The United States was founded on the key principles of the freedom of religion — which also includes the freedom to not have others’ religions shoved down your throat — and the freedom of speech. And yet, these constitutionally protected rights are being eroded by conservative politicians who seek to promote and push their religion (almost always Christianity) in public schools — all with taxpayer dollars, of course.
In June, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R) signed House Bill 71 into law. The law requires all classrooms in schools that receive state funding, from kindergarten to the university level, to prominently display a poster of the Ten Commandments.
Just one week later, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters (R) ordered all schools to teach Bible lessons from the fifth to the 12th grade. Walters, an ally of former President Donald Trump, sought to purchase 55,000 Bibles that met specifications matching with the Trump-endorsed “God Bless the USA Bible.” Following immense backlash, the specifications were loosened, but the directive remains.
Both of these are examples of a concerted effort by Republicans and Christian nationalists to blur the lines between church and state to teach Christian values, which they conflate with American values. Except, these efforts are blatantly unconstitutional.
The Establishment Clause, a key component of the separation of church and state doctrine which extends to public schools, has long been upheld by the courts in numerous cases like Everson v. Board of Education (1947) and Abington School District v. Schempp (1963). The dismantlement of the separation of church and state is happening in real-time and the consequences are dire.
The U.S. is a diverse and multicultural nation, promoting and essentially glorifying one religion completely goes against that. Americans’ religious beliefs are not a monolith, as evidenced by the 28% of people who are not affiliated with any religion and the 8% of people who identify with something other than Christianity, according to the Pew Research Center. Only teaching Christianity will make those who are not Christians feel excluded and will not expose anyone to other religions.
Proponents of Louisiana H.B. 71 say that having the Ten Commandments in schools will instill good morals in students and serve as a historical lesson. Yet, who’s to say that the Ten Commandments are the absolute “good morals” that all must follow? Why should everyone be subjected to having the beliefs of others shoved in their faces?
The simple answer is that this should not be happening. It’s plain and simple, laid out in the law, religion has no place in public schools.
