OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma public school students who express their religious views couldn’t be discriminated against under a bill passed by the House on Thursday, despite concerns from opponents that such protections already exist.
The House voted 79-13 for the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act by Rep. John Bennett, who said the bill is modeled after a Texas law.
“We have the right to religious freedom. Period,” said Bennett, R-Sallisaw. “In public schools, students can hardly mention God one time without being sent to the principal’s office.”
The bill further directs school boards to adopt policies protecting student speakers at school events from being punished for expressing their religious views. The bill also specifically gives religious clubs or prayer groups the same access to school facilities as it does for other student groups.
Rep. Ben Sherrer said students in Oklahoma have plenty of opportunities to express religious viewpoints and that the bill is unnecessary.
“I’ve got news: the sovereign will of God does not need man’s help,” said Sherrer, D-Chouteau. “If God wants administrator-led prayer in school, it will happen. If God wants hymns sung at school board meetings, it will happen. If God wants an altar call at the end of a Homecoming ceremony, it will happen. God does not need our help.”
Ryan Kiesel, the director of the Oklahoma chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said the group opposes the bill and that a student’s right to discuss religion already is protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Former Rep. Weiner Running for New York Mayor
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
New Xbox One Entertainment Console Unveiled
