Religion in Public Schools

By jnolin1

  • "old Deluder Satan" Act

    Religious motives in 1647 brought forth the "old Deluder Satan" Act, requiring towns of 50 or more to establish schools for teaching children to read and write. This would enable students to read the Bible.

  • First Amendment

    The First Amendment specified that "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

  • Students Not Required to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance

    In West Virginia v. Barnette, the Supreme Court made it clear that students may not be required to salute the flag if they object to it on the basis of religion or conscience.

  • Establishment Clause

    Everson v. Board of Education was the 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.

  • Religious Instruction Unconstitutional

    Religious instruction in schools was declared unconstitutional. This led to "release-time" religious education, where the instruction took place off school grounds.

  • Prayer/Bible Reading in Public Schools

    The Supreme Court declares that school-sponsored prayer and/or bible reading violates the establishment clause.

  • Three-Part Test (Lemon Test)

    In Lemon v. Kurtzman, the Supreme Court announced a three-part test to evaluate establishment clause. The policy must (1) have a secular purpose, (2) have a primary effect that neither advances nor impedes religion, and (3) avoid excessive entanglement of government with religion.

  • Antievoluation Statute Struck Down

    An Arkansas antievolution statute was struck down, holding that evolution theory is a science and a state cannot restrict such teaching in favor of a religious preference.

  • Posting Ten Commandments Unconstitutional

    The Supreme Court declared a Kentucky law unconstitutional that required the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.

  • Graduation Prayers

    In Lee v. Weisman, in a Rhode Island school district, the Court deemed holding invocations and benedictions at graduation ceremonies as a violation of the establishment clause. Many schools found ways around this by designating graduation ceremonies as a "forum for student expression."