Outraged parents in Alabama convinced a skittish school superintendent to rethink his ban of Amazing Grace at upcoming halftime football shows this fall.
After a single complaint the Holtville High School band was told it could not perform “Amazing Grace” during halftime shows for the upcoming football season.
The Elmore County Board of Education said legal counsel recommended that the religious-themed song be pulled from the band’s repertoire following one complaint.
Superintendent Dr. Andre’ Harrison put a statement on the school’s website that said, “Our Constitution prohibits us from promoting religion in our educational programs and activities. While we understand the feelings of the parents who are unhappy about the decision, we have an obligation to comply with the law.”
A flood of phone calls from upset parents apparently convinced the good educator that maybe the playing of the iconic song was not a violation of the constitution after all.
Alabama-based Foundation for Moral Law President Kayla Moore spoke out against the school board’s initial decision in a statement on the Christian Newswire. She said, “Singling out religious music for censorship is not religious neutrality, it is religious hostility. Neither our Constitution nor our cultural history requires this.”
School officials didn’t say who issued the complaint, but it appeared to have come by telephone on three separate calls.