House votes to protect religious freedom in schools

The House on Thursday adopted a proposal by voice vote ensuring that students and teachers have the right to exercise their religion in schools.

Rep. Bill Flores’s (R-Texas) amendment to the House GOP’s No Child Left Behind Act rewrite establishes the sense of Congress that students, teachers and administrators have the right under the First Amendment to participate in activities on school grounds “related to their religious freedom.”

{mosads}Flores, the chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, warned that Americans should remain “vigilant” about protecting religious freedom. The Texas Republican said he’s heard examples of schoolchildren barred from handing out candy canes with “traditional Christmas messages” at the holidays.

“Every Christmas, we hear stories of elementary school children being forbidden from passing out candy canes fixed with notes including traditional Christmas messages. Or even being forbidden from saying the word ‘Christmas’ in schools,” Flores said.

But Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, said the measure might suggest that teachers at public schools can participate in religious activities contrary to the separation of church and state.

Scott further argued that public schools should be free from overemphasis on religion to accommodate all beliefs.

“I would remind my colleagues that religious freedom means not only that students, teachers and schools administrators are able to exercise their right to religion, but also that students should be able to attend their public schools free of unwarranted proselytization and coercion in participation of religious activities,” Scott said.

The House debated more than 40 amendments to the legislation Thursday night. A vote on final passage is expected Friday.