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Old Deluder Saten Law
Children could read their Bible in school. -
School establishment
The first publically supported schools in America were established due to religious motives. -
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibity free exercise -
Dr. Rush Bible as a textbook
Dr. Ben Rush signer of the Declaration of Independence published the Bible as a school textbook. -
American Teacher Union/ Bible
American teacher union announces that schools should continue the practice of teaching morals from the Bible because schools were being turned over to the various states from the Christian churches. -
Scopes Trial: Tennessee v. Scopes
A landmark American legal case in 1925 in which a high school biology teacher, John Scopes, was accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act which made it unlawful to teach evolution. He was found guilty, but overturned on a technicality and he was never brought back to trial. Religion was consistent with evolution. -
West Virginia vs. Barnette
The phrase "under God" probably does not violate the establishment clause, but no Supreme Court decision has been made on this matter. However, students and teachers may be excused from saluting the flag if they object to it on the basis of religion or conscience. -
Everson vs. Board of Education
First major establishment clause decision, wherein the Court held that the government cannot aid any one religion or even all religions, but instead must be neutral toward religion. -
Accomadating Students' Religious Beliefs
Schools set aside time during school hours for religious instruction. This was declared unconstitutional in 1948. This arrangment was upheld in 1952 and is practiced in many school districts even today. While this accommodation is legal, many teachers find that it disrupts their planned instructional programs. -
Engel v. Vitale
Engel v. Vitale, (1962), was a landmark United States Supreme Court case that determined that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and require its recitation in public schools. -
Stone vs. Graham
In 1985, the Supreme Court declared a Kenrtucky law unconstitutional that required the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. -
Equal Access Act
Under the federal "Equal Access Act" o 1984, publicly funded schools allowing extracurricular based clubs must also allow students to form religious extracurricular clubs -
May 28, 1985 Wallace v. Jaffee
The Supreme Court struck down a law in Alabama that added "voluntary prayer" to a statute that already existed that authorized a period for msilent meditation. This insert showed an intent to encourage the kids to pray. -
Graduation Prayers
In Rhode Island, it was declared unconstitutional by the Court as a violation of the establishment clause to invite members of the clergy to deliver invocations and benedictions at graduation ceremonies. -
Good News Club v Milford Cnetral School
Supreme Court ruled that schools must allow outside religious groups to use their facilities during non-school hours if they provide the same use to other non- school organizations.
