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West Virginia Senate passes bill requiring schools to display 'In God We Trust' in every building [1]

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Date: 2023-01-31  

“We know there’s a lot of kids that have problems at home, tough times at home that we don’t know anything about,” Azinger said, speaking on the Senate floor on Monday. “Maybe they’ll look up one day and say, ‘In God We Trust’ and know they can put their hope in God.”

According to the bill, “a public elementary or secondary school or a state institution of higher education must 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, “In God We Trust”, if the poster or framed copy meets the requirements.” According to WTRF, the requirements are that the poster or framed copy be donated or purchased from private donations made available to the school or institution. The copy must also contain the U.S. flag centered under the national motto and a representation of the state flag. It is not allowed to depict any words, images, or other information other than those three.

Under the proposed law, not only are public schools K-12 included but public colleges and universities, as well.

Of course, the bill has faced opposition. Advocates including the American Civil Liberties Union argued that the bill should not be passed because government and religion should be separated, ABC 13 News reported.

"We know this is something that's easy for folks to vote for. We know it's something that they'll get attacked for voting against," ACLU Advocacy Director Eli Baumwell told ABC News.

"We understand that it's the national motto, but it's also something that makes a lot of people who are not religious feel very uncomfortable."

West Virginia is not alone though; similar laws have been passed in Mississippi, Texas, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Dakota, Utah, and Virginia. According to the Associated Press, in 2001 Mississippi was the first state to pass a law mandating “In God We Trust” be displayed in public schools.

Azinger used this and the fact that a similar law was passed federally decades ago to argue that West Virginia should implement his bill into law.

"It was adopted during a time of disunity in America, at a time that unity was needed," Azinger said Monday regarding the 1956 law. "And I think that's where we are in America in many ways."

According to the AP, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law making “In God We Trust” the official U.S. national motto on July 30, 1956. The law was signed two years after the push to have the phrase “under God” inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance.

After its initial passage on Monday, the bill's next step is heading to the West Virginia House of Delegates for consideration. If it passes there, it will go to the governor for final approval before becoming law.

It’s interesting how quick GOP officials are to push aspects of religion they follow while denying those they disagree with. Several states that push for children to say “under God” and stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in schools disregard non-Christian practices, and look down on those who wish to wear religious articles of clothing like the turban, kippa, or hijab.

Freedom of religion is a fundamental right and the government should not be able to influence how anyone, especially children, should view it. While schools should accept different religions and beliefs, they do not have the jurisdiction to dictate how one goes about their religious practice or whether one should believe in God. Religion and government should be separated.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/1/31/2150327/-West-Virginia-Senate-passes-bill-requiring-schools-to-display-In-God-We-Trust-in-every-building

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