Theocracy Watch: Week of October 25, 2026
Oklahoma AG drops lawsuit after Ben Gamla Jewish charter school denial; FFRF report finds religious coercion in college athletics persists.
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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
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
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
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
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
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