Ben Baker files bills to require school districts to post "In God We Trust," permit teaching of Bible unit in public schools

A sampling of the bills prefiled by Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho for the 2020 legislative session.

From the Missouri House of Representatives web site:

HB 1345 -- ELECTIVE SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES SPONSOR: Baker This bill allows a school district to offer an elective social studies unit on the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament of the Bible, or the New Testament of the Bible. The course will include the contents, history, literary style and structure, and influences on society. No requirement shall be made by the district on the text translation students must use. This bill requires that any course offered shall follow applicable laws maintaining religious neutrality, and shall not endorse, favor, promote, or show hostility to any particular religion, nonreligious faith or religious perspective. This bill is similar to HB 267 (2019).

(Baker introduced the same bill for the 2019 legislative session.)








HB 1346 -- NATIONAL MOTTO DISPLAY IN SCHOOLS SPONSOR: Baker This bill requires that schools, beginning in the 2021-22 school year and continuing thereafter, display the national motto of the United States, "In God We Trust" in a prominent location, as defined in the bill.

In the bill, a prominent location is defined as "a school entryway, cafeteria or common area where students are likely to see the national motto display."

I am sure he decided to file these bills after consulting with hundreds of his constituents.

Or maybe just the one in the mirror.