TUSCUMBIA, AL (WAFF) -
A Tennessee Valley school proceeds to keep the song, "Silent Night" in their Christmas pageant despite one group's request to consider taking it out of the program.
A member of the legal department for the Americans United for Separation of Church and State said they are disappointed with the school's decision to keep, "Silent Night" in the program, despite being asked to have it removed due to the violation of separation of church and state.
The situation got started after someone in the community reported it to the group.
In response to those concerns the group asked the Trenholm Primary School to take, "Silent Night" out of their Christmas program.
In a letter the group stated the students should not perform the song due to its religious affiliation. They even included the possibility of a lawsuit if the school did nothing about it.
On Friday, the Superintendent of Tuscumbia City schools decided they would keep the song in the program. Dr. Walters said according to the school board's attorney the use of the song did not violate anyone's rights.
Still the group says singing the song is wrong and could potentially cause other issues within the school.
"It puts children who aren't Christian who don't share the religious beliefs that are expressed by the song in a highly uncomfortable position either they have to sing a song that reflects the religious beliefs that are different from their own beliefs or they have to opt out in which case they stand out and other kids may think they're not believers or not Christian and might treat them differently," said Alex Luchenitser, Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
The school did perform "Silent Night" Monday night and plan to do so Tuesday night.
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