The planned mental health presentation by Scott Ritsema, the head of Belt of Truth Ministries, at Alpena Public School in Michigan has been cancelled due to his illness. The talk was scheduled for May as part of a series on student mental health and was titled “The Media Mind: Reclaiming Your Human Soul from the Digital Dark Age”. Although some parents and residents expressed concerns about the religious nature of the presentation, district officials maintained that it was non-religious and important in addressing the growing levels of anxiety and depression among students due to increased reliance on social media.
Lee Fitzpatrick, district spokesperson, stated that there is no rescheduled date for the event at this time, especially since the school year is coming to an end. However, legal experts confirmed that the presentation did not violate federal laws that require schools to maintain religious neutrality and inclusivity within an educational setting. Belt of Truth Ministry is described on its website as a fundamental Bible-believing faith-based community, with its founder Ritsema aiming to lead others to Jesus as a calling rather than a career.
