Other Measures Put "God Bless America" As National Hymn, Public School Motto

iting what he says is a renewed interest in religious expression, Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Oklahoma) is preparing to re-introduce a constitutional amendment which would return prayer and other religious exercise to public school classrooms.

   Provisionally dubbed the "Religious Speech Amendment," the measure is a copy of earlier legislation promoted by Rep. Istook as the Religious Freedom Amendment. That bill, introduced in the House in 1997, enjoyed the support of major religious right organizations such as Christian Coalition. Congress voted 224-204 in favor of the RFA, still short of the two-thirds margin necessary to alter the wording of the constitution. Istook's proposal read:

"To secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience: The people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed. The government shall not require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, proscribe school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion."    Even if approved by the two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, Istook's amendment would still require passage by legislatures in 38 states -- a daunting task for school prayer supporters. Istook's press secretary, Micah Swafford, told CNSNews service, "There is a feeling now that, perhaps, with the change in atmosphere, there might be more support for a school prayer amendment."

   The new Istook initiative has not been formally introduced on Capitol Hill, but could be in the legislative hopper within the next few weeks. Supporters, though, are betting that in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the mood of the nation has shifted regarding more overt religious expression in the public square. They point to efforts throughout the country to display religious slogans such as "In God We Trust" in the nation's schools, or display the Ten Commandments in public buildings.

   "Even now, 'God Bless America' are fighting words for some," noted Scripps Howard News Service reporter Michael Collins in a November 7 wire dispatch. Istook's legislation is evidence of "simple declarations of patriotism and faith in a time of national tragedy," says Collins. There is opposition, though, as "Across America, civil libertarians are concerned that the line separating church and state has been dangerously blurred -- and in some cases blatantly crossed -- in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks."

   Examples include endorsements of public, "student led" prayer by Texas Governor Rick Perry, who last month attended pep rallies at two school events that quickly devolved into religious meetings complete with a nod to "Jesus Christ." In other communities, disputes have broken out over the display of the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer (Ringgold, Georgia) and decisions by some schools in California to post slogans such as "In God We Trust."

    "God Bless America" is also becoming a billboard favorite.

   ¶    Senate Resolution 79, introduced by Strom Thurmond (R-South Carolina) would "express the sense of Congress that public schools may display the words 'God Bless America' as an urgent expression of support for the Nation." The measure is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

   ¶    H.R. 3051 is designed "To designate 'God Bless America' as the national hymn of the United States." The bill refers to the piece written by Irving Berlin (1888-1989) during the summer of 1918 while he was at Camp Upton on Long Island for his Ziegfeld-style revue, "Yip, Yip, Yaphank." Berlin reported felt that the tune was too solemn for the program and put the manuscript aside.

   This religion-based patriotism, though, riles many Americans, including Cincinnati freethought activist Ed Kagin. "This is a backhanded slap at non-believers," he told Scripps Howard, "with the subtle implication that if you don't think the 'God Bless America' part, you are not a good American."

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