ACLU backs student’s right to sing Christian song

FRENCHTOWN, N.J. — The American Civil Liberties Union filed a legal brief June 5 supporting an elementary school student’s right to express her religion by singing a pop-Christian song at a school talent show. Maryann and Robert Turton sued the district last year after the school struck their daughter’s act from its performance list. School officials said second-grader Olivia Turton could not sing the song “Awesome God” at the evening talent show because it was too religious for a school setting.

Catherine Lent, president of the Frenchtown (N.J.) Board of Education, last year said the school does not want to be viewed as being against religion.