Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool, File)
Alito also questioned the content of several of the books raised in the appeal dealing with same-sex marriage.
"I don't think anybody can read that and say: well, this is just telling children that there are occasions when men marry other men," said Alito. "It has a clear moral message, and it may be a good message. It's just a message that a lot of religious people disagree with."
Hundreds on both sides of the issue rallied outside the court, some carrying signs like "Let Parents Parent" and "Include All Families."
The suburban Washington county introduced new books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes into the elementary school curriculum in 2022, as part of the district's "inclusivity" initiative.
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One of the challenged storybooks raised in the appeals is "Prince & Knight," described as a "modern fairy tale" for ages 4-8, of the two males falling in love after working together to battle a dragon threatening their kingdom, and later marrying.
Another book mentioned repeatedly in the court's public session was "Uncle Bobby's Wedding," about a little girl's reaction to her favorite relative's plans to marry a man.
The school district refused to allow parents to opt out of their
Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson stands as she and members of the Supreme Court pose for a new group portrait following her addition, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, Oct. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File )
Many educators say they should be given deference to develop lesson plans that reflect the community at large, and that navigating a flood of individual religious rights claims would make classroom instruction and collaboration extremely problematic.
Parents rights and religious groups counter impressionable children should not be forced to participate in reading activities that undermine their families' teachings and spirituality. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, representing the parents who sued, called the school policy "compelled instruction."
The Trump administration is backing the parents, saying in a written brief the board's no opt-out policy "compromises parents’ ability to act consistent with those [religious] beliefs regardless of whether their children feel pressured or coerced by the instruction."
The case is Mahmoud v. Taylor (24-297). A ruling is expected before the court's summer recess in late June.
Kristine Parks and Jessica Sonkin contributed to this report.
Shannon Bream currently serves as anchor of FOX News Sunday. She joined the network in 2007 as a Washington D.C- based correspondent covering the Supreme Court.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/supreme-court-appears-side-parents-religious-liberty-dispute-over-storybooks