Civil Rights Leaders Slam New Texas Law Imposing Religion in Classrooms Thru Posters | Here's Why

Various civil rights organizations are expressing concern about the new Texas law enforcing classrooms across the state to require posting "In God We Trust" posters.

Last August 19, all Texas school districts received their respective religious posters and were informed of the enforcement of posting guidelines based on the new state law.

Civil Rights Leaders Slam New Texas' 'Religious' Law

State schools in Texas are required to put up donated posters with the motto "In God We Trust" in their classrooms.

The Guardian reported that civil rights advocates across the country had expressed concern over this unusual move, supported by a law that State Senator Bryan Hughes has pushed forward.

Jews for Racial & Economic Justice described the distribution of such posters and enforcement to be posted as a "more casual way" of imposing religion on the public.

"Alone, they're a basic violation of the separation of church and state. But in the broader context, it's hard not to see them as part of the larger Christian nationalist project," JREJ Strategic Communications director Sophie Ellman-Golan told the publication.

Golan also pointed out that laws like this one codify white Christian nationalist patriarchy at an "alarming" rate, even linking that abortion bans, gender-affirming care, and education censorship add to this agenda.

The Southlake Anti-Racism Coalition (SARC) echoed the same sentiment, stating, "SARC is disturbed by the precedent displaying these posters in every school will set and the chilling effect this blatant intrusion of religion in what should be a secular public institution will have on the student body, especially those who do not practice the dominant Christian faith."

Muslim Organization Supports Texas' 'In God We Trust' Act

Not all civil rights organizations blasted the new law. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) supported the Republican-headed initiative, noting that this move could allow students to learn more about their respective faiths.

"The notion of trusting God is common across faiths. Applied through that lens, the posters can foster discussions among Texas students about their various faiths and enhance understanding," CAIR spokesperson Corey Saylor said to the Guardian.

However, Saylor's statement, which seemingly left out Muslim children's safety concerns, contradicts a report their organization published last 2020.

According to the study, 48% of Muslim children studying in Dallas Forth-Worth experienced some type of bullying - nearly double the national average. Over 40% of students were uncomfortable engaging in class discussions about Islam and Muslims, and 1 out of 4 felt they were not welcome and respected in school.

Meanwhile, Republican State Senator Bryan Hughes, who co-authored the "In God We Trust" law, celebrated on Twitter the new feat, saying that it "asserts our collective trust in a sovereign God."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ivan Korrs

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