The Push for Religion in Schools
Over the past year, Republican-led states have made a concerted push to add more aspects of religion in public schools.
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This has led to laws or mandates being passed that revolve around religious posters being hung up, as well as Bible lessons being taught in classes.
The Separation of Church and State
However, this has also brought many residents of these red states out to criticize these government moves publicly.
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Many school officials, parents, and church leaders have disapproved of these laws, as they believe it violates their constitutional rights and the separation of church and state.
Louisiana’s Ten Commandments Law
In many ways, Louisiana kicked off outrage around the country — and in the state — when they passed a law requiring every single public school classroom to have a poster of the Ten Commandments.
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Critics were quick to fight back against this law, as they stated that public schools that are funded by the people shouldn’t be pushing the Christian religion. However, Louisiana lawmakers disagreed.
Parents Sue Louisiana
The ACLU and religious freedom groups that represent Louisiana parents have already sued to overturn Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law.
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According to these cases, the “specific” version of the Ten Commandments that the state chose “runs afoul of the First Amendment’s prohibition against the government taking sides on questions of theological debate.”
Florida’s Chaplain Program
Louisiana isn’t alone in bringing a fight to its own people. Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has recently been in hot water over his law allowing religious chaplains to volunteer at public schools.
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These chaplains are supposed to help students and give them advice, acting as counselors. Parents have criticized this law, particularly as it appears that favoritism is already being given to chaplains of Christian religions.
School Boards Fight Back
Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, school boards have voted to not install a chaplain program at their public schools yet.
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These school districts have publicly revealed that they are worried about religious freedom lawsuits that parents and organizations have already threatened to file if this program is approved.
The Satanic Temple Enters the Picture
Plus, The Satanic Temple has also warned Florida school districts that if they approve this chaplain program, they will send their Satanic chaplains to volunteer at schools.
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In a meeting with the school board, Satanic Temple founder Lucien Greaves explained, “The reality is you’ll have to accommodate religious identities you may not agree with. You will end up with Satanist chaplains.”
Teaching From the Bible in Oklahoma
Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s state superintendent Ryan Walters issued a mandate to all public schools this summer that they would have to begin teaching from the Bible.
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According to the superintendent, the country was founded by Christians who used to Bible to make laws and form the country. Therefore, students must be taught the Bible.
Oklahoma Schools Refuse Mandate
Several large Oklahoma school districts have publicly stated that they will not follow this mandate, reassuring parents that they will not order their teachers to teach lessons from the Bible.
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These schools have argued that Walters lacks the legal authority to actually make them do this — though Walters disagrees and has threatened schools that don’t fall in line.
A Battle That Will Continue
This fight over religion in public school classrooms has represented an interesting turn in Republican-led states.
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In a major way, many residents of these states are refusing to back down. They don’t agree with their influential governors or state lawmakers who have pushed for religion in schools. As a result, many lawsuits have already been filed against these red states by their own residents.
Taking These Issues to the Supreme Court
If Republican-led states desire to, they could end up taking these court cases all the way to the Supreme Court, which is currently a conservative majority court.
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Therefore, this battle between red-state citizens and their own lawmakers may only be just beginning.