Religion in the Public Schools

Teachers may not participate in religious activities or advocate any particular religious view when they are teaching, counseling students, or acting as representatives of a school. Teachers should not share their personal religious views with students, but if a teacher’s religious views are discussed with students, the students must not be encouraged by the teacher to accept those views or practices as their own.  A school can ask a teacher not to express religious viewpoints in the classroom, with schools having the right to stop teachers from giving the impression that it endorses a particular religion. The Unites States Constitution requires that a state-supported activity, such as a public school, not to be used for religious indoctrination. When acting in their official capacities, teachers and school administrators are prohibited from encouraging or soliciting student religious or anti-religious activity, or engaging in any religious activity with their students, but teachers are allowed to have private religious activity in their free time. Some courts have upheld state statutes that restrict teachers from wearing religious clothing, in order to remain religiously neutral, and not to appear to endorse a particular religion. Teachers are permitted to wear religious jewelry such as cross necklaces, and stars of David. Teachers have the same rights as any individual, when students are not present, such as when they are in a break room, or in their class room after hours.  Teachers may participate in activities of religious organizations at their school after hours, as individuals rather than as school representatives, but they must make it clear that the school and government are not endorsing the activity.   

In light of this information, public schools are clearly not religion-free zones and student’s religious rights cannot be ignored, nor trampled on by public school officials. Public schools should be neutral and never antagonistic toward students’ expressions of religious faith. The relationship between religion and government is governed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, which also protects religious activity that is initiated by students and other individuals from any government interference and discrimination.

For another great article by this author:

Assertive Discipline for Christian Teachers in the Classroom

http://relijournal.com/christianity/assertive-discipline-for-christian-teachers-in-the-classroom/