Arizona bill would allow state motto ‘God enriches’ to be used in classroom
Mar 6, 2018, 11:05 AM | Updated: 11:45 am
PHOENIX — The Arizona Senate passed a bill that would add the state motto “Ditat Deus” – or its English translation, “God enriches” – to the list of phrases allowed to be read and posted in the classroom.
Senate Bill 1289, introduced by Gail Griffin (R-Hereford) and co-sponsored by all 17 Republicans, passed with a 17-13 vote along party lines. Griffin said it would “be a good history lesson for students to learn where this came from.”
The Secular Coalition for Arizona released a statement claiming a different motive.
“This bill is clearly part of the legislature’s ideological push in recent years to chip away at secular government,” Director Tory Roberg said.
On Monday, the House Education Committee Action voted 8-2 in favor of the bill. The House is awaiting its third reading before voting. It has not been altered since it was introduced.
The list of historical and, in some cases, religious phrases allowed in schools includes:
- The national motto
- The national anthem
- The pledge of allegiance
- The preamble to the Constitution
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Mayflower Compact
- Writings, speeches, documents and proclamations of the founding fathers and presidents
- Published Supreme Court decisions
- Acts of Congress
The proposed bill also adds a clarification, noting that the national motto is “In God We Trust.”
