State Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Pike Road) has pre-filed a constitutional amendment requiring Alabama school boards to vote for or against allowing employees and students to pray and read religious texts during the school day.
According to Ingram, the goal of House Bill 43 (HB 43) is simple.
"We need to get prayer back in school. We had it when I was young; our kids had fewer problems and fewer troubles," he told 1819 News. "I think prayer is always a good thing, no matter where it is."
The lawmaker compared allowing prayer and study of religious texts in schools to providing supplemental meals for students in need.
"Then another thing you think about is how we supplement lunches and breakfast because kids don't have that opportunity at home. It's the same way here," Ingram outlined. "A lot of these kids don't have the opportunity to go to church or worship with others because their parents work seven days a week, or they just don't take them to church. And that kid may be starving to worship, pray and be with others in Fellowship."
"This gives them that time. Seven, eight hours that they're in school to be able to have that opportunity, just like a meal," he continued.
"I think this is the first bite of the apple," Ingram added. "If we can get this done, then hopefully it'll grow. And hopefully one day every child that attends our public schools will have that opportunity."
The CA would require students to have a signed consent form to participate in prayer and the study of religious texts.
Failure to comply, should it be enacted, will result in the loss of school funding.
For Ingram's amendment to take effect, the state legislature would have to pass it during the 2026 session, and then it would be subject to a statewide referendum.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every day.
