Religion & Public Schools
Issues involving religion and education are perennial topics of public debate. In recent years, all three branches of the federal government, as well as many state and local governments, have attempted to clarify the appropriate relationship between religion and public schools. This area of constitutional law is a delicate one, involving both the prohibition on government-sponsored religious expression and the protection of individual religious expression. In addition, the issue of school choice continues to raise questions about public money going to religiously affiliated schools.
Members of various faith traditions often find themselves on opposite sides of issues related to school prayer, the teaching of evolution and creationism, vouchers, the use of school space by religious groups, the recitation of the phrase "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and teaching about religion. While some religious organizations argue that religion has an important role to play in public education, others maintain that a strict wall of separation is needed to protect religion from becoming diluted or being used inappropriately.
The Pew Forum offers a variety of resources that probe the relationship between religion and public schools, including reports, event transcripts, polling data and the latest news.
Resource Pages
Intelligent Design
Pew Forum Resources on Religion & Public Schools
