2024, had the goal of providing students “a consistent small group environment in the sports community where the gospel is made known and lived out.” 

Though the FFRF has been satisfied, religious liberty stakeholders have criticized the district’s decision to cancel the club. 

“Banning students from having a religious club at a school while permitting other, secular clubs is a travesty that teaches children their faith is unwelcome and must be hidden,” explained Justin Butterfield, senior counsel for the First Liberty Institute, in a statement. 

“The Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that students’ religious viewpoints are protected by the First Amendment and that students do not give up their free speech rights while at school—including elementary schools,” Butterfield continued. 

“When groups like FFRF pressure schools to ban religious student clubs like FCA while permitting secular clubs, those groups are pressuring schools to break the law.”