Judge Lets Cheerleaders Keep Bible Banners

The Kountze High School cheerleaders in Texas will be able to cheer on their teams with a little biblical inspiration at least through the end of this school year. A judge today said their Christian banners can stay until the matter is decided in a June lawsuit, reports the AP. The cheerleading squad creates huge banners with lines such as "If God is for us, who can be against us?" and an atheist group has sued. The cheerleaders have strong public backing from Gov. Rick Perry and state Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Competing quotes:

• "The Constitution has never demanded that students check their religious beliefs at the schoolhouse door," Abbott said after the ruling. "Students' ability to express their religious views adds to the diversity of thought that has made this country so strong."
• "If the majority of the cheerleaders were atheists, would a court support their `right' to hold up a banner insulting Christianity or all believers?" asked the Freedom From Religion Foundation. "The district has every right to simply prohibit all run-through and on-field banners."

(More cheerleaders stories.)