A state lawmaker in Alabama is in a public dispute with the Freedom From Religion Foundation over comments he made about the role of local churches in Alabama schools.

The FFRF, which advocates for separation of church and state, wrote a letter on Dec. 20 to Etowah County Schools urging them to stop “soliciting religious organizations to proselytize and attempt to convert its students in exchange for donations.”

Etowah County Schools had asked local churches to supply water and granola bars to middle- and high-school wrestlers. In exchange, the churches would be allowed to share a 15-minute “devotional” with the students.

“We would like to give the churches, who are able to donate, a chance to speak into the lives of the students on our team by sharing a short 15 minute devotional,” a letter from wrestling coaches at Southside High School said. “We are very excited about this opportunity again this year. We really enjoyed it last year.”

In response to FFRF’s letter to the school district, Greg Reed, a state senator from Jasper and the president pro tempore of the Alabama Senate, spoke out against the group.

“This week we are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Reed said in a statement to Yellowhammer News published Dec. 21. “To Him goes all the praise and all the glory. That should be our focus, and it should not be interrupted by out-of-state groups trying to push faith out of our lives and the lives of our children.”

The organization responded to Reed in a press release Thursday: “Senator Reed, your remarks are alarming and a breach of your oath to support the U.S. Constitution, which protects students from religious indoctrination by their public schools,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line said.

Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the foundation, added that Reed “should take a minute to read our godless Constitution and refresh himself on constitutional principles mandating that the government and its schools stay out of the religion business.”

“Our public schools exist to educate, not to indoctrinate in religion,” Gaylor said.

But on Friday, Reed told AL.com he’s maintaining his position.

“No matter how many out-of-state groups complain, I will never stop fighting for the people of Alabama and our values,” he said. “As a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, I pray that He will continue to work in the hearts of children everywhere.”