National Group Complains About Prayers At Bowie High

A YouTube video showing Bowie High School students and staff praying is drawing the ire of a national nonprofit foundation.

“It’s unacceptable,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Bowie High is a public high school in the El Paso Independent School District. The video, which was uploaded in 2010, shows the Bowie football team being led in a Christian prayer before a game.

Gaylor said that violates federal laws against such activity in public schools and the Freedom From Religious Foundation sent the El Paso Independent School District a three-page letter penned by an attorney demanding the practice stop immediately.

“That does not belong in the school day. It belongs at home, at church,” said Gaylor. “You shouldn’t have to worry about religion to play sports in high school. It embarrasses and violates the rights of students.”

The Foundation, which is based out of Wisconsin, works “to promote the constitutional principle of separation of state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism,” according ot its website.

Gaylor said the group found out about the YouTube video after getting a complaint from “someone” within the district.

Parents and students who spoke with ABC-7 outside Bowie said they did not mind the prayer. Some actually said they liked it. However, EPISD officials said it will not happen again.

EPISD sent the following statement: “After receiving the letter from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, we immediately addressed their concern with administration at Bowie High School. The principal and his staff met with all coaches to discuss state and federal laws governing prayer in the schools, and will abide by these laws.”