Public School Bible Class

Las Cruces (public) High School, Las Cruces, New Mexico, English teacher explaining New Testament bible reading curriculum to freshman English class: 'Tell your parents not to bother complaining as it won't do any good.' So, they do know it's illegal.

In the late 1970's NM State Legislators from Las Cruces, New Mexico, sponsored a 'moment of silence' in the public schools of the state. The NM State Legislature made it a law. A federal lawsuit was filed by a citizen of Las Cruces on behalf of his child for violations of the First Amendment. Federal Judge Burciaga (deceased) found the state law and practice illegal - unconstitutional! "The intent is obvious."

Judge Burciaga wrote that those supporters of the 'moment of silence' will continue to do everything possible to get around his ruling. To get votes, profit, and look good at church, state officials in faraway Santa Fe have traditionally turned a blind eye toward southern New Mexico.

Las Cruces, New Mexico, even has a public high school named after the revered and reviled Spaniard Onate. Reviled for murderous treatment of Native Americans during the reconquest of New Mexico for Spain; revered for bring Christianity to the territory and converting the Native Americans from their "heathen" ways.