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Georgia district investigates mass baptism on school football field

Carroll County school system is trying to determine what occurred before a football practice at Villa Rica High School in August.
Sept. 2, 2015

The Carroll County (Ga.) school district is investigating whether a mass baptism occurred on school grounds in violation of the separation of church and state.

WXIA-TV reports that the baptism occurred in August before a football practice at Villa Rica High School in Villa Rica, Ga. First Baptist Villa Rica posted a video of the ceremony on YouTube (it has since been removed).

A caption on the video read: "We had the privilege of baptizing a bunch of football players and a coach on the field of Villa Rica High School! We did this right before practice! Take a look and see how God is STILL in our schools!"

The Freedom from Religion Foundation called upon the district  to "immediately investigate and take action to ensure there will be no further illegal religious events" at the school.

The district released a statement that it "will take appropriate steps to ensure all state and federal laws are followed." 

Video from WXIA-TV:

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy, senior editor, has written for AS&U on a wide range of educational issues since 1999.

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