Religion and Public Schools 1

Religion and Public Schools

College of Southern Nevada

Kelsey Crouch
Religion and Public Schools 2

Introduction

Under the instruction of Bill Ward, principal, Karen White, kindergarten teacher, was

recommended for her dismissal after acquiring the faith with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. White

would no longer celebrate holidays, decorate for such things, sing happy birthday to her students,

or recite the pledge of allegiance. The parents of these students protested based on her

ineffectively meeting the needs of her students.

Was it Lawful? Yes.

In the Engle v. Vitale case, a school in New York required public schools to open each

day with the Pledge of Allegiance and a nondenominational prayer in which the students

recognized their dependence upon God, all according to the state law. Also, the law allowed

students to absent themselves from this activity if they found it objectionable. A parent sued on

behalf of his child, arguing that the law violated the “Establishment Clause of the First

Amendment, as made applicable to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth

Amendment.” (Martin) If it is allowed for students to be able to sit out during these activities,

why would this law be an exception to teachers? White could argue that forcing her to do

something against her religion was unconstitutional. Noted that wars, persecutions, and other

destructive measures often arose in the past when the government involved itself in religious

affairs.

In the Bannon v. Palm Beach County case, a school beautification project at a religiously

diverse public school turned into a controversial debate. To beautify the school, students were

invited to paint murals on the panels. The school did not specifically prohibit students from

expressing religious views. The school did, however, instruct students that their artwork could
Religion and Public Schools 3

not be profane or offensive to anyone. “The principal explained his deposition saying that the

expression in the student’s murals interfered with the operation of the school” and they were

asked to take it down. (Shults) If White considers prayer and other such things to be offensive, it

cannot violate the first amendment by not expressing them in her classroom.

Was it Lawful? No.

In the Lee v. Weisman case, it was decided that school-sponsored prayer at graduation

exercises violated the Establishment Clause. Even though many of the students were religious, it

was not allowed. School and religion are separate. If students are being kept from doing what

they believe in, why would White be allowed to do what she believes in a school setting? Being

a teacher we must respect all students, including their religious beliefs. According to this court

case, I believe the court would rule with the parents of the students of White.

In the Stone v. Graham case, the Supreme Court held that requiring the Ten

Commandants be displayed in the classroom was unconstitutional. It was felt as if they were

endorsing the religion rather than just promoting a spiritual belief. White, although wanting to

keep the standards of her new faith, was in good intent but it has probable cause of promoting

her religion which is against the law.

Conclusion

With the information provided, I believe that Whites actions were unlawful. Teaching is a

huge responsibility. They do just that; teach. We need to respect every religion. If they sing, we

sing. If they don’t, we don’t. We need to be flexible and considerate. Personally, I am a respecter

of all religion. It was a huge reason we fled England and came to the Americas. The right to have

a freedom of religion is great, I believe we need to respect that for everyone.

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References

Martin, J. (n.d.). Facts and Case Summary - Engel v. Vitale. Retrieved March 04, 2016, from .

…http://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/facts-and-case

summary-engel-v-vitale

Ranger, T. R. (n.d.). FindLaw's United States Eleventh Circuit case and opinions. Retrieved …

March 04, 2016, from http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-11th-circuit/1302084.html

Shults. (n.d.). FindLaw's United States Eleventh Circuit case and opinions. Retrieved March 04,.

2016, from http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-11th-circuit/1302084.html

Underwood, J., & Webb, L. D. (2006). School law for teachers: Concepts and applications. .

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.