A Texas high school is not backing down after coming under fire from an atheist organization after it was discovered White Oak High School principal Dan Noll has been reading daily Bible scriptures he refers to as the “Thought for the Day.”

Superintendent Michael Gilbert defended the school’s principal from the attack by the Freedom From Religion Foundation in a written statement and added that he would be praying for the group.

KLTV.com-Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, Texas | ETX News

Recently, I have been contacted by two concerned residents of White Oak ISD and legal counsel from the Freedom From Religion Foundation concerning the use of scripture in the “Thought for the Day” at the high school.

The residents were offended at the use of scripture, demanding that it be stopped and calling for disciplinary action against Mr. Noll. I am fully aware of the practice at the high school and will not pursue any action against our High School Principal or any other member of our faculty/staff concerning this issue.

The letter from the FFRF is not the first received by the district. They contacted us in the fall with concerns about the practices at our football games. I have responded in accordance with their stated concerns and we have moved on.

Let me be clear, this is an attempt to draw us into a contest of words for the sole purpose of giving the FFRF a large amount of free press/recognition that they and their very few members (1,200 in Texas) do not deserve. This group and others like it, are wanting us to provide them with negative quotes to use in the promotion of their agenda. We can and will make the adjustments needed to ensure our students experience a morally sound, positive character based education. There are a multitude of options to provide our students, faculty and staff the opportunity to express their First Amendment Rights as provided for in the United States Constitution. Let me also be clear that we have not (in my opinion) violated anyone’s rights and/or subjected anyone to undue stress. Bible studies and scriptures are allowed in schools. The requirement is that the material be presented in a neutral manner. It is my position that we met that standard with the morning announcements.

My recommended response to the FFRF is, “I’m sorry you feel that way. I will be praying for you and your staff daily.”

Finally, as a Christian Brother, it will not promote the values we hold so dear to assail those that disagree with the Gospel. We will state our case. We will make sure our rights are just as protected as anyone else that lives in this great country. We will continue to provide for all the needs of our students and we will do so while traveling the High Road. Don’t get drawn into a game of words that has no “winner”.

Please do not waste your time and effort on these few detractors.

The community has rallied around Noll in the past days and he is extremely grateful.

“Thank you for all the kinds words, love and support,” said Noll. “I love my students and I love the staff. I never doubt where the community stands because they will always come together.”
The school was thrust into the group’s crosshairs after an unnamed student recording the daily Bible reading and submitted them to an atheist blogger Hemant Mehta who said he contacted both Knoll and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, according to KETK.

The school was thrust into the group’s crosshairs after an unnamed student recording the daily Bible reading and submitted them to an atheist blogger Hemant Mehta who said he contacted both Knoll and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, according to KETK.

Former students told the station that the practice has been going on since the 70’s and has never been an issue.

The recordings of the Bible readings can be heard here.

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Carmine Sabia

Carmine Sabia Jr started his own professional wrestling business at age 18 and went on to become a real estate investor. Currently he is a pundit who covers political news and current events.

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