Kansas considers requiring ‘In God We Trust’ to be posted in public schools

The state legislature in Kansas is considering a bill that would require all public buildings and schools to post the motto “In God We Trust.”

The legislation, which has been sponsored by some Republicans, would mandate that all public buildings, classrooms, universities, and libraries display the motto. “In God We Trust” has been the national motto of the United States since 1956, but some have criticized the religious sentiment being used in public life.

Rep. Michael Capps, a lead sponsor of the bill, told the Wichita Eagle, “It should be displayed as an acknowledgment of our country’s history and founding principles.”

Capps called those who opposed the legislation “misguided,” adding, “If fringe groups are offended, they are welcome to move elsewhere. I will continue to pray for the atheists in Kansas — praying they will come to find the love our country our Founders showed.”

Several secular groups disagreed with Capps, including American Atheists president Nick Fish, who said, “This bill has nothing to do with educating Kansas students. It’s clear some lawmakers care more about forcing a religious message into school classrooms than teaching the facts.”

Rep. Stephanie Clayton, a Democrat, agreed with Fish, saying, “I already have some heartburn here, because not everyone in this country or state does believe in God.”

Capps has also faced opposition from within the Republican Party. Rep. Blake Carpenter feared that the measure was “overkill” because it requires the motto to be in every classroom throughout every school in the state.

Carpenter explained, “I love our national motto, I do support it. But I’m curious, do you think when you say ‘every classroom or library’ might be slight overkill instead of just putting it at the main entrance or the main lobby.”

Capps responded to Carpenter’s criticism by explaining that adding the motto would not come at the taxpayer’s expense because the bill allows for donations. He also added, “Generally speaking, every classroom has an American flag in it and we don’t consider that to be overkill.”

Kansas would not be the first state to have a law requiring “In God We Trust” in public schools. South Dakota passed a version of that legislation that took effect in July 2019.

“In God We Trust” has been a controversial motto for several years. In 2019, the Supreme Court declined to hear a case from a defendant who demanded that the motto be removed from the national currency.