
“As a minister, I know that chaplains can play an appropriate and important role in the lives of many families, but their place is absolutely not in our public schools,” Interfaith Alliance President Paul Raushenbush said. “The legislation Gov. DeSantis just signed opens students up to potential religious coercion and creates a serious risk that those in need of support from trained counselors will not receive it.”

Just days ago, on Tuesday, November 4, I joined a determined group of faith leaders and advocates from diverse faith traditions at the United States Senate to deliver a faith letter carrying an urgent appeal: hold the line. Do not reopen the government without protecting the essential benefits people need to survive.

Interfaith Alliance, together with major religious organizations committed to religious freedom and education, has submitted a formal comment to the U.S. Department of Education opposing the proposed priority and definitions on promoting patriotic education.