Religion in Public Schools Is Indoctrination Not Education

If passed, Missouri Senate Bill 594 would require students in all schools to see the words “I AM THE LORD thy God” followed by the Ten Commandments posted in every classroom.

Republican lawmakers in at least 15 states have introduced similar legislation. Louisiana has already adopted a state law requiring public schools to display a copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. In Oklahoma, the Board of Education requires public schools to incorporate the Bible into their curricula.

When I talk about the risk of the US becoming an authoritarian theocracy, I’m not exaggerating.

Missouri’s blatantly unconstitutional bill is sponsored by state Sen. Jamie Burger (R). It's part of a larger project that aims to “Christianize” not only public schools but the nation itself. That project, of course, is White Christian nationalism.

If you’re familiar with my work, you know that my faith is important to me. But religious instruction does not belong in our public school systems.

Public schools are not Sunday Schools. Here are 3 reasons why this bill is unconstitutional, exclusionary, and unnecessary:

1. The Constitution prohibits public schools from indoctrinating children in religion. As Rachel Laser, the President and CEO at Americans United for Separation of Church and State, has said: “Public schools may teach about religion. But they may not preach any religion.”

2. This creates a religiously coercive atmosphere that promotes Christianity and denigrates other faith traditions, which is likely to negatively impact some students, especially those who are religious minorities and sexual/gender minorities.

3. Christian employees and students aren't being discriminated against. No one is infringing on the rights of students, teachers, and staff to practice their religion.

As Americans, we must recognize White Christian nationalism as a profound threat to democracy and fight it on every front!

ID: Detail of the head and crown of the Statue of Liberty. Photo credit: welcome-to-times-square.com