Arizona Republicans Push for Chaplains in Public Schools, Claiming ‘Jesus Trumps Psychologists’

In a significant development in Arizona education, Republican lawmakers are advocating for the introduction of religious chaplains in public schools, despite ongoing debates about their potential to indoctrinate students. This push comes amidst accusations that public school teachers are promoting a “woke agenda.”

Rep. David Marshall, R-Snowflake, emphasized his belief that religious guidance is superior to psychological counseling during a recent Arizona House Education Committee meeting. “I think Jesus is a lot better than a psychologist,” he stated, referencing his 26 years of experience as a chaplain.

The proposed Senate Bill 1269, introduced by Flagstaff Republican Sen. Wendy Rogers, mirrors recent legislation seen in states like Texas and Florida. It aims to allow school districts the option to permit volunteer religious chaplains to offer counseling services. Should a district opt to implement this, they must inform parents about the chaplains’ religious affiliations and secure parental consent before a child can receive support.

Despite significant concerns that this initiative infringes upon the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, the bill has advanced through the Senate in a party-line vote and received approval from the House Education Committee. Rogers dismissed the concern about church-state separation as a “myth” and championed the idea of incorporating religious figures into public education.

Critics contend that the bill could disproportionately affect students of minority religions, denying them equivalent counseling services. Amendments proposed by committee Chairman Matt Gress aim to limit which chaplains may participate based on their religious affiliations, potentially excluding those from groups like The Satanic Temple of Arizona, which does not believe in a higher power.

Oliver Spires, a minister from The Satanic Temple, challenged the legislation, arguing it could leave students from non-Christian backgrounds without adequate support. Meanwhile, Gaelle Esposito from the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona raised concerns about the qualifications of religious chaplains compared to trained school counselors, emphasizing the latter’s specialized training for addressing serious mental health issues.

As the debate continues, Republican committee members argue that the mental health crisis among youth stems not from inadequacies in professional support, but rather from a lack of religious presence in their lives. “I think there is a spiritual deficit that needs to be addressed,” asserted Gress.

Democratic representatives, including Nancy Gutierrez from Tucson, decried the bill as “outrageous” and potentially discriminatory against non-religious students. Former teacher Rep. Stephanie Simacek articulated fears that the legislation could lead to indoctrination, asserting that public education should focus on academic instruction rather than religious ideology.

Similar initiatives are gaining traction in various conservative states this year, with proposals surfacing in Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, Montana, and North Dakota. The discussion surrounding SB 1269 is poised to advance to the full House of Representatives, after which it may return to the Senate for final approval before being sent to Governor Katie Hobbs.