CASE WATCH::Ariz. Public Charter School Must Stop Promoting Religion In Government Classes, Americans United Says

Currently no word as to any firm resolution

 

An Arizona public charter school violated the First Amendment when it assigned a textbook that promotes religion to students in government classes, Americans United for Separation of Church and State says.

 

In a letter sent today [Aug 28, 2015] to officials at Heritage Academy in Mesa, Americans United explains that a text used in the school’s mandatory senior government/U.S. Constitution class teaches students religious beliefs such as divine creation of all things, divine judgment after death and the Ten Commandments.

 

“Lessons promoting religious doctrines have no place in public schools,” said Americans United Associate Legal Director Alex J. Luchenitser. “Students in government classes should be learning civics, but Heritage Academy has decided to inculcate theology instead.”

 

The government class curriculum is anchored heavily in religion. Students are assigned Proclaim Liberty Throughout all the Land, which teaches that God created everything, is the source of all proper law, intervenes in human affairs and responds to prayer. The book further asserts that America’s democracy cannot survive unless its people accept a “universal religion” reflecting fundamental Christian tenets. 

Ariz. Public Charter School Must Stop Promoting Religion In Government Classes, Americans United Says | Americans United

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