Mississippi Bill Proposes Daily Prayer in Schools
Mississippi House Passes Bill to Include Daily Prayer and Religious Texts in Public Schools
In a significant legislative move, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a bill that would require public schools to set aside time each day for prayer and the reading of religious texts. The legislation, known as House Bill 1310, was approved with an 80-35 vote following extensive debate. It is now set to be reviewed by the Senate.
The proposed law mandates that every public school campus provide a daily period dedicated to prayer and the reading of religious texts such as the Bible, the Quran, and others. Participation in these activities would be entirely voluntary and would require parental consent through a signed form. Schools would have the flexibility to schedule these religious activities either before the school day begins or in separate classrooms where only students with parental permission are present.
Rep. Jansen Owen, who supported the bill, emphasized that it aims to give parents and students more choice rather than impose a mandate. He stated, “This bill gives parents and students a choice, not a mandate. It provides schools a reliable legal framework to accommodate religious exercise without fear of litigation.”
However, the proposal has sparked concerns from educators and organizations representing teachers. The Mississippi Association of Educators, the state’s largest teachers’ organization, has raised several issues regarding the potential impact of the bill. Erica Jones, the association’s executive director and a former elementary school teacher with two decades of classroom experience, expressed worries about the possible conflicts between home and school environments.
Jones highlighted the concern that students might be drawn to different rooms for religious activities, which could lead to discomfort among some families. She said, “You will possibly encounter students that want to follow a friend to maybe a different room for that particular religion that’s being covered. That might be something that our parents are not comfortable with. They may have their religion that they practice at home.”
She also pointed out concerns about instructional time and the ongoing teacher shortage in Mississippi. As a former first and second grade teacher, she recalled the challenges of fitting all necessary lessons into the school day. “I do question whether or not there will be enough allotted time for reading and math. I also wonder about capacity, thinking about our teacher shortage that we are currently experiencing here in Mississippi.”
Some lawmakers questioned the necessity of the new bill, noting that Mississippi law already protects students’ rights to pray and engage in religious activities at school. Rep. Robert Johnson, who opposed the measure, remarked, “We already have in the law, you can still organize, you can form groups, you can pray at school. But somehow, it is never enough.”
Recent studies indicate that approximately 77% of Mississippians identify as Christian. Educators worry that a state-mandated religious program could create tensions for families whose beliefs differ from the majority.
The bill will now be considered by the Mississippi Senate, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s approach to integrating religious practices into public education.
- Ikon Tejano San Antonio Ram Herrera masih tampil meskipun menderita kanker stadium 4 - February 18, 2026
- Mississippi Bill Proposes Daily Prayer in Schools - February 18, 2026
- Elephant Bone Discovery in Spain Could Rewrite Hannibal’s War History - February 18, 2026
Leave a Reply