When students return to school in a few weeks, "In God We Trust" will be prominently displayed in every public school in South Dakota---every school in all 149 school districts.
Many schools have already complied with the new state law.
Here's the story.
Be informed.
The Associated Press reported that "When students return to public schools across South Dakota this fall, they should expect to see a new message on display 'In God We Trust'."
A new state law that took effect this month requires all public schools in the state's 149 districts to paint, stencil or otherwise prominently display the national motto.
The state lawmakers who proposed the law said the requirement was meant to inspire patriotism in the state's public schools. Displays must be at least 12 by 12 inches and must be approved by the school's principal, according to the law.
The Rapid City Journal notes that the new law does not provide funding---requiring the school districts to come up with the money out of existing budgets.
What happens when the schools get sued?
Surely the atheist Freedom From Religion Foundation, or some similar group, will sue, won't they?
While the new law mandates that the schools must display our national motto, the lawmakers did anticipate that lawsuits will follow, so they included a "hold harmless clause" in the law.
The law stipulates that "in the event that a school, school district or school board becomes the target of a lawsuit incurred by the displays, the law directs the state's attorney general to represent them at no cost." It also directs the state of South Dakota to cover all court costs for which those entities would otherwise be responsible.
National Public Radio reported:
"The law, which Governor Kristi Noem signed...and takes effect in the 2019-2020 school year...requires the motto to to be displayed in an easily readable form in prominent locations on public school grounds, such as entryways, cafeterias or common areas."
NPR says, "The motto has already been transferred onto walls in each of the Rapid City Area Schools."
Where do school districts find the extra money?
Essentially, the lawmakers have told the schools to get resourceful. And they have.
Some have stenciled the words "In God We Trust" on the wall of the entrance to the school, some in the cafeteria, some in other prominent places.
The only cost to each local school is putting the national motto in the prominent place. The Rapid City district has completed putting the motto in all its schools. The cost for Rapid City's 23 schools was a modest $2800.
The response from within the state.
Generally, people in the state support and appreciate the law. However, a few within the state are pushing back.
A group of Rapid City high school students have asked the school board if they will consider an alteration to the law.
They've asked if the school board would consider replacing God with Buddha, Yahweh, Allah, Science, or "Ourselves" from time to time to prevent excluding other faiths and those with no religious faith.
School District spokesperson Katy Urban told the group there is no consideration underway regarding any alteration to the law.
NPR reported that one student told them,
"I think that's a really fundamental element in American society, is that we are a cultural melting pot and it is really important that we make all people who come to America feel welcome and to be in accordance with the First Amendment since we all have freedom of religion."
Clearly this student is speaking out of stale talking points from public education, however, due to the near worship of multiculturalism, America is no longer a "melting pot," it's more like a "stew pot" with clumps of individuals sticking together around myriads of identities. Rather than assimilating into our American culture, they demand the culture bend to their identities and beliefs.
Identity politics.
"Freedom of religion" in the context of the mythical representation of Jefferson's "separation of church and state" comments to the Danbury Baptists, has become a blunt force tool in the hands of secularists to silence Christians while elevating anything and everything that disagrees with the Judeo-Christian worldview---even including sexual behavior.
Response from without the state.
At least one outside group has expressed its opposition to the new law. You will not be surprised to learn that the atheist Freedom From Religion Foundation has inserted itself into this matter.
The FFRF, based in Madison Wis., which has unsuccessfully legally challenged the motto's inclusion on our US currency, has already alerted all its South Dakota members to contact their legislators and express opposition to the law.
The Foundation, run by a former evangelical and his atheist wife, says, "Our position is that it's a terrible violation of freedom of conscience to inflict a godly message on a captive audience of school children."
I have to wonder if it has ever occurred to the atheists that in a few days, about 50.7 million kids will enter our public school classrooms.
These 50 million kids are the true captives---a captive audience to Planned Parenthood, at least 6 different so-called gay-rights organizations who have almost unrestricted access to the classroom and its curricula and legions of atheists indoctrinating from the so-called "settled science" of human evolution.
"In God We Trust."
The phrase first appeared on coins in 1864. Efforts to inscribe US currency with the phrase began in earnest several years earlier as a result of the outpouring of Christian compassion and sentiment in the run-up to the Civil War.
"In God We Trust" was adopted as the United States motto in 1956 with the passage of a US Congressional bill that President Dwight Eisenhower later signed into law. It appeared on paper money the following year.
Now it is reappearing in every public school in South Dakota.
Founding Father Patrick Henry once said, "It is when a people forget God, that tyrants forge their chains."
Thanks to the legislature in South Dakota for reminding us all not to forget God.
President Ronald Reagan said:
"Our National Motto---'In God We Trust'---was not chosen lightly. It reflects a basic recognition that there is a divine authority in the universe to which this nation owes homage."
Be Informed. Be Mindful. Be Vigilant. Be Faithful. Be Prayerful.