Title: When Are Faith and Religion Allowed in Public Schools? | Teach 4 the Heart
Headings: When Are Faith and Religion Allowed in Public Schools?
When Are Faith and Religion Allowed in Public Schools?
What Does the Constitution Say?
What does it mean to “establish” a religion?
Students’ Rights
How to Legally Share Your Faith in the Public School
Resources for Further Study

Content: The focus is on the phrase “establishment of religion.” We discussed in detail last week in this article that this phrase was never intended to keep religion out of the government but was instead intended to keep the government out of religion. But, none the less, the court ruling in the ‘60’s changed how this phrase is applied now in the public school system. So let’s translate this into what it means now in your classroom. According to current interpretation, you as a public school teacher are an agent of the government and are not allowed to establish a religion. What does it mean to “establish” a religion? You are not allowed, for example, to have an altar call, baptize students, or lay hands on a student and pray out loud in Jesus’ name. You may not try to convert a student to your religious views or teach that your beliefs are the only correct ones. These are distinct religious practices and are considered “establishing a religion.” Students’ Rights
At the same time, you are not allowed to inhibit the expression of religion either.