Local legislator calls for 'In God We Trust' in public schools

The first bill introduced by one of the area's new state representatives would allow the display of "In God We Trust" in Illinois public schools.

State Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Louisville, sponsored House Bill 341 soon after he took office in January. The bill would allow a school board to conspicuously post the national motto "In God We Trust" on school grounds.

"I introduced this because I believe there is power in honoring the name of God," Bailey said. "The proposal will simply allow a community to display our national motto in their schools, much like police departments and municipalities do."

Bailey said that "In God We Trust" has appeared on U.S. coins since 1964, and many of the nation's founding documents and historic government buildings feature a scripture on its walls or cornerstones. He said that allowing public schools to display the motto would uphold the nation's "Christian heritage."

"The United States of America is unique ... because of our Christian heritage. Furthermore, hopefully, people will do their own research on (Thomas) Jefferson's famous letter and understand in context what was meant by what we term separation of church and state," Bailey said, referencing Jefferson's 1801 letter to the Danbury Baptists. "It was widely feared that America would begin a state church like many had fled in England and Jefferson was giving reassurance that this would not happen."

Bailey cited movements to honor the name of God that occurred after the Civil War and World War II, saying it is time for another such movement in Illinois.

Since the bill was introduced in January, the Freedom from Religion Foundation, which advocates for church-state separation, has spoken out against it. FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne said the bill segregates non-religious students from religious ones.

"If a school prominently displays 'In God We Trust,' non-religious students are sent a message that they are disfavored because they don't believe in a god. Students who belong to minority religions also will understand that the phrase is meant to refer to the Christian God specifically, so they will also feel excluded," Jayne said. "Far from the disingenuous goal some legislators have espoused of uniting students through patriotism, putting 'In God We Trust' in public schools would only divide students based on their beliefs."

Jayne said the FFRF believes public schools should be secular and that they are constitutionally required to be secular. He said the bill is part of "Project Blitz," a nationwide effort by legislators which Jayne said seeks to promote a "Christian nationalist agenda" through state laws.

Bailey disagrees.

The legislator said Illinois is facing serious problems, such as people leaving the state, and these issues may have ties to a deviation from religion. He said allowing the motto to be on display is a step in the right direction.

"'In God We Trust' is our national motto. It's on our money, and it's who we are. It is the responsibility of the church and family to teach biblical understanding to the children," Bailey said.

Kaitlin Cordes can be reached at kaitlin.cordes@effinghamdailynews.com or 217-347-7151 ext. 132.