At Friday’s game the band wasn’t allowed to perform How Great Thou Art for their performance.
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“I believe Christianity right now is under persecution worldwide and it’s creeping more into this country”, said Captain Ken Chapmam, of the Salvation Army.
In 2013 a student sued the district over a series of Christian meetings that had been held on school property, the newspaper reported.
“There are no crosses in the show, there are no religious symbols in tag show, it’s music, it’s art. And our kids first amendment rights are being violated, they are being restricted”. Both events took place in 2014.
Judge Carlton Reeves issued a court order on July 10th.
“Defendants are permanently enjoined from including prayer, religious sermons or activities in any school sponsored event including but not limited to assemblies, graduations, award ceremonies, athletic events and any other school event”, Reeves wrote.
In the past, The district was fined $7,500 and ordered to stop all religious practices on campus.
As a result of the consent decree and Reeve’s order, the Rankin School District officials told that band that it couldn’t perform “How Great Thou Art” during the halftime show, as it would be a violation of the court order. It also stated the district will pay a $10,000 fine per violation if it violates the agreement in the future.
The district made the decision to ban the halftime show after learning the hymn was included in the performance.
Brandon High School played is playing Ocean Springs on Friday night at home, according to the school’s website.
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Director Tim Cagle said the board had been aware the band was working on the song since past year.
