West Virginia bill would mandate schools to display 'In God We Trust'
By: Natalie Neysa Alund
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
West Virginia public schools may soon be required to display the national motto "In God We Trust" if a bill passed by the state Senate this week becomes law.
The bill, introduced by Republican Sen. Mike Azinger, passed Monday and is now heading to the state's House of Delegates.
If passed there, it heads to the governor's desk.
Azinger said he wants to give kids in schools something to look up to and let them know it's OK to "say God" in school.
"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. "Maybe they'll look up one day and say, 'In God We Trust' and know they can put their hope in God."
The bill calls for a "durable poster" or "framed copy" of the motto to be displayed "in a conspicuous place." Public colleges and universities are included in the bill, as well as K-12 schools.
Under the proposed law, the displays must be in every building and contain images of the U.S. and state flags. They cannot depict any other words, images or information. They must be either be donated or purchased from private donations.
Bill opposition
Critics including the state's American Civil Liberties Union oppose the bill because they say 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 the outlet.
"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."
States that passed similar laws
Mississippi was the first state to pass a law mandating "In God We Trust" be displayed in public schools back in 2001. Similar laws have been passed in states including Kentucky, Louisiana, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.
Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law making "In God We Trust" the official U.S. national motto July 30, 1956, two years after pushing to have the phrase "under God" inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance.
"It was adopted during a time of disunity in America, at a time that unity was needed," Azinger said Monday. "And I think that's where we are in America in many ways."
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Fuck these assholes.
Why so worked up? Do you live in West Virginia and does this ruling adversely affect you?
If it's OK to display a gay pride flag or a BLM banner in high school classrooms, what's the problem with a patriotic national motto....or even the Ten Commandments?
Was Ike wrong. You always have the option of ignoring decisions like this.
Worked up? Seems several of you are full of projection today.
How about no religion and no politics in schools...
Fine with me on religion, but the left has politicized the schools for decades now.
So has the right wing except what the right wing is doing is more detrimental.
Fine with religion? So if some Satanist wanted to set up a pentagram on the gym floor have have a prayer service I am sure that would be fine with you.
Both of these things mandate a religion that not everyone ascribes to. It is an idea purposefully rejected by our founders because it creates division where none should exsist.
EDIT: The original moto is, "out of many, one"
I already know what the republican response is. I want to see how far spread their talking points go.
it's an unconstitutional stunt by magatards to appease their thumper base.
Oh the horror!!!!!!!!
So this is the freak out of the day?
The acting like reps can do whatever they want and how dare people complain...
So the answer to my question is YES, this is the freak out of the day.
So yes, acting like you know when you don't.
So no comment about the actual article? Or should I come on every article you post on or post you make and call it a freak out.
So you missed my comments.
You come here and complain about the Repubs almost every day.
Nope, all void of any substance.
If they would stop doing stupid shit I wouldn't have to.
So you need them explained.
I guess you wouldn't freak out about a state mandating all schools display a tribute to Baphomet?
Or school mandated Salat (Salah?)?
Actually I wouldn't. Just like I'm not freaking out over "In God We Trust" being up there.
Another group of domininionists raise their ugly heads. Oh wait.. they have rebranded as Christian Nationalists now. I don't care what they call themselves they are still authoritarian douchbags.
no f'n thumper will be telling me and mine what to do...
"It was adopted during a time of disunity in America, at a time that unity was needed,"
Actually it had more to do with with raising a middle finger to the 'godless' USSR. Anyhoot, E Pluribus Unum, the goto for the Fathers has a much finer ring to it.
I want to practice voodoo in chemistry class...