Election results point to busy year for debate over religious freedom in public schools

One of the underreported stories about the recent election outcome is the potential impact on freedom of religion in public schools. The flurry of legislation for and against religion in education is expected to intensify under President-elect Donald Trump, who has advocated First Amendment rights in schools, “The Epoch Times” reports.

The election result “actually gives religion, in general, a lot more standing in schools,” said Greg Kmetz, a Republican representative in the Montana state Legislature. “I feel there’s a momentum swing.”

Kmetz introduced two bills that were signed into law before the 2023–24 academic year. The first protects religious expression for students and teachers. The second allows students to bring the Bible or any other religious books to school for free reading periods or to use for self-selected reading requirements. Neither has been challenged.

Donate to support our journalism.

• More recently, the Texas Board of Education approved an optional statewide curriculum that includes using Bible stories for language arts and history lessons. The materials will be available to districts next year.
• In Oklahoma, a group of students, parents and activists filed a lawsuit in the state supreme court attempting to block the state’s plan to spend $3 million on Bibles, which would be incorporated into instruction for grades 5 through 12.
• There also is a legal challenge in Louisiana, where a circuit court has been asked to strike down a new state law that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public school classrooms.
• The Utah state Legislature this year passed a law allowing the Ten Commandments and the Magna Carta to be included in public school curricula for history and language arts instruction.

The list of other state laws pertaining to religion in schools that have passed since 2023 includes a Kentucky bill to protect First Amendment rights, allowing public school employees to engage in private religious expression. A bill concerning social studies electives in Missouri allows the teaching of the Bible and other religious books. And in Pennsylvania, legislation that prohibited religious garb or insignia on clothing was repealed. Some states passed laws allowing the Bible to be either read in school or as part of the curriculum. Similar

Nonprofit organizations working in public education, whether they advocate for freedom of speech or separation of church and state, expect a busy year ahead.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that the Bible can be used in public schools and studied for its influence on art, culture, literature and history,” said Matt Sharp, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom. “States should be applauded for seeking to provide their students with a comprehensive, well-rounded academic experience. And that includes educating students on the Bible and its undeniable impact on Western civilization and American history.”

–The Epoch Times News Service