Clemson Football Program Receives Complaint From Freedom From Religion Foundation

[HT: Greenville (S.C.) News]

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a complaint to Clemson University citing "constitutional concerns about how the public university's football program is entangled with religion."

According to their website the FFRF is a non-profit that works to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism, and to promote the constitutional principle of separation between church and state.

Their complaint zero's in on head coach Dabo Swinney who the FFRF says promoted a culture in the program that violates stipulations toward the separation of church and state.

Here's a copy of the complaint the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent to Clemson University.

James Trapp is mentioned several times in the FFRF complaint regarding Swinney's insisting that Trapp consider the position as teams official Chaplain.  According to the 2013 Clemson football media guide Trapp position is Volunteer Team Advisior.

There is other issues as far as distribution of Bibles and doing a number of things meant to promote Christianity.

Clemson University chief public affairs officer Cathy Sams said the review of the FFRF's letter is not complete but said Coach Swinney did not force religion on the players.

"I can't comment on any of the specifics in the letter or any of the specific concerns," Sams said. "No one is required to participate in any religious activities related to the football program. It's purely voluntary. Religion and faith is a big part of Coach Swinney's personal beliefs, but it is in no way required. There is no mandatory participation."