Oklahoma House Approves Bill On Religion In Schools

A bill designed to allow public school students to express religious viewpoints and organize prayer groups has passed the House despite concerns the measure could actually lead to more lawsuits against schools.

The House voted 79-13 for the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act by Sallisaw Republican Rep. John Bennett, who says the bill is modeled after a Texas law. The bill further directs school boards to adopt policies for student speakers at all school events that protects "the voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint by a student."

The head of the Oklahoma chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union says the proposed law is nothing more than a "political stunt" and urged its defeat in the Senate.