Skip to main content

Headline Roundup August 22nd, 2022

Texas Schools Start Hanging 'In God We Trust' Signs to Comply with New State Law

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Texas public schools are starting to display posters of the national motto "In God We Trust" in accordance with a new state law.

The legislation, Senate Bill 797, requires schools to hang a "durable poster of framed copy" of the national motto in a "conspicuous place" if they were "donated" or "purchased by private donations." It also requires that each poster have an American flag "centered under the motto" next to a Texas state flag. Several laws passed in recent years have similarly mandated the slogan to be displayed in public schools, government buildings and police vehicles.

Coverage across the spectrum noted how the "controversial" Texas law has drawn backlash from civil rights advocates who believe the bill "imposes religion" on students and raises concerns about the separation of church and state. Some outlets, especially religious-based ones, emphasized that "In God We Trust" has remained the national motto since 1956 and was "reaffirmed" by the House in 2006.

Featured Coverage of this Story

Texas mandates donated "In God We Trust" displays in schools
Texas mandates donated "In God We Trust" displays in schools

Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images

News

Texas schools have started receiving posters of the national motto "In God We Trust" that they will be required to display in accordance with a new state law.

The big picture: Those opposed are sounding the alarm about the law, arguing it imposes religion on students and flies in the face of the expectation that schools be secular.

The law, which was passed last year, says elementary and secondary schools must "display in a conspicuous place in each building of the school or institution a durable poster or framed copy of...

Open on Axios
'In God We Trust': Texas Law Requiring Public Schools Display National Motto Draws Backlash
'In God We Trust': Texas Law Requiring Public Schools Display National Motto Draws Backlash

CBN

News

Posters featuring the national motto are going up in public schools and colleges across Texas, and that's drawing backlash from several groups who argue the phrase is used to promote Christian nationalism. 

A new Texas state law requires all public elementary, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education to post in their facilities "In God We Trust" posters if they are donated or purchased by private donations. 

The Texas Tribune reports Senate Bill 797 passed during last year's legislative session. The law went into effect last year. 

Open on CBN
Public schools receive ‘In God We Trust’ poster donations as new Texas law requires their display
Public schools receive ‘In God We Trust’ poster donations as new Texas law requires their display

KTVT/CNN

News

Texas school districts have begun receiving donated posters and framed copies of the national motto, “In God We Trust,” that they will now be required to display in accordance with a new state law.

The law says a public elementary or secondary school or an institution of higher education “must” display a durable poster or framed copy of the motto in a “conspicuous place” in each building if the poster or framed copy is “donated for display at the school or institution” or “purchased from private donations and made available...

Open on CNN Digital

More headline roundups

More News about Religion and Faith on AllSides

News from the Left

News from the Center

News from the Right