f religion, comparative religion, the Bible (or other scripture)-as-literature, and the role of religion in the history of the United States and other countries all are permissible public school subjects. Similarly, it is permissible to consider religious influences on art, music, literature, and social studies. Although public schools may teach about religious holidays, including their religious aspects, and may celebrate the secular aspects of holidays, schools may not observe holidays as religious events or promote such observance by students (Alley, 2000).Teachers have the right to teach values. Though schools must be neutral with respect to religion, they may play an active role with respect to teaching civic values and virtue, and the moral code that holds us together as a community. The fact that some of these values are held also by religions does not make it unlawful to teach them in school (Doherty, 2001) Teachers may not lead a bible club. According to the Equal Access Act, schools may require student-initiated clubs to have a teacher sponsor. Schools may require a sponsor of religious clubs only if the same requirements are imposed on secular clubs. According to the Equal Access Act, the provision of a school sponsor, whether an employee, agent, or otherwise, does not mean that the school endorses the club. A teacher or other school employee as the agent of the school may be present at a religious meeting in a "non-participatory" capacity. This "non-participatory" attendance means that the teacher or school employee should not actively lead or direct the group. The club must be student-initiated and student-led (Alley, 2000).Teachers may not discuss creationism, or divine origins in place of, or at the same level as evolution. In the Edwards v. Aquillard case, in 1987, the court states, “Court finds state law requiring equal treatment for creationism has a religious purpose and is therefore unconstitutional (R...
