An atheist group is asking an Alabama high school to end its practice of including religion in its graduation events.

In a June 8 letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Opp City Schools were asked to "cease endorsing" religion in future graduation activities. The letter came after the group was contacted by a "concerned district community member," FFRF staff attorney Sam Grover wrote.

"Opp City Schools has a legal duty to remain neutral toward religion. It makes no difference how many students want religious speeches or wouldn't be offended by them at their graduation," Grover wrote. "A graduation should be a celebration for all students, not an exercise in alienating nonreligious students with a Christian message."

The FFRF questioned several elements of Opp High School's graduation, including a baccalaureate service held on May 21 at the school. At that event, school principal Aaron Hightower led students in a prayer, FFRF said. Later, at the high school's graduation, administrators scheduled a prayer that was delivered to the audience by a student and Hightower's speech to graduates included references to God and prayer.

According to a program from Opp High School, the baccalaureate service was held on a Saturday at 6 p.m. in the school's auditorium. Graduation was held on a Thursday at the school's football stadium. The event included an opening prayer delivered by the senior class vice-president and comments from Hightower.

"To avoid the perception of school sponsorship of religious practices, the district must immediately end all involvement with the baccalaureate," Grover wrote. "This means that no public-school employee can be involved in further hosting, organization, planning or coordination of the event."

As to the religious references and graduation prayer, FFRD said the "District abridges its duty to remain neutral and violates the Constitution."

"We ask that you cease sponsorship and hosting of future baccalaureate services occurring in the District, that you ensure that no prayers are scheduled for future high school graduation ceremonies or any other school-sponsored events occluding in the District and that you inform us in writing of the steps the District is taking to respect the right of conscience of each of its students," FFRF said in its letter.

Opp superintendent responds

Opp School Superintendent Michael Smithart said the school board has not had an opportunity to meet and discuss the letter. He said earlier reports that FFRF was suing the school district are false, however.

"We are in receipt of a letter regarding our activities. There is no mention in the letter about a possible lawsuit, as falsely reported in the media over the weekend (the fake news)," Smithart said.

"The letter has been turned over to our Board attorney for an appropriate response," he added.