The WallBuilders Show Rebuilding Liberty Part 4: Reclaiming Religious Liberty in American Education
What if everything you thought you knew about religion in American education was wrong? Dive into the eye-opening reality of how deeply the Bible was woven into the fabric of public education throughout most of American history.
Our journey through forgotten educational practices reveals that in 1816 New Jersey, first and second-grade students in public schools didn't just learn about the Bible—they memorized entire books of scripture. One particularly diligent student had committed to memory the Gospel of John, 30 Psalms, and Psalm 119. This wasn't happening in private religious schools, but in taxpayer-funded public education.
The evidence continues with Noah Webster's original 1828 dictionary, where 27% of word definitions included Bible verse references. Presidents from Zachary Taylor to Ulysses S. Grant publicly declared the Bible "the best school book in the world" and encouraged American youth to "hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties." As late as 1947, public schools across major American cities offered Bible courses for credit.
This episode doesn't just uncover forgotten history—it provides a practical roadmap forward. Recent Supreme Court decisions, particularly the Coach Kennedy case, have established a "history and tradition test" that creates new opportunities for constitutional religious expression in schools. Today, Bible curriculum is taught in 4,000 public schools reaching 600,000 students nationwide.
You'll learn actionable steps to restore religious liberty in your community: displaying the national motto "In God We Trust" in government buildings, advocating for Ten Commandments displays in schools, implementing chaplain programs, and introducing constitutional Bible curriculum.
The religious liberty landscape is changing dramatically. The walls that once seemed impenetrable now have openings—but walking through them requires knowledge and courage. Join us in this mission to rebuild liberty by understanding our past and creating a future where America's educational system once again embraces its full constitutional heritage.