Having Religion in school is NOT unconstitutional?
470954
True, it doesn't say verbatim "seperation between church and state", however that somes up the 1st amendment nicely.\n\nHow would you teach a specific religion in a public school and not consider that to be a favoring a specific religion above all others?
674986
religion doesn't belong in school
471326
Not in state-funded schools--separation of church and state should be strictly enforced.  In religious-run institutions, they should do whatever they want.  If a student didn't want the religious instruction, they could go somewhere else.  In my perfect world.
246699
I think a bigger question or a different approach is " does it hurt the student's actions. And what religion are you talking about? If it's Christianity then how can the teaching of love, morals, respect, and humility hurt? Religious classes shouldn't be forced in school but it could be an elective.
826772
we still have that "freedom of religion" thing still in the constitution, don't we?
383578
Hmm... I don't really think there is a war against Christians in public school. The christians in my school were allowed to pray and they even have an afternoon school prayer group. \n\nMost people think that the government made prayer in schools illegal but in reality you can still pray in schools. They just didn't make it mandatory for people to pray in school which is good because in public school there are a variety of people with a variety of religions and that should be respected.
554192
Depends on the school and the nature of the symbol / display.\n\nIf a public school, the teacher should be able to wear religious symbols, and have personal religious items in their personal space (i.e. their desks, offices, etc.). They have the right to freely practice their religion, and this does not infringe upon others' rights.\n\nIf the class is about religions & religious philosophies, then as appropriate to the discussion and subject.\n\nBut a teacher should not turn their non-religious subject classroom into a religious billboard. That would be wrong.\n\nBut too much religious intolerance is being allowed. You have no right to prevent others from practicing their religion, or displaying their religious symbols in their own space.
743752
The previous answers are either, vague or incorrect. The bottom line on current judicial thinking is as follows:\n\nPer the "Establishment Clause," it is unlawful for schools to initiate any form of prayer in schools or at school events, such as graduations or sporting events, etc.\n\nPer the "Free Exercise Clause," students are free to pray at school, and organize non-faculty-led prayer or Bible study groups. They may even request the use of school facilities for these meetings, as the Supreme Court has ruled that these groups have as legitimate a claim as any other student organization like Junior Achievement or the Chess Club.\n\nI hope this helps
868660
It should not be used to guide policy or legislation, nor should the government be in the business of suggesting preference for one set of religious beliefs over another.  The Constitution also states that no religious test should be required to hold public office.  I just wish the voters themselves would follow that precedent rather than waiting to see who throws out the most references to God or Jesus in campaign speeches.
111574
Kids can still pray in school.  They just can't be forced to, and they're not given a designated time to do it during the school day.  If prayer were forbidden in school, I would never get through a day of teaching!  I find it sad that moments of silence have been removed from schools b/c it's nice to have a small moment at the beginning of the day to collect your thoughts, pray, or zone out.  Nothing can stop a person from having a personal relationship with God.
828865
I don't think it'd be a particularly bad thing for there to be a religion course in public schools.  Religion is a huge part of modern society, and to be ignorant of (or worse, prejudiced about!) it is to lack understanding of a key factor in today's world.  You just can't fully understand events in Iran, Saudi Arabia, India, England, Tibet, Israel, France, Norway, the United States, or a myriad of other nations if you don't understand religion.  As for which religions should be taught, it should naturally be all the major ones, not just Christianity.
712526
Employment law makes it illegal to force your employees into religious observance. So, if you are required to be there, then they are breaking federal law, regardless of whether this is a school or another work place. I would suggest to the principal that if he wants to have a private religious gathering for staff on a voluntary basis, he does so at some other location or time.
909267
Public schools in America do not teach the theology of or endorse any religion. You can go to private religious schools which have special classes each day dedicated to the religion it's founded upon.\n\nIn public school, however, you may be taught the history of and the social issues surrounding major religions in a World Cultures class. I took a class in high school that taught the stories of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam from a purely historical pov.
665073
I think that Kathryn is right in that if parents want their children to have a religious education, they should have that right in a private school.  After all, if it's okay to homeschool kids, why can't you have schools that teach the same values there?  It's not state supported, and the parents pay for the privelage.  Of course, it's harder on poor students, but I don't see too much way around that.\n\nPublic schools, however, should not be a place for teaching religion, unless perhaps as a neutral 'World Religions' class.  This is because we want to promote the idea that everyone has the right to their own personal beliefs.  Furthermore, if one specific religion is taught in a public school, the state is promoting that one over any other - not only through speach, but also with money.  By promoting one, it is essentially repressing the others, possibly even promoting prejudice towards the followers of that religion.  Schools should not repress religion - it should be okay to write a paper on a religion topic if you should so choose and have it treated as any other, for example - but neither should it be promoted.  \n\nNon-believing, i.e. atheism, is not neutral.  Choosing to definitively NOT believe in God is just as much a personal, unprovable belief as definitively choosing TO believe in God.  Teaching atheism is therefore also unacceptable.  Schools should try to avoid the topic entirely, and leave it to the private sphere.
755436
Religion should only EVER be allowed in schools when ALL religions are being taught to ALL students.  Then perhaps people may understand another's point of view a little more readily.  Other than that, it's outright OFFENSIVE to force one religion onto all children in school.  This should never, ever happen in a "cilvilized" society...it's outrageous.
1165493
I think a lot of children are indoctrinated from birth.  Here's the thing, though:  It seems unfair to me to force your faith on a child.  It seems to be better for everyone if there is no religion in school or government, and that is just on a basic freedoms level.  What if there was a state-mandated religion, and you were in the wrong one?  What then?  I think that children should be free to learn about religion and spirituality, but never, ever forced to it.  And with the keeping religion out of schools, I should clarify.  I have no problem with extracurricular clubs, elective courses, or even a moment ofsilence at the beginning of the day.  I don't care if children pray throughout the day, as long as it isn't disruptive.  I just don't want a teacher to be able to tell my children what they think the true religion is, or having creationism part of science class.  My kids kind of lean toward not believing in God, and that's fine.\n\n\nedit:\n\nMarcia L. is clueless.
117581
It is a subject is many private schools. I think it is wonderful to have a choice.\n\nIt does tick me off that children can't even say the Pledge of Allegance anymore because of "Under God"....I wonder if the people upset about that still spend money.."In God We Trust"?