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First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. -
Gitlow v. New York
Decision made by the Supreme Court that upheld the constitutionality of criminal anarchy statutes. Benjamin Gitlow was charged with attempting to overthrow the government through his publication of "The Left Wing Manifesto". -
Cantwell v. Connecticut
The Supreme Court resolved this issue and stated that no state can place special requirements on people engaged in spreading a religious message. -
West Virginia v. Barnette
Through this case the Supreme Court ruled that students are not required to salute the flag due to violation of their First and Fourtenth Amedement rights. -
Everson v. Board of Education
This case was the first major establishment clause decison, where the Court held that the governement can not aid any one religion or even all religions, but instead must be netural to all religions. -
McCollum v. Board of Education
This case declared setting aside time in school, during school hours for religious instruction was unconstitutional -
Zorach v.Clausen
This case declared that religious education can take place off of school grounds, excusing them to partake in their First Amendement rights. Example, Students today, can gather around the flag pole on school grounds to pray. -
Engle v. Vitale
This case declared by the Supreme Court that, school sponsored prayer and or bible reading violated the establishment clause. -
School Dist, of Abington Township v. Schemp
No state law or school board may require that passages from the bible be read or that the Lord's Prayer be recited in public schools of the state. -
Epperson v. Arkansas
US Supreme Court struck down that antievolution statue under the establishment clause, holding that evolution theory is a science and a state cannot restrict such teaching in favor of a religious preference. -
Lemon v.Kurtzman
Due to this case, The government is not allowed to place the interest of any organization or institution above the interests of the general population. -
Wisconsin v. Yoder
This case exempted the amish children from school attendence after completing the eighth grade school year. The court recognized that education is important but to balance it with a 300 year old religious practice of the amish. -
Stone v. Graham
The Supreme Court declared that it is unconstitutional to require the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools. -
Wallace v. Jaffee
The Supreme Court declard the Alabama law of requiring students to start the school day in a period of silent meditation and prayer unconstitutional. -
Mozer v. Hawkins Cnty. Bd of Education
This case declared that students dont have to participate in education that is aganist their religious beliefs, but this can only happen if the student is required to perform religious exercises or beliefs. -
Lee v. Weisman
The Supreme Court ruled prayer at graduation ceremonies unconstitutional. -
Doe v. Madison Sch. Dist. No 321
The Ninth circuit court upheld the school policy prohibiting school authorities from censoring student speeches. If students are choosen to speak at a ceremony then they can choose any form of speech. -
Altman v. Bedford Cent. Sch. Dist.,
The case ruled that parents can place restrictions on what their child reads if it's offensive to their religious beliefs. Example, Harry Potter. -
Lassonde v. Pleasanton Unified Sch. Dist.,
Ruled that school authorities can maintain control over graduation ceremonies. This means censoring religious speeches to avoid voliating the establishment clause.