As we approach America’s 250th anniversary - let’s fix the problems in this country by putting prayers back in public schools! Many Americans actually believe that removing prayer from public schools was the beginning of the downfall of America. We may have some problems - but the belief that America has been in a continuing downfall for decades is a bit of an exaggeration - don’t you think? Yes - we have problems - but this is a damn great nation and if you notice it is the far right that consistently raises the notion that America needs to go back and be the way it used to be. I disagree.
Last week I mentioned on the show that the state of Texas was considering a requirement to read Bible passages in every public school in the state. Shortly after getting off the air on Friday - I saw the news that Texas’ Republican-controlled Board of Education had approved the mandatory reading of Biblical passages in public school classrooms. We all know that has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. But with the Court now dominated by conservatives with a mentality to rule politically rather than strictly by legal precedent - the 1962 ruling in the case of Engel v. Vitale - which banned the Bible or prayer in public schools - may be in jeopardy.
There should be no doubt that the new Texas ruling will be challenged and that will cost the citizens and the state tons of money.
It is interesting to point out that the Texas ruling requiring Bible passages to be read in public schools is requiring ONLY Protestant passages to be read. When prayers were an uncontested part of every school day for public school students - there was controversy. Between 1863 and 1867 - Catholics objected to the prayers in public schools because all the prayers were Protestant prayers. Christians and Jews created controversy because they felt that the Protestant prayers were not inclusive to their children’s religion.
Any impression that all Christians agreed on Christian prayers being read in public school classrooms is a complete myth. Christians themselves could not even agree on what prayers should be read in public schools. Why would anyone think that will be different in 2026?
As I have discussed on my talk show on WWL before - in 1962 when the Supreme Court banned prayer in public schools - there were a lot of things happening in American society that were also contributing to the direction of America. The notion that only banning prayers in public schools is to blame for any negative direction America has taken is the definition of naivete.
Catholic priest - Fr. Edward Beck - a religious contributor to CNN said in an interview that he is "certainly for the Bible” - but allowing only Biblical passages to be read in the absence of passages from the Quran or Buddhist or Hindu would be wrong. Fr. Beck also pointed out that in the state of Texas - over half of the public school students are Black or Hispanic.
And what about requiring students to participate in Biblical reading in the classroom? Fr. Beck said that “forced scripture doesn’t deepen faith. I think it breeds resentment when the state and not a family or a teacher decides which Bible passages children must read” and said that politics should not be part of this effort.
It is wrong - and it’s impossible - for public schools to satisfy all religions and as a government entity - public schools should not require Bible passages to be read in classrooms.
This is not about dissing God or attacking Christianity. From 1962 to 2026 - this controversy is being resurrected by zealot Christians who have only their myopic view of the Bible and religion and are attempting to push their views on America. Their effort defies the foundation of this country. Let’s remember this as we get ready to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary.
