An advocacy group claims a Florida reading contest involving the classic novel and upcoming film "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" violates the role of religion in the classroom.

Attorneys for The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), however, say they will support in court any school threatened by the claim free of charge.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AUSCS) group has demanded Gov. Jeb Bush's statewide contest stop using C.S. Lewis' Christian allegory as the only book for the contest.

"We are not advocating censorship and we are not asking the book to be removed from the contest," said Robert Boston, AUSCS's assistant director of communications. "But we are asking that the contest be expanded and that other books be added to the list. Some students may not feel comfortable reading a Christian allegory."

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The organization sent a letter to Gov. Bush claiming that the inclusion of the book violates the idea of "religious neutrality" in schools.

The contest flyer

The letter also quotes political reporter John J. Miller, who stated the fundamental purpose of the Narnia stories is "to convey the reality of Christian truth and that learning about Aslan prepares [a child] to learn about Jesus." The novel's central character Aslan, who is a lion, is often seen as a symbol of Jesus Christ.

"If students want to read it, that's fine, but I don't think the state should be sponsoring a book based on religion if alternatives aren't given," Boston said.

However, ADF Senior Counsel Gary McCaleb said although Christian elements exist in the text and film, the contest aims to spark students' interest in reading as it coincides with the film release.

"This should not even be an issue," McCaleb said. "I don't understand why they are picking on schools and a contest that intend to help kids read. The story is about right and wrong, and should not raise religious conversion issues."

Published in 1950, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" chronicles the adventures of four children who are magically transported from the back of their wardrobe to Narnia, a frozen winterland of good and evil.

Gov. Bush's program, "Just Read, Florida!" is backed by President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act and launched the contest to promote literacy in grades 3-12 before the release of the film version on Dec. 9, 2005.

Students are encouraged to submit one essay, illustration or short video about the book and could win gift certificates or a book autographed by Gov. Bush and his wife Columba.

Boston, however, said the state is denying access to contest prizes for those students who choose not to read it, and who have no other books to choose from.

McCaleb argues that numerous books encouraged to be read in schools have religious undertones, including "The Lord of the Rings," "To Kill a Mockingbird," and "The Diary of Anne Frank."

"I am dumbfounded how they believe students shouldn't be reading this book in the contest," McCaleb said. "It violates freedom of speech."

Boston would not comment on whether the AUSCS will press charges against the state if the contest is not expanded.