WASHINGTON (BP) — On any given day in Montgomery County, Md., public pre-K or elementary classrooms, students might encounter books promoting storylines that gender is more a construct than a biological fact.
U.S. Supreme Court justices grilled attorneys over practical applications and the common sense of what would happen if the school system allowed parents to opt their kids out of class when such books are read, just as parents are allowed to opt their kids out of physical education class.
Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) President Brent Leatherwood believes the justices are skeptical of the school board’s reasoning.
“It was clear during the oral arguments the court’s conservative wing was highly skeptical of Montgomery County’s claim that the gender ideology books are mere exposure to different ideas, not coercive instruction that burdens traditional religious beliefs,” Leatherwood told Baptist Press.
“Our brief before the court in the case makes the same arguments,” Leatherwood said. “We should pray that a clear majority unambiguously rules for these parents and allows them the simple right to protect their children from this material without forcing them out of public schools.”
ERLC is among 10 faith groups siding with the parents in an amicus brief submitted to SCOTUS in March.
Read the full Baptist Press article here.
