Texas Law Forcing The Display Of ‘In God We Trust’ Signs In Schools Sparks New Controversy

As America keeps on scrutinizing religious influence on schools and in the lives of people, there has been a lot of opposition from different parties.

 

In Texas, for instance, Civil rights activists have voiced out that new laws forced on children by distributing “In God We Trust” posters in Texas schools is not politically right.

According to the law, it states that all elementary and secondary schools in the state should “display in a conspicuous place in each building of the school or institution a durable poster or framed copy of the United States’ national motto.” This law took effect last year.

The motto has a long history back to 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law officially declaring “In God We Trust” to be the nation’s official motto.

It is said to be a political motto lie in American history of the Civil War, where Union supporters who were mainly Christians made bold steps by showing their attachment to God to boost morale.

The motto has survived up to this 21st century and could even be seen on the American dollar bill. In Texas, the law wants the motto to be seen in schools. This doesn’t auger well for Advocates for civil rights. They believe the law is imposing religion on the children.

According to the Guardian, Sophie Ellman-Golan of Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ) said: “These posters demonstrate the more casual ways a state can impose religion on the public.

“Alone, they’re a basic violation of the separation of church and state. But in the broader context, it’s hard not to see them as part of the larger Christian nationalist project.”

It has been reported that the Republican Texas state senator Bryan Hughes who authored the “In God We Trust Act”, celebrated on Twitter, saying that the motto “asserts our collective trust in a sovereign God.”