According to reclaimamericaforchrist.org, “the first public education act of the American colonies,” called the “Deluder Act” was passed in 1647. The purpose of the act was to ensure that every child would be able to read the Bible for themselves so that they would not be “deluded” by Satan as people had been during the Dark Ages.
“I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. 8The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. 9Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.
“11Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. 12Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. 13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”
~Portions of Jeremiah chapter 2