On Monday, the Tennessee legislature passed the "Religious Viewpoints Anti-Discrimination Act" which would require schools to treat a student's "voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint" the same as a secular student's expression or viewpoint.

The opening paragraph of the bill states,

An LEA [local education agency] shall treat a student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner the LEA treats a student’s voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject and may not discriminate against the student based on a religious viewpoint expressed by the student on an otherwise permissible subject.

The bill passed by a vote of 32-0 in the state Senate and 90-2 in the House and is currently awaiting the signature of Republican Governor Bill Haslam.

In backlash similar to Arizona's so-called "anti-gay bill," media outlets are already condemning this bill, arguing it allows homosexuals to be bullied over and above protecting religious students. Here are a few headlines from around the web:

Tennessee Passes Bill Allowing LGBT Students To Be Bullied in the Name of 'Religious Freedom' — The New Civil Rights Movement

Tennessee General Assembly Passes 'Religious Freedom' Measure That Could Sanction Bullying Against LGBTQ Kids — Salon

Bill Passes In Tennessee That Would Sanction Bullying To Protect 'Religious Freedom' — Opposing Views

The bill also states that students may "express their beliefs" in classroom assignments and that the assignments should be "judged by ordinary academic standards." Students may organize religious gatherings and activities in the same manner as is allowed for secular students. In a "limited public forum," speeches at assemblies or graduation ceremonies may include a student's religious viewpoint.

The ACLU has joined the fight against this legislation warning that this bill will turn public schools into "Sunday schools." It also warns of other unintended consequences, namely students being "required to listen to religious messages or participate in religious exercises that conflict with their own beliefs."