Students freedom of religious expression protected

by Analicia Jaramillo

The Oklahoma House passed legislation protecting students' right of religious expression in school. Several individuals have objected saying this measure will only ignite problems in the classroom.

Republican representative, Dan Sullivan said this legislation was passed in order to provide equal opportunity for students to express his or her religious beliefs, which he feels can be done without imposing those beliefs on the other students. This was passed solely as an effort to allow students the right to express their views and do so without retribution.

Students will have the right to form organizations and have all the same rights as other extra-curricular and secular organizations do.

Opponents of this measure argue that by passing this legislation it will encourage students to express beliefs that are contradictory to the "traditional Christian views" the school currently upholds.

Those opponents also feel that because students already have a legal protection to pray in school, this measure is pointless.