united-states education first-amendment religion school
Is handing out bibles near school property a 1st amendment violation?
<p>Context: There was some random guy handing out pocket bibles on the road path leading out of the school a few weeks ago. I don't think they were on school property, but they were close if that is important. They were holding out bibles, but never forced or asked anyone to take it. They did not show up ever again.</p>
<p>The next day, some kids were arguing that the bible guy was indoctrinating us into their religion.</p>
<p>Given that this guy wasn't an employee of the school, wasn't in the school itself, and that the school was public rather than private, would this be a violation of the 1st amendment of the United States? Specifically the part that states that the government should not promote one religion over another.</p>

<p>The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution does not prohibit people with no affiliation with the government from trying to convert people to their religion in a way not endorsed by a government official or agency.</p>
<p>It could be that there is some content neutral prohibition on strangers accosting young school children if that person is so persistent that it amounts to content neutral harassment, or that the person might actually be a sex offender prohibited from contacting children. But, the facts of the question don't seem to compel this conclusion.</p>
<p>Even if it violates any law to do this, it is not a violation of the U.S. Constitution.</p>

<p><em>&quot;Given that this guy wasn't an employee of the school, and wasn't in the school itself&quot;</em> why would there be a First Amendment violation??</p>
<p>What part of this situation even vaguely looks like &quot;The Government&quot; is promoting religion?</p>
<p>From your description, a private citizen, in a public space (<em>&quot;I don't think they were on school property&quot;</em>) was exercising Free Speech, and was doing so somewhat politely (<em>&quot;never forced or asked anyone to take it.&quot;</em>)</p>
<p>Where is there even a question?  This is <em><strong>obviously</strong></em> protected speech.</p>
