President Donald Trump has released federal guidelines that reaffirm some Biden-era policies against school-sponsored prayers, highlight teachers’ freedom to say prayers that students can join, and dismiss the metaphor of a “wall of separation” as “legally unsound.” Trump promised new…
160 faith leaders urge Texas schools to reject forced prayer
State-organized school prayer undermines religious freedom by taking the responsibility for religious instruction from congregations and families and giving it to government instead, more than 160 faith leaders said in an open letter to all Texas school board members. The…
Panelists offer three takes on state of religious liberty today
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act is unconstitutional and opened the door to the death of religious liberty in America, political science professor Marci Hamilton told the Texas Tribune Festival Nov. 13. Hamilton, a lawyer with extensive experience in religious liberty…
Bring back religion? It never left
Dear President Trump, I have a hot flash for you: Religion never left America. What’s more, those of us who’ve practiced our respective religions faithfully for generations aren’t about to let you force your white “Christian” nationalism down the throats…
Trump says he’s bringing back prayer to schools
The president who famously said he’s never prayed to ask for God’s forgiveness claimed Sept. 8 he’s going to reinstitute prayer in public schools — a practice outlawed by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1962. Ever since the court’s ruling…
Texas senator fails history test while passing school prayer bill
After watching a little bit of the Texas Senate debating religion in schools today, I am convinced of two things. Texas senators need serious history reeducation Texas is where separation of church and state has gone to die Today I…
Ryan Walters orders all Oklahoma schoolchildren to pray for Trump
In Oklahoma, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is at it again. The man who has made controversial statements about Black history, who promotes a Christian nationalist agenda for curriculum and who demands teachers have Bibles in their classrooms…
Trump pledges to bring back prayer in schools and offer ‘school choice’ everywhere
Returning prayer to public schools and promoting “school choice” nationwide are two of 10 priorities to “rebuild” America’s education system announced by President-elect Donald Trump in a video Nov. 10. Trump’s 10-point plan echoes the ideals of Project 2025 —…
U.S. Department of Education issues guidance on religious expression in schools
“Although a government may not promote or favor religion or coerce the consciences of students, schools also may not discriminate against private religious expression by students, teachers or other employees,” according to new guidance issued by the U.S. Department of…
New York City mayor dismisses need for separation of church and state
New York City Mayor Eric Adams denied the need for separation of church and state in a speech at an interfaith breakfast Feb. 28. “Don’t tell me about no separation of church and state,” he said. “State is the body….
Only one-fourth of Republican parents say children should be taught the legacy of slavery still affects Black people today — and other findings from a new Pew survey
Parent eruptions at local school board meetings over the past couple of years are based in real and dramatic differences of opinion about what should be taught in America’s public schools, according to new data from Pew Research. For example,…
Football coach at center of Supreme Court case hasn’t shown up for the job the court ordered restored to him
Editor’s note: Joseph Kennedy’s publicist and attorney have objected to parts of this article. Their objections are outlined in a follow-up story. Remember the former high school assistant football coach who was so desirous of praying on the 50-yard line…