> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://news.thedamshow.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Theocracy Watch: Week of October 25, 2026 - URL: https://news.thedamshow.com/theocracy-watch-week-of-october-25-2026/ - Published: 2026-10-25T08:00:07.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-25T08:00:07.000Z - Description: Oklahoma AG drops lawsuit after Ben Gamla Jewish charter school denial; FFRF report finds religious coercion in college athletics persists. - Author: Chris Mallard - Tags: Theocracy Watch *Theocracy Watch and The Millstone are free, always. If you want to help keep them going, you can become a paying member: *Supporter* $5/mo, *DAM Nation* $10/mo, or *Inner Circle* $25/mo (yearly plans get two months free). Every level gets the same newsletters; the difference is how big your name appears in the end credits of every DAM Show.* [***Become a member***](https://news.thedamshow.com/#/portal/signup)*.* --- This week: Oklahoma AG drops lawsuit over Jewish charter school, FFRF investigates religious pressure on college athletes, and new details emerge on the charter school denial. ## Oklahoma AG drops lawsuit over Jewish charter school The Oklahoma Attorney General has dropped a lawsuit after the Ben Gamla Jewish charter school was denied. The decision follows the state board's rejection of the school's application. The lawsuit had been part of a broader effort to challenge the denial of the charter school. The AG's office confirmed the dismissal, marking a resolution to the legal dispute. The case highlighted tensions between religious institutions and public education authorities in the state. The board's initial rejection was based on specific criteria regarding the school's governance and curriculum. The AG's decision to drop the lawsuit suggests a willingness to accept the board's ruling without further legal challenge. This outcome provides clarity for the Ben Gamla school and similar institutions seeking charter status in Oklahoma. Read more at [FFRF](https://ffrf.org/news/media/media-media/oklahoma-ag-drops-lawsuit-after-ben-gamla-jewish-charter-school-denied/?ref=news.thedamshow.com) ## FFRF report finds religious pressure in college athletics The Freedom From Religion Foundation released an updated edition of its "Pray to Play" report, exposing how religious coercion still permeates college athletics. A decade after the original investigation uncovered public universities using athletic department resources to support team chaplains, FFRF’s legal team revisited the story. After more than a year of research, including public records requests to more than 40 colleges and universities, they found that religious pressure persists. While direct taxpayer funding for team chaplains has diminished, coaches and athletic staff continue promoting Christianity through team activities, motivational materials, and other means. The report highlights the ongoing challenge of distinguishing between personal faith and religious pressure in the context of public education and sports. Read more at [FFRF](https://ffrf.org/news/releases/new-ffrf-investigation-college-athletes-pressured-to-pray-to-play/?ref=news.thedamshow.com) ## FFRF Action Fund manager to speak on Christian nationalism Mickey Dollens, Regional Governmental Affairs Manager for the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s Action Fund, will speak at the FreeFlo Conference on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027, in Altamonte Springs, Fla. Her presentation will examine efforts by Christian nationalists to expand religion’s influence in public schools. She will discuss Ten Commandments displays, school chaplain programs, and initiatives such as LifeWise Academy. The session will also explore the history of evangelical ministries using youth and amateur sports to proselytize. Dollens will raise questions about the boundaries between personal faith and religious pressure in athletics. The event will address how parents and advocates can recognize and respond to religious indoctrination, manipulation, and disinformation affecting students. This appearance underscores FFRF's ongoing work in monitoring and challenging the intersection of religion and government. Read more at [FFRF](https://ffrf.org/outreach/events/february-27-2027-ffrf-action-funds-mickey-dollens-to-speak-at-freeflo-conference-altamonte-springs-fla/?ref=news.thedamshow.com) ## Around the country **Seattle, Wash.:** Mark your calendar for FFRF’s 50th annual national convention at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. If you are an FFRF member, sign in to your account to manage your subscriptions. Donate to FFRF or learn more about us today. [FFRF](https://ffrf.org/outreach/events/conventions/2027-national-convention/?ref=news.thedamshow.com) **Milwaukee, Wis.:** The 2026 Freedom From Religion 49th Annual National Convention took place on October 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. View the photo gallery and watch for updates on convention awardees, videos, and speeches. [FFRF](https://ffrf.org/outreach/events/conventions/past-conventions/2026-national-convention-2/?ref=news.thedamshow.com) **See something we missed or got wrong?** Report it here: [send a tip or correction](mailto:chris@thedamshow.com?subject=Theocracy%20Watch%20tip%20or%20correction). ## Seen something where you live? Report religion being pushed into law, schools or government in your state. It stays anonymous unless you choose otherwise, and every report is checked before it goes on the map. [Report it on the map](https://thedamshow.com/theocracy-watch-map/?utm%5Fsource=newsletter&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=theocracy%5Fwatch%5Fissue) --- ## More from The DAM Show [![The Millstone: weekly church accountability newsletter](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fb/c8/fbc8bb3e-e392-443c-a0c7-a2564e8a45e1/content/images/2026/09/the-millstone-feature-v2.jpg)](https://news.thedamshow.com/#/portal/account/newsletters) **The Millstone**: clergy abuse and church accountability. The cases, the cover ups, and the courts, every week. [Add it to your subscription](https://news.thedamshow.com/#/portal/account/newsletters). --- ## Burn something holy | [![Father Flanigan’s Goat Scented Flesh Candle](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fb/c8/fbc8bb3e-e392-443c-a0c7-a2564e8a45e1/content/images/2026/09/goat-flesh-candle-product.jpg)](https://thedamshow-shop.fourthwall.com/products/father-flanigans-goat-scented-flesh-candle-atheist-gift?utm%5Fsource=millstone&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=millstone-2026-09-25) | Father Flanigan's Goat Scented Flesh CandleLeviticus says something has to burn. Goats are expensive. Light this instead. Made to order, $15.95.[Get the candle](https://thedamshow-shop.fourthwall.com/products/father-flanigans-goat-scented-flesh-candle-atheist-gift?utm%5Fsource=millstone&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=millstone-2026-09-25) | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Or browse the [full DAM Show merch store](https://thedamshow-shop.fourthwall.com/?ref=news.thedamshow.com). ## From the host | [![Anti-Theist book cover](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fb/c8/fbc8bb3e-e392-443c-a0c7-a2564e8a45e1/content/images/2026/09/anti-theist-cover.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1090270003?maas=maas%5Fadg%5FF7B0BD3094447E1CA243F045DF639305%5Fafap%5Fabs&ref%5F=aa%5Fmaas&tag=maas&ref=news.thedamshow.com) | Anti-Theist: Against ReligionChris Mallard takes on the treatment of women in religion, the absurdities of the ancient texts, and the charlatans who use scripture to prey on the vulnerable. Paperback and Kindle.[Get it on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1090270003?maas=maas%5Fadg%5FF7B0BD3094447E1CA243F045DF639305%5Fafap%5Fabs&ref%5F=aa%5Fmaas&tag=maas&ref=news.thedamshow.com) | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- [Watch The DAM Show live](https://www.youtube.com/@thedamshow?ref=news.thedamshow.com) *Weekday mornings, 9 to 11 AM Eastern, on YouTube.* How this is made: Theocracy Watch uses AI to help gather, sort, and draft stories from public news reports. 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