First Grader Cut Off from Class Christmas Presentation, 'Not Allowed to Talk about the Bible in School'

The group Advocates For Faith & Freedom is claiming that a teacher at Helen Hunt-Jackson Elementary School in California displayed unwarranted antagonism toward first grader Brynn Williams when she spoke about her faith last month during a presentation about holiday traditions.

A press release from Advocates For Faith & Freedom stated that Williams was in mid presentation, speaking to her class about her family's Christmas tradition when her teacher suddenly stopped her and said that she was "not allowed to talk about the Bible in school."

In December 2013 the child's teacher gave the students a class assignment to find something at home that represents a family Christmas tradition, put it in the bag, bring it to school, and be prepared to share the family tradition. Williams brought in the Star of Bethlehem.

"Our Christmas tradition is to put a star on top of our tree. The star is named the Star of Bethlehem," Williams is quoted saying on faith-freedom.com. "The three kings followed the star to find baby Jesus, the Savior of the world."

The teacher reportedly stopped Williams and told her to sit down before finishing the rest of her speech, which was said to finish with the popular scripture verse John 3:16.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life," the verse declares.

The group goes on to claim that the teacher told the little girl to "Stop right there!' and take her seat. Williams while seated was then told in front of the class that she was not allowed to share Bible verses in class.

Advocates For Faith & Freedom sent a letter to the Temecula Valley Unified School District asking that educators stop "expressing disapproval or hostility toward religion or toward religious viewpoints expressed by students."

"The disapproval and hostility that Christian students have come to experience in our nation's public schools has become epidemic," said Robert Tyler, General Counsel for Advocates for Faith & Freedom.

The district provided a statement to TheBlaze saying, "The Temecula Valley Unified School District respects all students' rights under the Constitution and takes very seriously any allegation of discrimination," adding "Due to the fact that District officials are currently investigating the allegations, it would be inappropriate to provide further comment at this time."

Advocates for Faith & Freedom reported last week a similar story involving 6-year-old boy Isaiah Martinez, who claimed that a teacher in his California school told the boy "Jesus is not allowed in school" and then removed a story the child pinned to candy cane gifts he was going to distribute to his peers.