School Administrators Deny Bible Distribution

From the Libery Counsel

Naples, FL – Tomorrow is Religious Freedom Day, yet World Changers of Florida has been denied the right to distribute Bibles within the Collier County School District. Superintendent Dennis Thompson and Attorney Jon Fishbane have unreasonably refused to allow the group to set up tables offering free Bibles during non-instructional time. Liberty Counsel sent a demand letter on behalf of Jerry Rutherford, President of World Changers, asking for a reversal of the decision.

For the past two years Superintendent Thompson has granted World Changers of Florida access to District schools to make Bibles available during non-instructional time. Superintendent Thompson approved the distribution under carefully prescribed distribution procedures consistent with the law. However, this year the Superintendent had a change of heart. On November 10, 2008, Rutherford submitted his request for Religious Freedom Day but did not hear back from the District until January 7, 2009, when he was told that his request was denied. The delayed consideration and late decision denying Rutherford’s routine request raise the issues of unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and violation of the Establishment Clause.

The decision to deny World Changers access appears to be based solely upon the fact that the materials are religious in nature. Other community groups are routinely permitted to distribute materials in Collier County schools. Limiting access to the forum based on religious viewpoint violates the First Amendment.

Religious Freedom Day has been recognized for the last ten years under both Presidents Clinton and Bush. The presidents have called upon Americans to “observe this day through appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of worship.” January 16th commemorates the passage of Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom in 1786.