A.G. Gancarski
The House would like it to be harder to miss Florida’s state motto in public schools.
But it remains to be seen if the Senate will agree.
On Wednesday, House lawmakers passed HB 1009, which requires “In God We Trust” to be in “clearly visible location and public area of the school which is readily accessible to and widely used by students and in a clearly visible location and public area of each building used by the district school board.”
The companion bill did not get a Senate committee hearing, narrowing its path, but the House is moving ahead despite the lack of interest in the upper chamber.
Rep. Kim Daniels, the Jacksonville Democrat who introduced the measure, framed the bill as a way to make sure consumers of Florida’s education system “know their rights.”
“Prayer in public schools in Florida is legal today, but constituents don’t know it. And in 2018 a bill was passed where ‘In God We Trust’ must be conspicuously displayed in public schools is already law. But most citizens of Florida are not aware of this,” Daniels said, noting that the bill compels the Florida Department of Education to “advertise” so people know they are safe in faith.
Just ahead of the 102-7 vote, Daniels offered her personal narrative to justify how the bill would keep people from being “discriminated against or judged based on their faith.”
“We’re all passionate about things and folks are passionate about LGBTQ and they’re passionate about other things. Well, I’m passionate about the G-O-S-P-E-L, the gospel,” she said.
8 comments
ScienceBLVR
April 23, 2025 at 2:56 pm
And if my atheist grandchildren object? How about my Buddhist neighbors? If this passes, cue the lawsuits, more taxpayer dollars wasted on clearly unconstitutional laws.
Equal time? In Allah we trust? What part of “No establishment of religion or promoting or favoring any particular religion over others” is not understood here?
I’m might refer to Ms. Daniel’s as a DINO, but I respect her view- but it ain’t everyone’s view. Keep it out of schools!
Michael K
April 23, 2025 at 2:58 pm
Ridiculous. Whose God?
So Embarassing
April 23, 2025 at 3:08 pm
Unbelievably lame and embarrassing. This is just religious virtue signaling and provides no solutions to the many real problems facing this state.
Foghorn Leghorn
April 23, 2025 at 3:41 pm
“In God We Trust” is printed on every piece of currency in the United States. Both paper and coins. You gonna protest that too?
JD
April 23, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Sure, if that’s the slippery slope that keeps government-sponsored religion out of schools, slide away. “In God We Trust” on money was Cold War pandering during the Red Scare. Doesn’t mean it belongs in a classroom. One bad idea from the 1950s doesn’t justify another one now.
And before you start with the rent jokes, my sage outlook is your remuneration. Stop saying dumb sh!t and I’ll stop having to rebut it. Deal?
Foghorn Leghorn
April 23, 2025 at 5:15 pm
In 1956 Congress passed “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States. Seventy years ago!
Foghorn Leghorn
April 23, 2025 at 5:35 pm
Oh and JD I am not a religious person. You think what I put out here is dumb. Now maybe there are some of us out here that think what you put out here is dumb as well.
Michael K
April 23, 2025 at 5:06 pm
The gospel? I have friends who are Buddhist atheist, Agnostic, Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim. Isn’t the “gospel” strictly a “Christian” thing?