Missouri voters overwhelmingly said yes to Constitutional Amendment 2 this month, which guarantees that “school children have the right to pray and acknowledge God voluntarily in their schools,” according to a summary provided on Secretary of State Robin Carnahan’s website.
Under the amendment, students also can’t be forced to participate in school activities that violate their religious beliefs, and are also free to express their religious beliefs in oral and written assignments. Worship in schools is permitted as long as it is not “disruptive,” says the amendment, which was approved by close to 80 percent of voters, USA Today reported. The amendment could end up being challenged in the courts, with critics arguing that it is redundant and that such worship is already constitutionally protected.
In addition, Missouri’s Amendment 2 requires all public schools to display the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights.
