ACLU Defends 9-year-old Student's Right to Read Bible at Public School

Aimee Herd : Apr 9, 2014
Caitlin Burke – CBN News

"Tennessee public school students cannot be denied the right to engage in religious activities." –ACLU

(Tennessee)—A 9-year-old student received help from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently, when he was told he couldn't read his Bible during an after-school program.

Austin Grayson had reportedly pulled out his Bible and begun to read when a school teacher told him to put it away.

The little boy stood his ground, telling the teacher, "Free country, free religion."

His reply was seen as "disrespectful," said Austin's mother, Lisa Koepfgen, in the CBN News report.

The school informed Lisa that because the after-school program was funded by public money, her son would not be allowed to read any religious material.

That's when the ACLU took up Austin's cause, sending a letter to the Cannon County REACH after-school program, asking that Austin be allowed to read his Bible during free and activity times.

"Tennessee public school students cannot be denied the right to engage in religious activities," the ACLU's letter read in part.