The First Amendment is a part of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and protects several fundamental freedoms, like freedom of speech, press, and religion. The opening lines of the First Amendment state that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” While many people remember the First Amendment for the freedom of speech, the clauses addressing freedom of religion still hold great importance, especially in the context of public schools.
According to Freedom Forum Fellow for Religious Liberty Asma Uddin, “[public schools are] government entities – they’re funded by the government – so they would be covered by the First Amendment. Whereas private schools, because they’re not publicly funded, are not state actors.”
Religious freedom is ratified by two provisions in the First Amendment – the Establishment and the Free Exercise Clause. The Establishment Clause has been interpreted to “prevent the government from either advancing (that is, establishing) or hindering religion, preferring one religion over others, or favoring religion over nonreligion.” This means that religious beliefs should operate separately from the government, and the government should not establish or support any one religion, commonly referred to as the separation of church and state. An example of this is that schools cannot lead a mass prayer or make these prayers mandatory, ensuring neutrality within a school environment and that no student feels left out due to religious beliefs.
On the other hand, the Free Exercise clause protects the rights of “individuals and groups to practice their religion openly and freely without interference from government.” In school settings, this means students can wear religious attires, like hijabs, kippahs, or crosses, or take religious breaks for mandatory prayers during the day or faith-based clubs, as long as these activities don’t disrupt the learning environment.
These clauses work together to balance religious freedom by preventing schools from forcing religion and protecting students’ right to express religion. These protections only apply to public schools, because the government funds them. Private schools are not bound by the same restrictions, since they do not receive government funding. This distinction explains why public schools should carefully navigate religion-related issues to ensure that they comply with the First Amendment and its clauses.
This issue is important because it determines what a school can and cannot do with regard to religion.
“Similarly, but in the context of public schools, it basically sets the parameters of what the school can do and not do,” Uddin said.
As public school students, RNE students are protected by the First Amendment.
This means that schools cannot force students to pray or pressure them to participate in a religion. They cannot have any type of mandatory religious activities for students.
RNE is a diverse school – students from all different walks of life and beliefs go here. It is important that everyone feels represented and comfortable, and that when planning events and activities, students and administration are mindful of different religions and beliefs people hold.
Sometimes, school-run events and assemblies can lean towards supporting or endorsing one particular religion, which more often than not is Christianity.
As states across the country increasingly attempt to include Christianity in the classroom, it is important to remember how diverse our schools are, and why people’s beliefs must be protected and respected.
