An Atheist Family Sues an Oklahoma Town for Violating Separation of Church and State

An atheist family in Oklahoma is suing Hardesty, Okla. for violating separation of church and state.

The Smalkowski family, who moved into Oklahoma three years ago, are atheists. This lawsuit revolves around their eldest daughter, Nicole Smalkowski.

Nicole, who is an athlete, was looking forward to being an active figure in sports at her local high school. Things were going well, until basketball season began. Nicole mentioned that after the first basketball game, the girls gathered to recite the Lord's Prayer. Also adding that even the opposite team joined, and the school officials bowed their heads.

"I didn't think they had religion in sports. But when it came to basketball they would pray before and after practices. They would pray during games. And you know, praying was a tradition for them and that is what they said," Nicole said. "You could see that all of the teachers that work at the school, the administration had their heads bowed and were saying the Lord's Prayer with the kids. Coach has his head bowed. It's a thing that everyone does."

This was, needless to say, an uncomfortable situation for Nicole, who has been an atheist her entire life. In her household, religion was never mentioned as she grew up.

Nicole Smalkowski chose to not participate, as she felt it was disrespectful to her and them as well. Once she revealed to her peers that she was an atheist, the children began to treat her differently. She received labels such as devil worshiper, and would have to enure laughing and stares as she walked down the halls. Nicole also said that the teachers began to harass her as well, one teacher said to her face, “"This is a Christian country, and if you don't like it, get out."

Yet, according to Diane Summerford, a substitute teacher whom is married to one of the town's religious leaders, insists that there was no discrimination against Nicole.