SHOULD THE CELEBRATION OF RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS IN ANY FORM BE ALLOWED IN

PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

Mike Riley and Holly Whittenburg

Celebrate To observe a day or

commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities; to perform a religious ceremony; to have or participate in a party… (dictionary.com)

Establishment ClauseStates may not sponsor or endorse a religion or religions.

Allegheny County v. Greater Pittsburgh ACLU

Government may acknowledge Christmas as a cultural phenomenon, but under the First Amendment it may not observe it as a Christian holy day

Engel v. Vitale The School District of Abington Township v.

Schempp The Supreme Court struck down a school

prayer as unconstitutional, even though it was nondenominational and participation was voluntary

Coercion can be indirect Compulsory attendance laws

Torcaso v. Watkins The Supreme Court held that

freedom of religion includes the freedom not to believe and that public institutions cannot force people to profess belief, nor can they aid one or all religions

Skoros v. New York No need for religious depictions

when secular depictions will suffice

Stone v. Graham It has been ruled that the Ten

Commandments and the Crucifix violate the Establishment Clause

Should the celebration of religious holidays in any form be allowed in public schools?

Final thoughts Establishment Clause Coercion can be indirect Compulsory attendance laws No need for religious depictions when secular

will do Cannot favor any or all religions