2016-07-27
News
Commentary
Supreme Court Cases
Discussions

News Stories on Beliefnet:
  • Moment of Silence Stands
    The Supreme Court rejected a challenge in Virginia to a mandated moment of silence
    October 29, 2001

  • Classrooms Open to Faith Groups
    Supreme Court upholds right of evangelical Christian group to meet after hours in public school classrooms.
    June 12, 2001

  • Supreme Court Justices Debate Good News Club Case
    High-court tackles politically charged issue of what constitutes religious worship in public school settings.
    February 28, 2001

  • Church Leaders Urge Students to Gather for Legal School Prayer
    Christian groups assert that certain prayer activities are still permitted, despite the Supreme Court's recent decision
    September 20, 2000

  • Prayer Protest Drowned Out at School
    Few recite Lord's Prayer at Texas school at center of Supreme Court ban on sanctioned football game prayers
    September 2, 2000
  • Pagan Group Wants Equal Time
    The Appalachian Pagan Alliance applied to hold a "We Still Work Magic" rally at the high school stadium where Christians staged a "We Still Pray" rally
    August 31, 2000
  • "Spontaneous Prayer" Guerrilla Movement Set to Challenge Supreme Court Ban
    Christians urged to recite Lord's prayer before high school football games' kick-off
    August 24, 2000
  • "Spontaneous" Prayer Sidesteps Court
    High school students plan to recite Lord's Prayer at football games
    August 23, 2000
  • Complaints About Prayers Lead to Clashes With Neighbors
    Southern hospitality evaporated after he complained about Christian prayers and an evangelism program at the local high school
    June 16, 2000
  • Texas Town Rethinking School Prayer
    Santa Fe schools chief says board will consult attorneys before deciding what to do in wake of Supreme Court ruling
    June 20, 2000
  • High Court Limits Student Prayers at School Football Games
    The decision is a crushing defeat for school-prayer advocates and could extend far beyond public school sports events
    June 19, 2000
  • Commentary on Beliefnet:

  • Justice for All
    Even mentioning God in the Pledge of Allegiance can ostracize some. By Jonathan Zimmerman
  • Separation, Not Dismissal
    A study shows that Americans have a greater appetite for public religion than the government allows. By Richard Land
  • Stand and Pray
    In the South, prayer before football games will go on. By Christine Wicker
  • "As If They Had Cursed"
    Is invoking God in public before a football game constitutional? By Richard Land
  • What Kids and Their Parents Tell Me About Prayer in Schools
    The Santa Fe case is a "symptom of a greater problem and the beginnings of Christian prejudice." By Dawson McAllister
  • Supreme Court Cases:

  • Good News Club vs. Milford Central School
    June 12, 2001
    Decision: Milford's restriction violates the Club's free speech rights. The Club has a legal right to hold meetings after school hours in public school classrooms.

  • Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe
    June 19, 2000
    Decision: The District's policy permitting student-led, student-initiated prayer at football games violates the Establishment Clause.
  • Lee v. Weisman
    June 24, 1992
    Decision: Including clergy who offer prayers as part of an official public school graduation ceremony is forbidden by the Establishment Clause.
  • Wallace v. Jaffree
    June 4, 1985
    Decision: Minute of silence law in Alabama violates the First Amendment.
  • Abington School District v. Schempp
    June 17, 1963
    Decision: The requirement that passages from the Bible be read or that the Lord's Prayer be recited in the public schools of a state at the beginning of each school day is outlawed.
  • Engel v. Vitale
    June 25, 1962
    Decision: State officials may not compose an official state prayer and require that it be recited in the public schools of the state at the beginning of each school day.
  • Discussions:

  • See You at the Pole?
  • Rally for Thor!
  • Prayer at Football Games
  • Santa Fe Decision
  • more from beliefnet and our partners