The Bible and Political Opportunism in Missouri

Sen. Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau) has sponsored a bill that would "allow public school districts to offer classes in which the Bible is taught" (SB 736).

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, in their Brochure: "Prayer And The Public Schools: Religion, Education, and Your Rights" states the following about bible classes: "The high court has also made it clear, time and again, that objective study about religion in public schools is legal and appropriate." As long as the practice has a "legitimate educational purpose, not a devotional one."

I have just one question: If Bible classes are already constitutionally protected, what is the purpose for Crowell's bill?

Students Can not be Compelled to Stand for the Pledge

School Districts and their employees may not enforce any type of requirement on students that they stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Asking for parental consent for students to be excused from standing is such a requirement that is prohibited.

In Lipp v. Morris, 579 F.2d 834 (3rd cir. 1978), the court held that, “[t]his mandatory condition upon the student’s right not to participate in the flag salute ceremony is an unconstitutional requirement that the student engage in a form of speech and may not be enforced" (emphasis added). The policy that the court struck down in this case was a New Jersey statute that required students to “show full respect to the flag while the pledge is being given . . . by standing at attention.” In Goetz v. Ansell, 477 F.2d 636, 638 (2nd cir. 1973), the court held that silent non-disruptive expression of belief by sitting down during the Pledge may not be prohibited. In addition, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found that states could mandate that the pledge be recited but did so on the basis that "no pupil was compelled to recite the Pledge, to stand during the Pledge or place his hand over his heart, or to leave if he would not join in, and that no one was penalized in any way for remaining silent and seated." Sherman v. Community Consolidated School District 21 of Wheeling Township, 980 F.2d 437 (7th Cir. 1992).