Allegan Public Schools in Michigan has reversed course after initially attempting to censor two elementary school students for choosing to sing Christian worship songs at a school talent show, in what quickly escalated into a First Amendment showdown that captured national attention.
The controversy erupted at West Ward Elementary School, where two siblings were told by school officials that their song choices—“That’s Who I Praise” by Brandon Lake and “Up and Up” by Colton Dixon—were too religious for a public school setting. According to legal advocacy group First Liberty Institute, school staff claimed the lyrics violated the so-called separation of church and state and could offend others.
Teacher Penny Bishop reportedly told the students’ mother that one song was too “Christian-based” and would not be allowed. School principal Molly Carl went even further, confronting one of the students and stating, “Not everyone believes in God,” as if that somehow invalidates a child’s personal expression at a talent show.
Carl also objected to lyrics referencing Biblical liberation—in this case, the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt—because they included the line about no longer being “slaves.” The implications are clear: religious language was treated as controversial, and Christian students were told their beliefs needed to be diluted or altered to be palatable in a public school.
First Liberty Institute wasted no time. The group issued a legal warning to the school, asserting that banning students from performing religious songs was a direct violation of the First Amendment’s Free Speech and Free Exercise clauses. The school had until Friday at 3:00 p.m. to reverse its decision or face further legal action.
By Thursday afternoon, the school folded.
In a statement, Superintendent James Antoine admitted that staff had been “unfamiliar with the legal guidelines” and confirmed the students would be allowed to perform their worship songs in the upcoming May 23 talent show.
“Religious songs have been, and will continue to be, allowed at school events like talent shows,” Antoine wrote.
The district further promised to review internal communications and avoid similar mishandlings in the future.
This case is a textbook example of how religious expression in schools is often misunderstood, misrepresented, or outright censored—not due to legal boundaries, but because of institutional ignorance and ideological bias. Contrary to what some educators believe, the Constitution does not require religion to be scrubbed from student life. In fact, it protects students’ rights to express their beliefs, including through art and music.
First Liberty’s Kayla Toney praised the district’s reversal, calling it a “quick and commendable response” that acknowledged the students’ rights. The group is now urging the district to implement formal training for staff to avoid future violations.
“We are grateful the school recognized the students’ religious freedom,” Toney said. “But no student should ever be told their faith makes them unacceptable or unfit to participate.”
