Republican State Sen. Gail Griffin sponsored SB 1289, which amends the law so that teachers can also post the state motto, “Ditat Deus,” which means “God Enriches.” (The law also explicitly states that the national motto is indeed “In God We Trust.”)
In Arizona, the law already allows public school teachers and administrators to post any of the following in their classrooms: The national motto (“In God We Trust”), the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Constitution’s preamble, the Declaration of Independence, the Mayflower Compact, any speeches or proclamations by the Founding Fathers or our presidents, “Published decisions of the United States Supreme Court,” and any acts passed by Congress.
This is nothing more than a bill allowing teachers to push God into the classroom in another ostensibly secular way. And it just passed through the Senate on a 17-13 vote. (Every Republican voted for it. Every Democrat voted against it.)
The Secular Coalition of Arizona says that the wording of this bill will allow schools to simply put the phrase “God Enriches” in classrooms, forgoing any connection to the Latin motto, and they’re trying to stop it before it gets any further.
Read the full story at the Friendly Atheist Blog
