Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

The Hardin County School system is cracking down on religious messages. The teachers in the school system were recently told they couldn't have coffee cups with Scriptures on them inside their classrooms. If they're on Facebook and use phrases like “blessings” or “praise” then they must nix any connection with the school. Scripture displays on their desks could only face them. And students in one school were told they could no longer place fliers on bulletin boards announcing “See you at the pole”—an annual prayer even for students. The heavy-handed restrictions on free-speech for teachers in Hardin County schools is chilling.  Free speech and religious freedom are prized rights even though exercising these freedoms may make others feel uncomfortable. But what's more uncomfortable is when authorities try to restrict them.