The controversial topic dealing with religion in public schools has been an ongoing on for many years now. Whether or not Bibles should be permitted in the classroom, whether praying is allowed or not allowed, if religious or anti-religious T-shirts should be acceptable, all those sorts of things. When prayer was outlawed in public classrooms a few years back, it compromised the rights found in the first amendment of the Constitution. Since this incident, state and school officials seem to have come to the consensus that the facts and practices of various religions may be taught just as any other subject. Teachers must keep this discussion strictly factual though to avoid any sort of preaching or testimonial. Religious gatherings and small groups are to be treated just as any other extracarricular activity so long as none of the school staff encourages or discourages the behavior. "Public schools can neither foster religion nor preclude it. Our public schools must treat religion with fairness and respect and vigorously protect religious expression as well as the freedom of conscience of all other students. In so doing our public schools reaffirm the First Amendment and enrich the lives of their students" says Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley.
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