Chapter 8 Religious Diversity and the Public School System

“The world (a)   is not defined in the Constitution,” and therefore, we must look to other sources for its meaning, “nowhere more appropriately, we think, than to the history of the times in the midst of which the provision was adopted.”

What did our founding fathers mean? Spirit of amendment derived from...

• A desire to protect the rights of the various faction of the Christian church. 

• Private and religious organizations ran the school.

• Protect praise and worship.

• Follow everythin.

Education in Colonial Times was

• The crisis of how to regulate religious activities in the public school was an issue.

• stand to religious expression anywhere in society.

• Education was a state program.

• The crisis of how to regulate religious activities in the public school system was not an issue.

Prevent the government from favoring one religious expression over another.

• Free Exercise Clause

• Establishment Clause 

Aimed at preserving an individual’s right to religious expression.

• Free Exercise Clause 

• Establishment Clause

Right to express religious belief in homework, artwork, written and oral assignment

• Bush Administration

• Clinton Administration

• Both

Public school systems may not provide religious instructions

• Both

• Bush Administration

• Clinton Administration

Neutral role of teachers and admin in leading or participating in the religious activity with students

• Clinton Administration

• Bush Administration 

• Both 

Cannot be mandated by school administrators or teachers. Such an attempt to propagate religion would be a considerable departure from the government's neutrality posture. A moment of silence may be observed, and students may opt to pray or not pray during this time.

• Prayers in Athletic Events

• Morning Prayer

• Prayers at Graduation Ceremonies

Students reserve the right to initiate such prayers, but they cannot mandate to do so by the school leadership.

• Prayers at graduation ceremonies

• Prayers in Athletic Events

• Morning Prayers

• Prayers at Sports Event