Religion As A School Subject

The subject of religion and public schooling is a tricky issue at very best. The controversies on the subject vary far and wide or as many as the objections or affirmations can range from. The federal government does maintain guidelines as to how this subject can be handled, always falling back on the First Amendment as its source of reference. Local school authorities have "substantial discretion" to impose rules of order but may not structure the rules to discriminate against religious activity or speech. Students may attempt to persuade peers about religious topics as they would any other topics, but schools should stop such speech that constitutes harassment. Students may participate in before- or after-school events with religious content, such as "see-you-at-the-flagpole" gatherings, on the same terms they can participate in other noncurricular activities on school premises.

Teachers and administrators are prohibited from either encouraging or discouraging religious activity and from participating in such activity with students.

Public schools may not provide religious instruction but may teach about religion. Students may express their beliefs about religion in homework, artwork and other written and oral assignments. The work should be judged by ordinary academic standards and against other "legitimate pedagogical concerns." Students may distribute religious literature on the same terms other literature unrelated to curriculum can be distributed.

Religion is a strong part of history so it is automatic that it would arise as a subject but only as a subject not pertaining the necessities of education but the doctrines of any one particular religion or faith should be treated as an elective and not a mandatory subject.