Image Credit: Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Two boys were denied the right to start chapters of a Christian sports club by the Smith County Board of Education, requiring a legal nonprofit to step in and champion their constitutionally protected rights amid pressure from an anti-religion foundation.
Josh Gibbs is the father of two middle-and elementary-age sons who wish to create a place to connect with others in the Christian community while at school. After Gibbs’ oldest son enjoyed his participation in a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) group last year, both boys decided they would like to start and lead similar clubs at their respective schools so they can gather with classmates to pray, share stories, and hear devotionals from other community members.
But they have been met with continued resistance from the school board, which claims there is “a lot of grey area in the law concerning student-led religious clubs” and that the board is “meticulously” following all state in federal laws. The principal has reportedly put the request on hold, waiting as the board and school district attorney drag their feet in responding to the students’ requests.
In response, religious freedom legal non-profit First Liberty Institute has become involved in the matter, sending a letter to the Smith County Board of Education reminding the district it cannot exclude faith-based clubs if it allows other clubs to meet and citing several U.S. Supreme Court and other cases setting precedents.
First Liberty attorneys state, “Smith County School System risks running afoul of the First Amendment- and other state and federal laws- if it limits the rights of elementary or middle grade students to initiate and organize religious clubs… It is a fundamental principle of the First Amendment that students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate… That principle does not discriminate based on age or grade. The First Amendment’s protection of free exercise and free speech extends to elementary and middle grade students expressing their sincere religious beliefs through voluntary clubs.”
The school system’s refusal may partially be a result of pressure from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which has boasted of their recent successes in “minimizing or ending FCA’s reach” in several Kentucky and Tennessee schools, per a September 2025 FFRF publication.
The FFRF claims Fellowship of Christian Athletes, “often infiltrates public schools under the guise of coaching and teaching student athletes, when, in fact, they are there to proselytize to impressionable young minds.” In Tennessee, the FFRF contacted the Smith County School Board in March of 2025 after learning Gordonsville Elementary School and Defeated Elementary School were opening FCA chapters.
“Religious clubs for students at elementary schools cannot genuinely be student-initiated and student-run, and as such are unconstitutional,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district. Upon receipt of the letter, the district, under the direction of Attorney Robin C. Moore, assured FFRF it would be “monitoring policies and procedures to maintain compliance with the law.”
“The district is currently reviewing the matters raised in your letter to ensure that all school activities and practices align with constitutional and statutory requirements,” Moore wrote. “Smith County School System remains committed to upholding its obligations under the law while supporting a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students and families.”
It is to be seen if the district will take such decisive measures in response to First Liberty’s letter, though it is unlikely given the district settled a lawsuit with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in 2020 by promising to end practices creating a “religiously hostile environment” which included prayer during school events and Bible readings at the beginning of classes.
The ACLU sued on behalf of two families who objected to the district’s “unlawful activities” which subjected students to unwanted religious association like school-directed prayer during assemblies, distribution of Bibles to students, Bible verses posted in hallways and shared by staff, prayers over school loudspeakers at sporting events, coaches leading or participating in prayer with student athletes, and a mural of a cross with the words “In God We Trust” on the wall of a school athletic facility.
But First Liberty maintains that in their effort to appease those like the ACLU and FFRF who claim First Amendment violations, the district is instead trampling on those rights. “With legal precedents and laws affirming the religious liberty of students, it makes no sense that many are still being forced to fight to express their beliefs. We’re urging the school district to do what’s right. It’s a simple request: approve Josh’s sons request to form their club without any further delay. Allow the two students to get together with their peers to pray and encourage one another, the same as any other students who want to start a club,” the legal firm reiterated.
Tennessee Stands commented on the matter, calling on Tennesseans to contact the district and come alongside First Liberty in their effort to protect the religious rights of these children. “And here’s the double standard: Tennessee taxpayer dollars are being used to fund Muslim schools teaching Sharia-based instruction, yet Christian kids in a public school IN TENNESSEE can’t even meet to pray after class? Religious liberty isn’t complicated. Smith County needs to approve these clubs. Tennessee, you know what to do,” the X post read.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
