Throughout the American South, efforts to infuse religion into public education are gaining momentum. Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana are taking charge in their plans to include the Bible and other Christian-related mandates in public schools. But as a legal and social issue, many are debating the constitutionality of such efforts.
In Louisiana, a law requiring classrooms to display the Ten Commandments was recently blocked by a judge for being unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles of Baton Rouge called the law “overtly religious” and isolating to non-Christian students.
While Louisiana’s law may be temporarily defeated, efforts are continuing in nearby Oklahoma and Texas. Oklahoma state superintendent Ryan Walters garnered headlines recently with his public announcements of a new religious liberty and patriotism office and a video encouraging students to pray for President-elect Donald Trump…