In this Just the News article, Greg Piper reports that a Georgia school district is being sued after allegedly cutting ties with a Christian student ministry because its founder criticized a proposed property tax increase.
- The lawsuit alleges Vidalia City Schools retaliated against Rev. Gady Youmans and Sweet Onion Christian Learning Center after Youmans posted criticism of the district’s proposed property tax increase.
- Sweet Onion had provided “released-time” Bible instruction to Vidalia High School students for 11 years, operating with parental consent and private funding.
- Superintendent Sandy Reid allegedly told Youmans the district was ending the arrangement partly because of his Facebook posts about the “tax issue.”
- Board meeting minutes reportedly referenced concerns about Youmans criticizing public schools and making negative comments about the district and staff on social media.
- The district also cited vague parental concerns about Sweet Onion’s instruction reflecting a “particular interpretation of the Bible,” though Youmans disputes the relevance and scope of that claim.
- Alliance Defending Freedom filed the lawsuit, alleging First Amendment retaliation, viewpoint discrimination, compelled speech, free exercise violations, due process violations, and violations of Georgia’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
- The case raises an obvious free-speech problem: a private Christian ministry was allegedly punished not for misconduct, but for criticizing government spending and bureaucracy.
- Youmans is seeking an injunction allowing Sweet Onion to continue its religious instruction without restrictions based on his speech or religious exercise.
- He is also seeking nominal damages for alleged violations of his First and 14th Amendment rights, but not compensatory or punitive damages.
Read the full story: https://justthenews.com/nation/religion/school-district-kicks-out-christian-student-ministry-because-founder-opposes-tax
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