But how is this applicable to public schools? In 1995, a joint statement of current law regarding religion in public schools was published by a variety of religious and civil liberties organizations. This statement served as the basis for U.S. Department of Education guidelines intended to alleviate concerns about constitutional religious activities in schools.

Here are some general rules concerning what school personnel and students may do:

1. Students have the right to pray or to discuss their religious views with their peers so long as they are not disruptive.
2. The history of religion and comparative religion are permissible school subjects so long as the approach is objective and serves a legitimate education purpose.
3. Students may study the role of religion in the history of the United States, and use historic documents such as...