The Storm Lake Pilot Tribune reports on the latest meeting of the Spencer, Iowa School Board, in discussions over a proposed new "religious liberty" policy. The debate considered recommendations to drop many of the provisions of the policy, including controversial additions to the curriculum, and a plan to allow prayer in graduation ceremonies. It also demonstrated that the Board knows it is being scrutinized over this potential action.
Whatever the religious liberty policy's final content ends up being, the board said the discussion is worthy to have. "I think it's essential that we craft something in the end, just for the sake of our staff and students," [Board member David] Schlichtemeier said. "It's all over the news that we're talking about a religious liberty policy. If we just drop it now, the message will be that God is a four letter word."
Last week, a Des Moines Register editorial took on the proposal, and specifically the curriculum issue.
If the goal of its proposal is to accommodate any and all expressions of faith and to promote understanding of all religions, fine. If the goal is to endorse or advance one religious belief, then it will surely fail legal challenge. And it should.
