The Blount County school board in Alabama is poised to allow the motto “In God We Trust,” which is printed on U.S. currency, to appear in its schools, following action by the state legislature last month approving the maxim for government buildings.
When the school board does act, it will have joined in a decades-long struggle about what role public expressions of religion should play in American society.
Since at least the Supreme Court decision Engel v. Vitale in 1962 that banned prayer in public schools, there has been a culture war over what role faith should play in society, with advocates on each side arguing religion does or does not belong in the “public square.”
Naturally, the Blount County school board expects legal challenges.
“You would think that something that passes the Legislature won’t be challenged in the courtroom but we all know that it can and probably will,” Green said.
Meanwhile, on Nov. 6, Alabama voters will decide on a referendum that will allow the display of the Ten Commandments in government buildings.
Those seeking greater public religious expression have no doubt been encouraged by President Donald Trump’s example.
“That is why the words ‘Praise be to God’ are etched atop the Washington Monument, and those same words are etched into the hearts of our people,” he said.
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