A federal judge has awarded $150,000 to a former Chicago Public Schools student who alleged her religious rights were violated by a mandatory Transcendental Meditation program. The student, a Christian, claimed the program included “Hinduistic rituals” that conflicted with her faith, raising constitutional concerns about the separation of religion and public education, writes chicago.suntimes.com.
A former CPS student awarded $150,000 over religious freedom lawsuit tied to a meditation program deemed “Hinduistic.”
Mariyah Green, a Christian, expressed feelings of being “alone and angry” after her objections to the program were dismissed and she wasn’t given a choice to opt-out, according to the lawsuit.
A federal judge has granted $150,000 in damages and legal fees to Mariyah Green, who alleged her constitutional religious rights were violated when she was required to participate in the Quiet Time meditation program at Bogan High School, despite her Christian beliefs.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly ruled in favor of Green, who described feeling pressured to join activities she claimed included “Hinduistic rituals” incompatible with her faith.
John Mauck, Green’s attorney, criticized the program as a “thinly veiled Hinduistic religious practice,” claiming it included acts of reverence toward Hindu deities. “Mariyah Green’s Christian devotion makes such worship unthinkable,” Mauck said.
Green said she believed participation was mandatory due to its impact on grades, which she feared might affect her spot on the school’s basketball team—a key reason she had transferred to the school.
A CPS spokesperson stated the Quiet Time program was removed in 2020, maintaining it did not infringe on students’ constitutional rights. The judge’s decision stemmed from a “voluntary resolution” between the parties, akin to a settlement, with CPS and the David Lynch Foundation each paying $75,000. Both entities were named in the lawsuit, but neither admitted liability, and there was no judicial finding of wrongdoing.
The meditation program, according to the foundation’s website, aimed to alleviate stress and promote academic success, including higher graduation rates and fewer suspensions. However, the lawsuit described required participation in a ritual called “Puja,” where students unknowingly recited Sanskrit chants invoking Hindu deities.
Green claimed she discovered the religious aspects of the program and informed other students and staff. When teachers reminded her to meditate, she reportedly questioned why students were not instead engaged in learning.
Graduating in 2020, Green stated she felt marginalized for her beliefs. Her attorney called the program “a severe infringement of her religious rights,” thanking the court for upholding her concerns.
“This case highlights critical Constitutional principles,” Mauck said. “Mariyah Green’s voice has been heard, her rights affirmed, and accountability established.”