WASHINGTON (WDNews) — U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama has joined a Senate resolution that would designate Sept. 27 through Oct. 3 as “Religious Education Week.”
Senate Resolution 891 was introduced Sept. 23 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The resolution has not yet been adopted by the Senate.
The measure was introduced by U.S. Sen. Darline Graham of South Carolina and is backed by Tuberville and more than two dozen other senators, including Alabama Sen. Katie Britt.
“As Republicans, we believe that parents, not the government, should be in charge of a child’s education,” Tuberville said. “Our country was founded on Christian values, and private religious schools are a great option for many Alabamians. There’s a myth out there that our Founders wanted to keep God out of the public square. That just isn’t true. This country was built on love of God, love of country, and love of family.”
According to the resolution, the measure would recognize religious education for its role in intellectual, ethical, moral and civic development. It also calls on all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia to accommodate students who wish to be released from public school attendance to participate in religious classes.
The resolution cites U.S. Supreme Court decisions involving religious education and released-time programs, including Zorach v. Clauson, a 1952 case involving students being released from public school to attend religious instruction.
The proposal is supported by School Time Bible Ministries, the Foundation for American Christian Education, Agudath Israel of America, the Association of Christian Schools International, the Coalition for Jewish Values and Catholic Education Partners, according to Tuberville’s office.
