ACLU Religious Freedom Goes to School: The Pop Quiz

A teacher leads her kindergarten class in prayer every day before lunch. Several parents believe that they, not the government, should direct their children’s religious education and worship. They object to the teacher-led prayer. The teacher instead picks a new student each day to lead the prayer. Kindergarteners selected to lead the prayer may decline to do so if they do not feel comfortable. The prayer is permissible under the U.S. Constitution?

A school-day assembly features a youth minister who preaches to students and a rock band that performs religious songs. Several atheist students do not feel comfortable attending the assembly because it will include prayer and promote religion. They are told that they can watch a movie instead. The assembly violates religious freedom under the U.S. Constitution?

A Muslim student wants to read the Q’uran to herself during recess. The school principal forbids it because Islam promotes religious beliefs different than his own. The principal’s decision is permissible under the U.S. Constitution?

Members of the basketball team decide to gather in the locker room before each game to pray. Coaches and school officials do not have any role in organizing the prayer, and they do not participate in it. The prayer is permissible under the U.S. Constitution?

Twice a year, school officials allow a local religious group to come into class during the homeroom period to hand out Bibles to students. Students who do not want to accept a Bible may remain seated when their row is called to the front of the room. The Bible distribution violates religious freedom under the U.S. Constitution?

Before the kickoff for every football game, an announcer asks audience members to bow their heads and then delivers a prayer over the loudspeaker. The prayer is permissible under the U.S. Constitution?

A high school allows student clubs (e.g., the Chess Club, the Volunteer Club) to form and meet at lunchtime. When a group of Christian students asks to start a club, school officials reject the request because they say they do not have enough room for another club to meet at lunch. The decision violates religious freedom under the U.S. Constitution?

After presenting a lesson on evolution (as required by the state science standards), a biology teacher discusses her belief that evolution cannot be true because it conflicts with the Bible’s creation story. She then presents a brief video about the theory of intelligent design. The teacher’s discussion and video are permissible under the U.S. Constitution?

A high school holds a vote each year on whether to have prayer at graduation. If students vote in favor of prayer, they are allowed to select the prayergiver. The prayergiver’s prayer may refer only to God generally. The prayer may not refer to Jesus or the Bible, or include any language that is specific to any particular faith. The prayer is permissible under the U.S. Constitution?

After a local tragedy, a school posts a copy of the Ten Commandments in its main hallway to remind students to act morally. The Ten Commandments display violates religious freedom under the U.S. Constitution?