Simon Brown: Six Biggest Religious Right Threats to America!

With many legislatures tilting right, and "prayer" caucuses on the prowl, Church State separation may be in trouble in the coming year. Multiple courts have said "no" to states that want public schools to teach "intelligent design" creationism in science classes, but that doesn't faze Montana State Rep. Clayton Fiscus (R-Billings). Fiscus, a Tea Party favorite, whose professional background is in real estate, asked the legislative services staff of the Montana House of Representatives in November to come up with a bill for the 2013 legislative session, that would require public schools to teach intelligent design along with evolution. Lawmakers like Fiscus often push their agenda in defiance of established constitutional law, and sometimes hope they can create a case to convince the US Supreme Court to overturn previous decisions that contradict their personal beliefs. Americans United combated a wide array of state level legislative schemes in 2012, that sought to tear down the critical safeguards that keep church and state separate. With most state legislatures starting their annual sessions this month, here is a look at some of the top threats of church state separation expected in 2013, including school voucher bills, creationism ploys, "conscience" exemptions, anti shariah legislation, and so called "religious freedom" and "prayer" caucuses. Americans United anticipates proposals that benefit religious and other private schools, to surface in many states this year, with major pushes expected in New Jersey, Wisconsin, Texas and Tennessee. In new Jersey, a voucher scheme is likely in the works, thanks to the persistence of Governor Chris Christie (R). Christie tried to implement a program in 2012, with a proposal that would have cost the state $825 million. It would have provided 40,000 eligible students with vouchers, $8,000 for elementary school, and $11,000 for high school, the Newark Star Ledger reported.