-
THe Massachusetts legislature enacted the famous "Old Deluder Satan" Act. They believed that they could delude Satan and achieve salvation by learning to read the Bible. For this reason they established schools to teach children to learn to read the Bible. These schools were originally protestant but later other religions established schools as well.
-
The Bill of Rights does not mention education but does say that powers not specifically mentioned will rest with the states.
-
In the case of West Virginia v. Barnette it was made illegal to require student sto do these things if a religious or conscientious objection existed.
-
Schools would traditionally set aside time during school for religious instruction. When it was declared unconstitutional the schools adopted "release-time" when they would release the students to go off of school grounds for a time of religious education and the students would come back after that time was over.
-
Outlawed the use of public school facilities for the instruction of students for religious reasons.
-
It is allowed if it is away from school property and without school funding. Also, it must be for at lease one hour per week.
-
In the early 1960s it was ruled that school-sponsored prayer and/or Bible reading was against the Establishment Clause.
-
Abington School District v. Schempp. The court ruled in favor of Schempp and said that it was unconstitutional to read the Bible in schools.
-
The "Wall of Separation" between church and state, as quoted from Thomas Jefferson, had traditionally been used to determine the government's role in education. In 1971 the Supreme Court deceloped a three-part test called the Lemon Test to evaluate the establishment clause in the case of Lemon v. Kurtzman.
-
Wisconsin v. Yoder.
-
A Kentucky law that required the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms was declared unconstitutional. There are some courts that found problems with displaying religious paintings or symbols but have chosen to recognize religious holidays as a way to make sutdents aware of the role of religion in history and our culture.
-
Outlawed the teaching of Creationism in public schools because promotes a certain religion.
-
Lee vs. Weisman.
-
It is against the Establishment Clause to teach Intelligent design because it is associated with a particular religious view.
-
It is against the Establishment Clause for students to pray at football games.
