In August, Arkansas lawmakers passed a bill requiring all public schools to display a framed picture or poster of “In God We Trust” above an American flag in their classrooms. Ostensibly, the law’s purpose is to promote patriotism but, if that was the case, why not use our nation’s original, secular motto E Pluribus Unum (“Out of many, one”). After all, a secular and inclusive motto is accessible to students of all faiths and none.
The answer can be found in a quote by Pastor Chris Reed where he explains why his church is donating so many of the “In God We Trust” posters to local schools:
“Our church discussed it very briefly…Though we may differ on what ‘In God We Trust’ means specifically, I think we can all agree that there’s a greater calling in our life that’s greater than us. As a student pastor, I think it’s vital that we have that spiritual influence in our schools as much as possible. This is who we are, this is who we have been and hopefully, I pray, that’s who we continue to be moving forward. In the name of Jesus that our lives will be directed as we obediently follow Christ.”
Public schools are no place for proselytizing. If communities want to help instill patriotism in students, that’s great, but those efforts should be done in an accessible and inclusive way that recognizes our nation’s religious diversity and respects its secular foundation.
