Title: Your Right to Religious Freedom | American Civil Liberties Union
Headings: Your Right to Religious Freedom
Your Right to Religious Freedom
WHAT IS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM EXACTLY?
HOW DO YOU KNOW THE GOVERNMENT IS "ESTABLISHING RELIGION"?
IS IT CONSTITUTIONAL TO TEACH RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
CAN MY TEACHER START THE DAY OR A MEETING WITH PRAYER?
CAN MY SCHOOL HAVE PRAYERS AT GRADUATION?
WHAT IF WE PUT IT TO A VOTE?
IS IT EVER OK TO PRAY IN SCHOOL?
IS IT OK TO CELEBRATE RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
WHAT ABOUT RELIGIOUS CLUBS OR BIBLE DISTRIBUTION?

Content: IS IT CONSTITUTIONAL TO TEACH RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS? No. The public schools are run by the government. Therefore, they must obey the First Amendment. This means that while they can teach about the influences of religion in history, literature, and philosophy -- they can't promote religious beliefs or practices as part of the curriculum. Since private and parochial schools aren't run by the government, the First Amendment doesn't apply to them. Also, students can be excused from some school activities if they conflict with their religious beliefs. CAN MY TEACHER START THE DAY OR A MEETING WITH PRAYER? No. Prayers, scriptural readings, and loudspeaker devotionals violate the First Amendment because they promote religion.