Watch your Public Schools

If you have children in the public schools it is important to keep an eye on how teachers and administrators are behaving. Your kids will likely tell you about any attempts to introduce prayer, creationism, or other forms of religion into the classroom.

The law is pretty solidly against teacher-led prayer in class and even student-led prayer at school functions. So it would be a rare occasion that anyone would attempt to get away with that. It is the job of parents, not the public school system, to oversee the religious/philosophical upbringing of children. Public schools should not sponsor prayer, Bible reading or other forms of religious worship; this is a violation of parental rights. School officials should not meddle in students’ personal religious lives. Since no formal school prayer could honor the tenets of all the religions practiced in the U.S., as well as various denominational differences, prayer is better left in the home and religious institution of the individual student’s choice. School prayer would usurp the role of parents and religious institutions who desire to provide instruction in keeping with their own beliefs.

Creationism has returned in the form of "intelligent design" in more than one district across the country. The first court case involving the teaching of "intelligent design" was a victory for separationists and for quality education but don't be surprised if another attempt is made to pass this off as science education. The latest strategy is demanding equal time for other "theories". When ID advocates ask for time in science classes, they are no different than other creationists who want to preach a religious message to students. In 1987 the Supreme Court issued a decision in Edwards v. Aguillard that struck down a Louisiana law that required public schools to offer “balanced treatment” between evolution and creationism. No federal court has ever upheld school-sponsored religious indoctrination.

Be sure that your school system affords you the same rights and opportunities as the religious children. If there is a Christian group that meets at school, you can have an atheist group. If students have christian fish symbols on clothes or jewelry, you can wear Darwin fish or FSM jewelry. If the Gideons are permitted to hand out Bibles OUTSIDE of the school building, then you can recruit for FFRF membership.

Be sure your kids are aware of what constitutes a violation of the establishment clause as those laws pertain to conduct in school.
Join the school board to keep fanatical religious influence out.