Spelling Bees are a time to celebrate learning and to showcase the talents of young students across the country. The National Spelling Bee is meant to be a place of learning and the students there are a reflection of our diversity as a nation. So when, this past week, a student by the name of Kavya Shivashankar of Olathe, Kansas had to spell 'Laodicean' in order to win, we were concerned. As it turns out, Laodicean indeed is a sectarian word, alluding to the Church of Laodicea in the Book of Relevation.

"This is beyond outrageous," said one concerned citizen. "I knew the Religious Right was trying to get into our public schools by teaching flat earthism and Christianity, but this is just too much for me to stand. How dare they force that poor child to have to spell a word that is religious in nature. Religion should have no part in spelling."

Americans United for Separation of Church and State shall file suit against the Scripps National Spelling Bee for its unconstitutional endorsement of religion. Although the SNSB company is privately owned, it closely associates with public schools. Public schools should be places of learning, not indoctrination.

"Now we have no problem with people using words like 'Bible', 'Jesus', and 'Laodicean' in their own homes or of their own volition. But to put it in a national publicly supported program with strong ties to government funds troubles us greatly. After all, we support democracy, not theocracy," remarked one AU member.

The suit should come any time now, whenever the AU can get some angry atheists or misguided religious believers to support their cause. If successful, it is AU's hope that in future Spelling Bees either no religious words will be used or words representing every faith should be allowed instead.

"The close proximity of government to this sectarian practice should not be acceptable," said an AU member. "Either the government divest itself from this program or the program should learn to be more inclusive."