The Florida House of Representatives has passed a bill in the wake of the deadly Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that would require all schools and administrative buildings to display a powerful message: “In God we trust.”
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The bill was widely approved in a 97-10 vote on Wednesday, after Democrat Rep. Kimberly Daniels sponsored it. Daniels pointed to the recent shooting at Marjory Stoneman as evidence of the need for more God, WESH-TV reported.
FB LIVE on the Floor in a few minutes…IN GOD WE TRUST! I took this picture at a state prison. LIKE SHARE COMMENT
Posted by State Representative Kimberly Daniels on Tuesday, February 20, 2018
“Our schools need light in them like never before,” she said, likening God to that light. “[The] real thing that needs to be addressed are issues of the heart.”
It’s not yet clear if the bill will also clear the Senate and be signed into law, but the proposal is being met with some resistance from atheists and others who staunchly advocate for the separation of church and state.
Blogger Michael Stone made clear his opposition to forcing schools and administration buildings to post “In God We Trust”:
Seventeen people were killed last week at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. No imaginary God stopped the shooter, and any trust placed in that imaginary God is trust misplaced.
Forcing schools to post signs proclaiming “In God We Trust” is a futile gesture that ultimately demeans and disparages the U.S. Constitution, the separation of church and state, and the secular values upon which this nation was built.
Florida House Rep. Carlos G. Smith disagreed with Daniels, saying that he believes the “In God We Trust” proposal is inappropriate.
Let’s keep a clear separation between church + state. Forcing our public schools to post “In God We Trust” in a conspicuous place is inappropriate. I don’t care if it was a Democrat who sponsor the bill. I vote based on core values, not party lines. I vote NO on HB 839. #sayfie
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) February 21, 2018
“Let’s keep a clear separation between church + state,” Smith tweeted. “Forcing our public schools to post ‘In God We Trust’ in a conspicuous place is inappropriate. I don’t care if it was a Democrat who sponsor the bill. I vote based on core values, not party lines. I vote NO on HB 839.”
What say you?