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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) .
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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 Clause • States 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