"I believe the First Amendment, as it is presently written, permits the American people to do what they need to." (Clinton, Bill).
-President Clinton.
The battle for religious freedom in public schools has recently been a major topic. Some fight for religious rights to be furthered, arguing that too much of God has been taken from the public school system. Others argue that religious freedoms are much too loose in public schools and that religion should be totally left behind when entering government property. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled for and against both sides of the debate on many issues, but there is truly no longer a problem. The law, as it is, currently supplements all religious needs of all parties within the public school.
In 1962, in the case of Engel v. Vatale, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that all government sponsored religious activities be removed from public schools.(Kussrow) Prior to that ruling there were massive amounts of protest, but the Supreme Court held fast to its decision that government sponsored religious activity was in violation of the Constitution. Despite protests the Supreme Court strengthened its constraint in subsequent years through further restrictions in 1963, 1980, 1985, 1989. (Risinger).
In April, 1995, a breakthrough was made in terms of what was and wasn't .
Pg.2 HJFL .
allowed religiously in public schools. Over thirty-five different religious organizations .
and experts collaborated to for "A Joint Statement of Current Law". In this statement, .
which was approved of by United States Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley, nearly .
every aspect debatable is discussed and presented with its legalities. (Riley)/(Religion).
There are many singularly debatable issues contained under the collected banner of religion in public schools. Each one of these issues has two sides arguing to further or lessen religious integration within that issue. When closely inspected, nearly every one of these issues is currently satisfied by current law as will be seen in the a latter portion of this paper.
