The Constitution is clear — government must not treat a person of faith as a second-class citizen. Despite that, government agencies willingly prohibit religious action by private individuals in government buildings or on grounds.
As Michael P. Farris wrote in an opinion piece for The Hill:
Many school officials and other government operatives appear to believe that the only relevant provision in the First Amendment is the Establishment Clause, which has been reduced to the misleading slogan of “separation of church and state.”
But the Establishment clause doesn’t limit citizens religious rights, it limits the incursion of government. Our founding father wanted just the opposite of prohibiting a school child from observing Ash Wednesday as an individual.
Consider Chase Windebank, who attends an school in Colorado Springs. He and his prayer group who met during open period were denied the right because of the myth that “separation of church and state” made their actions unconstitutional.
President Trump’ recent announcement concerning his determination to support religious freedom offers a ray of hope to citizens like Chase. Farris reminds us this applies not just to people of faith but to “Americans who believe that all branches of government should always follow the law.”
Watch the video as the student tells President Trump the story about a teacher making him remove the ashes he wore on his forehead for Ash Wednesday. Learn what the President promised the boy.
