The Arkansas Society of Freethinkers announced today that it’s reached out to the Appignani Humanist Legal Center to address concerns over a planned field trip by Terry Elementary to take 1st and 2nd graders to see “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Agape Church.
In a notification to parents about the field trip, Terry said, “This production will expose your child to the amazing world of theater productions and enhance your child’s creative imagination in the area of dramatic arts. . . . This production does expose your child to Christianity through some of the songs and scenes. (If you prefer your child to not attend the program they may stay at school and be allowed to sit in another classroom. Please let your teacher know if your child will not be attending).”
Several parents were uncomfortable with their children attending, but were reluctant to have them singled out by not taking the field trip. They contacted the Freethinkers, who publicized the planned trip, which led to national media attention, much of it in the “War on Christmas” vein Fox News loves to push so much.
The Appignani Humanist Legal Center, the legal arm of the American Humanist Association, donated its time in crafting a letter to Terry Elementary and the LRSD.