A local paper reports that that the Thomas More Society, which specializes in religious liberty litigation, has sued the State of California over its inclusion of an Aztec prayer  in the curriculum as an activity.

Chanting the Aztec prayer “In Lak Ech Affirmation” in Spanish or English is included in California’s model ethnic studies curriculum as a suggested activity break. The prayer invokes the names of five Aztec Gods and asks for knowledge, love and respect.

“Our clients have both a religious and civic objection to the Aztec prayer, and they do not want their children chanting it, being asked or pressured to do so, or risking ostracism if they refuse,” said Paul Jonna…”.

The paper’s coverage is rather hostile. Read the Thomas More Society’s account for yourself.

Can you imagine the outcry had the California ethnic studies curriculum included a prayer from Sister Aimee Semple McPherson, from Father Junipero Serra, or from one of the founders of the Azusa Street Revival?

It is one thing to recognize that Aztecs, Sister, Father Serra, or the Asuza Street Pentecostals prayed. It is another thing for children to imitate them in a public school. One wonders how much of the Aztec story is told? E.g., does the curriculum report that Aztec religion entailed human sacrifice?

The Aztec faith shared many aspects with other Mesoamerican religions, like that of the Maya, notably including the rite of human sacrifice. In the great cities of the Aztec empire, magnificent temples, palaces, plazas and statues embodied the civilization’s unfailing devotion to the many Aztec gods, including Huitzilopochtli (god of war and of the sun) and Quetzalcoatl (“Feathered Serpent”), a Toltec god who served many important roles in the Aztec faith over the years. The Great Temple, or Templo Mayor, in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan was dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, the rain god.

We may be thankful that the curriculum does not have children imitating that. That would be a lesson that students would never forget.

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