NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 17, 2009)--A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of students who accuse their Tennessee school district of unconstitutionally promoting Christianity claims that Cheatham County schools showed a pattern of endorsing religion that included the distribution of Gideon's Bibles in class, a teacher who has a cross on a classroom wall and sectarian prayers at school events.

An attorney for the plaintiffs says school officials "let Bible promoters present their particular versions of the Bible during class time where there is compulsory attendance."

School district representatives did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press.