Scrubbing Christianity: School District Redefines Chaplains

A Florida school district is redefining the role of chaplains in its public schools.

The move comes after the Freedom From Religion Foundation complained about pastors praying with students before and after highschool football games in Orange County.

The group said using pastors as chaplains amounts to illegal religious endorsement.

School officials said the chaplains now have to be called "life coaches" and they can no longer read from scripture or pray with students.

CBN News contacted the Orange County School District for a response.

"A recent memorandum has been issued by the Office of the General Counsel to clarify some issues raised about compliance with the law at one of Orange County's high schools," General Counsel Diego "Woody" Rodriguez said in a statement sent to CBN News.

"The memorandum was issued only after in-depth research and after further consultation with lawyers on both sides of the issues. The agreement among lawyers from both sides, as well as the General Counsel, is that there are a line of cases which set forth that student-led prayer is permissible, but that staff-led prayer, and the use of chaplains is not permissible in a public school setting," he continued.

"OCPS does not have the ability to create the law or provide different interpretations of Florida and federal cases that have previously been issued, challenged and upheld," he said. "OCPS is simply being tasked with following these state and federal decisions which restrict the involvement by staff members in religious activities."

Pastors involved said they are appalled at the school district's decision, with many saying it's a way of removing Christianity from public life.

Pastor Troy Schmidt, with First Baptist Church in Windermere, Florida, is one of those pastors. He is also a producer for The American Bible Challenge on the Game Show Network. He spoke with CBN News about the change. Click play to watch.