Citing its relevance to America's heritage, a state lawmaker yesterday lobbied for his bill that would allow the national motto, "In God We Trust," to be posted in public schools.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Tom Creighton, R-Manheim, would allow school boards to decide whether they should display the slogan in district buildings.
The proposal yesterday won the support of the House's basic education subcommittee by a 6-1 vote. It now will advance to the House Education Committee for consideration.
Still, the measure received critical questions from members in both parties.
The push for this legislation grows out of a social conservative movement backed by the American Family Association. The Mississippi-based group is campaigning to have the national motto be displayed in every classroom.
But Rep. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery, objects to having Pennsylvania join this list.
He said the legislation creates the impression that the state endorses a certain religion. If this were to become law, he said children who come from homes that don't believe in God would be forced to go to school every day to see a slogan that goes against their beliefs.
"I think what we're doing is trying to say we're the majority and our religion is right and your religion is not," Leach said. "I think that's immoral and un-American."
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