The annual Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest engages high school students in church-state issues by directing them to express a point of view on a religious liberty topic.
Essays are judged on the depth of their content, mastery of the topic and the skill with which they are written.
Entries are now being accepted for the 2020 Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest, open to all high school juniors and seniors. The grand prize is a $2000 scholarship and trip to Washington, D.C.
2020 Topic
Several state legislators have introduced bills requiring "In God We Trust" to be displayed prominently in public elementary and secondary schools. These bills encourage placement of the motto in high traffic areas, such as cafeterias and libraries.
Write an essay in the form of a letter to your state representative, encouraging them to adopt or oppose legislation mandating the prominent placement of "In God We Trust" in public schools. Your essay should support your stance, explain whether the proposal violates the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment, and show how such legislation would impact all students and faculty, both religious and nonreligious.
Awards Available: 3