Student Punished for 'God Bless America' Utterance

A Florida high school student has been disciplined because he finished the morning announcements by saying "God Bless America."

The student added the words, which weren't part of the approved script.

Todd Starnes, with Fox News, reported that two atheist students complained to the American Humanist Association, which then sent a letter to Yulee High School in Nassau County.

"It is inappropriate and unlawful for a public school to start the school day with an official statement over the intercom stating, 'God Bless America,' for such a statement affirms God-belief, validates a theistic worldview, and is invidious toward atheists and other nonbelievers," the AHA said in the letter.

School spokesperson Sharyl Wood said the principal talked to and disciplined the student.

"It wasn't part of the scripted morning announcements," Wood said. "The principal took the appropriate steps in speaking with the student and disciplining the student."