Religion in Schools Makes a Comeback in Some States, Shunned in Others

The Epoch Times Header

Bolstered by the 2024 election, proponents of Judeo-Christian context in school curricula expect more movement next year.

In Pennsylvania public schools, employees can wear religious clothing, but the words โ€œIn God We Trustโ€ are forbidden on walls, doors, and desks.

Likewise, Americaโ€™s motto and the Ten Commandments are prohibited on public school property in West Virginia, and teachers in the Mountain State can only respond to questions about how the universe and life came to exist if the answers are scientific theories and not religious.

The Nebraska State Legislature defeated a bill that would have allowed students to take elective courses on religion in classes held outside of school grounds.

Indiana, by contrast, passed a law directing school principals to accommodate periods of off-campus religious instruction.

And in Washington, D.C., thereโ€™s pending legislation for a โ€œcollective community of faithโ€ curriculum that states Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and other religions helped shape American history.

Those are just a handful of bills regarding religion in school that states have debated within the past two years. 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.

Wins for Religious Expression

The recent election outcome โ€œactually gives religion, in general, a lot more standing in schools,โ€ Greg Kmetz, a Republican representative in the Montana state Legislature, told The Epoch Times. โ€œI feel thereโ€™s a momentum swing.โ€

Kmetz introduced two bills that were signed into law before the 2023โ€“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.

He drafted the laws after learning that a high school student privately sought moral guidance from a teacher. Kmetz applauded the teacher for helping a child but also feared that there would be no protection in place if any person or organization accused school employees of violating the separation of church and state provisions.

Byย Aaron Gifford

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting โ€“ period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Beyond the Trump-Musk fallout?

We are witnessing an unprecedented, unhinged Democrat effort to use lawfare, big Democrat donors, street theater, congressional disruptions, potty-mouth videos, the administrative state, the legacy media, and discredited pollsters to stop the Trump agenda.

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenlandโ€™s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

How a Chinese Government Statistician Was Forced to Report Fake Data

Chinese local govt employee produced a non-authorized report on bees and was visited by police and threatened with being sent to a mental hospital.

News

Supreme Court Sides With DOGE in Social Security, Records Cases

The Supreme Court handed DOGE two big wins late on June 6 in its effort to reduce the size of the federal government.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Returns to US to Face Criminal Charges

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, is on his way back to the US, where he will face criminal charges for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants.

White House Adviser Gives Update on DOGEโ€™s Future Amid Muskโ€“Trump Spat

A top White House adviser said DOGEโ€™s work will likely continue amid a spat between its former chief, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Dismantling of Education Department

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to allow it to resume dismantling U.S. Dept of Education, following a lower courtโ€™s previous order halting process.

FTC Warns of Rising Student Loan Scams, Says Fraudsters Took Millions From Borrowers

FTC is warning borrowers to steer clear of student loan debt-relief scams, after shutting down group of companies that allegedly charged millions in illegal fees and left customers worse off.

Walmartโ€™s Drone Delivery Coming to 5 More US Cities

Walmart is set to launch its drone delivery service in five more U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa, the company.

Court Orders Trump Administration to Restore AmeriCorps Funding to States

Federal court ordered Trump admin to restore AmeriCorps funding to states. The ruling comes as part of a lawsuit filed by 24 states and DC.

Tax Deductions You Can Take Without Itemizing

Itโ€™s not always beneficial to itemize. With IRSโ€™s current standard deduction for 2025 most Americans who canโ€™t itemize go with standard deduction.
spot_img

Related Articles