SC lawmaker calls for law that requires ‘In God We Trust’ posters in every school

A South Carolina lawmaker would like to see “In God We Trust” posters in every Palmetto State public school.

State Rep. Mike Burns, R-Greenville, said a bill he filed in the legislature also calls for displaying the South Carolina’s motto, “Dum spiro spero,” which is Latin for “While I breathe, I hope,” according to WYFF.

“Our students, during their formative years, are rarely taught our national and state mottoes for whatever reasons,” Burns told WYFF. “It is a shame to have to go to the legislative process to do so, but it is just that important.”

But Fox Carolina reported the bill has already been met with opposition.

“This is just another way to insert religion into the school system,” said Brandis Hartsell, Greenville Chapter Member the American Humanist Association in an interview with Fox Carolina.

Burns told Fox Carolina he plans to continue to tell those who oppose the bill that it’s “quite constitutional.” He also told the station he hopes the posters will help force the public school system discuss “part of our history” that is sometimes neglected.

The bill is pending for discussion in a House subcommittee.

This story was originally published January 26, 2018 at 9:07 AM with the headline "SC lawmaker calls for law that requires ‘In God We Trust’ posters in every school."