Pastor Michael Knight of First Baptist Church in Kountze says he doesn't understand why someone would complain about religious banners at football games, and believes school administrators made a poor decision when the superintendent decided to ban these signs at school events.
Knight thinks the school district overreacted in its decision to ban signs.
"There's no effort by the students to establish a religion or to violate anyone's religion; there's no violation of separation of church and state," he said.
But Superintendent Kevin Weldon says he was told by the school's attorney, Tanner Hunt, that the banners do violate the separation of church and state.
Weldon said, "I'm proud of what they've done and what they stand for, but on the flip side I have to do legally what's advised of me to do by legal counsel."
He says the decision was based on a 2000 Supreme Court ruling. Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe states that student-led, student-initiated prayer at high school football games violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Weldon says many are starting to agree.
"I've spoken to several people on the phone, once I tell them this wasn't my personal decision, that this was given to me as a representative of the district, people are a little more understanding," he said.
But Knight still isn't convinced, saying, "Students should have the First Amendment free expression of their religious values and rights that do not intrude on the rights and values of others."
When asked if he thought a compromise could be reached, Weldon said that until he's given different legal advice, the ban will stand.
