All articles tagged with #separation of church and state
Oklahoma's new state superintendent Lindel Fields has announced he will rescind the Bible-teaching mandate previously issued by his predecessor Ryan Walters, amid ongoing legal challenges and court orders, signaling a move away from religious directives in public schools.
A federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, citing concerns over the violation of separation of church and state and similar rulings against such laws in Louisiana and Arkansas.
A federal appellate court ruled that Louisiana's law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in public school classrooms is unconstitutional, affirming the separation of church and state and emphasizing that public schools should be inclusive of all students' faiths. Louisiana plans to appeal the decision, which is expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
A federal appellate court has ruled that Louisiana's law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms is unconstitutional, reinforcing the separation of church and state and emphasizing that public schools should be inclusive of students of all faiths. The decision, which is likely to be appealed, marks a significant legal victory for civil liberties groups and follows similar cases challenging religious displays in government spaces.
A federal appellate court in Louisiana ruled that a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in public school classrooms is unconstitutional, affirming the separation of church and state and protecting students of all faiths. The decision, which may be appealed to the US Supreme Court, marks a significant victory for civil liberties groups.
A federal appeals court has ruled that Louisiana's law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in public school classrooms is unconstitutional, citing violations of the First Amendment's separation of church and state, marking a significant victory for civil liberties groups and potentially setting the stage for Supreme Court review.
The Texas State Board of Education has approved a Bible-infused curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade, offering extra funding to schools that adopt it. The decision, passed by a narrow 8-7 vote, is part of a broader Republican effort to integrate Christian teachings into public education. Critics argue it violates the separation of church and state. The curriculum, which includes lessons from Genesis, Psalms, and the New Testament, will be available from August 2025, with schools receiving $40 per student for adopting it. Similar initiatives are underway in other Republican-led states.
The Texas state school board narrowly approved a Bible-based curriculum for K-5 schools, sparking debate over the separation of church and state. Supporters argue it respects First Amendment rights and enhances cultural literacy, while critics claim it promotes Christianity in public education and violates constitutional principles. The curriculum, developed by the Texas Education Agency, will be optional for districts and includes incentives for adoption. The decision aligns with similar moves in other GOP-led states and reflects broader conservative educational agendas.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Louisiana law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, citing it as unconstitutional under the First Amendment. The ruling is a victory for opponents who argue the law violates the separation of church and state. The state's attorney general plans to appeal the decision. The law, passed by a Republican-led legislature, is part of broader conservative efforts to integrate religion into public education.
Donald Trump expressed his support for displaying the Ten Commandments in schools following Louisiana's new law mandating such displays in public classrooms, a move likely to face legal challenges. This comes amid Trump's ongoing legal battles, including charges related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Critics argue the law violates the separation of church and state and could alienate students of diverse religious backgrounds.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has a history of defending Christian speech and activities in public schools. Prior to his role in Congress, Johnson worked as a senior attorney for Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal group focused on promoting evangelical Christian values. He took up several lawsuits aimed at challenging the separation of church and state, including cases involving prayer sessions, Christian songs, and teacher-led prayer groups in public schools. Critics argue that Johnson's background raises concerns about his stance on the First Amendment and the separation of church and state.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) argues that the notion of separation of church and state is a misnomer and that the founders intended for a vibrant expression of faith in the public square. He believes that religion is important for maintaining the democratic system and that everyone's expression of faith should be welcomed, although he clarifies that this does not mean establishing a national religion. Johnson's comments have sparked concern among Democrats for his conservative stance on issues such as abortion and gay rights.
Rights groups are opposing a new law in Texas that allows chaplains to work as counselors in public schools, claiming it is unconstitutional and violates religious freedom and the separation of church and state. The law, passed in May, states that school districts can employ chaplains instead of certified school counselors without any required training. Opponents argue that public schools should not endorse religion and that religious instruction is best left to religious institutions and families. Conservative lawmakers in Texas have previously attempted to pass controversial laws related to religion in schools.
The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board has approved a plan to create the nation's first religious charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which will be fully government-funded. The decision has sparked backlash and questions about the constitutionality of using taxpayer dollars to fund a religious school. Opponents argue it violates the separation between church and state, and legal action is being prepared. Supporters argue that charter school laws are different in each state and that a religious charter school is allowed under Oklahoma law. The school is not afraid of lawsuits and is preparing for a potential legal battle that may reach the US Supreme Court.
The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board in Oklahoma has approved the application by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma to establish the St Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School, which would be the first publicly-funded religious school in the US. The decision has been criticized by the state's attorney general and the nonprofit Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who argue that it violates the Oklahoma Constitution and the separation of church and state. Republican Governor Kevin Stitt has indicated his support for the school.