FFRF Action Fund: Keep proselytizing out of public schools
This article is from the FFRF Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) lobbying entity which reimburses FFRF for the space in Freethought Today. For more information about the FFRF Action Fund, go to ffrfaction.org.
The FFRF Action Fund is pleased to announce the introduction in three states (Vermont, Kansas and Oklahoma) of pioneering legislation to preserve the secular nature of our public schools.
The Action Fund is working with a coalition including American Atheists and the American Humanists Association to introduce cutting-edge bills titled Keep Proselytizing Out of Public Schools (KPOP) Act, also known as the Student Secular Bill of Rights, designed to protect the rights of public school students across the country.
The legislation will uphold longstanding U.S. Supreme Court case law safeguarding student rights to a secular public school education. This includes ensuring no school-sponsored prayer and bible reading (Engel v. Vitale, 1962; Abington School District v. Schempp, 1963), school-sponsored prayer at graduations and other school events like football games (Lee v. Weisman, 1992; Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, 2000), and striking down religious displays like the posting of the Ten Commandments in classrooms (Stone v. Graham, 1980). The court has also rejected efforts to sneak religious doctrine into school curricula by teaching “intelligent design” under the guise of science (Edwards v. Aguillard, 1987) while at the same time affirming students’ right to personal religious expression.
The KPOP Act codifies these longstanding U.S. Supreme Court decisions into state law, creating durable protections for students and families that do not depend on shifting federal courts, which are rapidly threatening First Amendment Establishment Clause precedent. Below are details on recently introduced bills:
In Vermont, state Rep. Monique Priestley has introduced H 705, titled the “Student Secular Bill of Rights,” which affirms and protects every student’s true religious freedoms by ensuring that students are free to attend school without pressure or coercion from teachers or school officials to adhere to particular religious beliefs. It guarantees that students cannot be compelled to engage in school-sponsored prayer, religious instruction, proselytizing or religious messaging, and provides for clear protections against discrimination on the basis of religious belief or nonbelief.
In Kansas, similar companion bills are moving through the legislature. In the House, state Rep. Heather Meyer recently introduced House Bill 2431, known as the “Student Secular Bill of Rights.” On the Senate side, state Sen. Silas Miller has introduced Senate Bill 424.
And in Oklahoma, state Rep. Michelle McCane has introduced House Bill 3488. Many Oklahoma lawmakers have repeatedly sought to advance policies that invite religion into public schools; this bill serves as a safeguard against government-sponsored religious activity. HB 3488 reinforces that public education must remain neutral on matters of religion and ensures that no student is singled out, coerced or excluded because of their beliefs.
“Public schools exist to educate, not indoctrinate in religion,” comments FFRF Action Fund President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “The KPOP Act, or Student Secular Bill of Rights, makes clear that the captive audience of students of all religious faiths or none at all, have the right to attend school without religious pressure, coercion or exclusion. And crucially, these protections will stand regardless of the whims of the U.S. Supreme Court or any lower federal courts regarding the Establishment Clause.”
FFRF Action Fund notes that studies show up to 43 percent of young people have no religious affiliation, and overall among U.S. adults, 28 percent are atheist, agnostic or nothing in particular, making the “Nones” the single-largest bloc by religious identification, surpassing any one denomination. Today, Christian identification has dropped to 62 percent from 78 percent 17 years ago yet typically when religious coercion pops up in public schools, it is Christian or even evangelical in orientation. Baptisms, religious posters and assignments, imposed prayer and distribution of religious texts are common violations in public schools, which particularly marginalize those who are not Christian, religious or often Christians who are not Catholic or evangelical.
The Action Fund’s state legislative campaign comes amid a nationwide increase in laws and policies that blur the line between state and church in public education. By codifying settled constitutional principles directly into state law, these bills provide clarity for school districts, protect students’ rights and help prevent costly litigation.
The FFRF Action Fund is excited about these bills being introduced, but introduction is only the beginning. The Action Fund has just unveiled a comprehensive, easy-to-use toolkit that outlines the bill’s purpose and scope. The toolkit also provides clear guides designed to support advocacy efforts as these bills move throughout the legislative process.
“We need to keep proselytizing out of our public schools,” adds FFRF Action Fund Senior Counsel Ryan Jayne, “and we are moving ahead to enshrine these protections of freedom of conscience in the face of rapidly changing Establishment Clause jurisprudence.”
FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues.
