May 23, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A federal appeals court will hear arguments in the case of a Tennessee elementary school student who claimed he could not read and discuss Bible passages during recess.
The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati has set arguments for Feb. 29 in the case brought by Samuel and Tina Whitson on behalf of their son, Luke. A jury in Knoxville ruled in favor of Knox County Schools, turning away arguments that the rights of Luke Whitson and other Karns Elementary School students were violated.
The school stopped the practice of allowing Bible study on the school playground during recess in 2004.
The Whitsons were backed in the lawsuit by an Arizona-based Christian legal group called the Alliance Defense Fund.
