Florida School District Replaces Chaplains With ‘Life Coaches’ Following Atheist Complaint

ChristianNews.net | August 31, 2014

A Florida school district has decided to replace its use of local pastors as high school football chaplains and replace with the position with life coaches following a complaint from a prominent atheist organization.

The Madison, Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to the Orange County Public School District’s attorney this past March, stating that its use of pastors as chaplains amounts to “illegal religious activity.”

“It is inappropriate and unconstitutional for the district to offer a Christian minister unique access to befriend and proselytize student athletes,” the letter states, referring to reports that Todd Lamphere, pastor of The Venue Church in Apopka, Florida, has been serving as chaplain of the Apopka High School football team. “Accordingly, public high school football teams cannot appoint or employ a chaplain, seek out a spiritual leader for the team, or agree to have a volunteer chaplain, because public schools may not advance or promote religion.”

Source: http://christiannews.net/2014/08/31/florida-school-district-replaces-chaplains-with-life-coaches-following-atheist-complaint/