religion and public schools.

[Minnesota]

not sure if i will get my question answered here, but can a public school (specifically in Minnesota) put on a religious play? I thought that all things religion were supposed to stay out of public schools?

[NiceCupOfTea]

It all gets very PC. I'd like to think that my kids could go to a school similar to the one I went to, where we used to do things to celebrate everyones special events. For example, when there was a Jewish celebration, our teachers would do a lesson where we'd all learn about the things behind that, and the same with the Chinese, Islam and Christian kids. Our assemblies would often involve a presentation that a class had prepared, and the kids involved would be from all backgrounds.

[Clanad]

Just a little more information would be helpfull in getting some light shed on your question. Do you mean during school hours or after hours? Do you mean put on by the school or just permiting their use of their facilities? What, exactly do you maen by religious? Thanx...

[Minnesota]

It is a highschool, with highschool students. I would guess that they practise after school and the play is at night or on the weekends so that the town can come.

[Clanad]

In that case, if not sponsored or promoted by the school, they, like other organizations that use the facilities for extra curricular activities not school related, may do so...

[ronniemonda9]

get em before they can think.

[curiosity]

Does it matter?

[jake-the-peg]

To some people it matters very much.

Ironically here in the UK where society is much more secular, religious education and an "act of worship" is actually required by law in schools.

The head teacher of our local primary school was criticized by the inspectors for not doing it.

Religion and the education of children can be a very very volitile subject.

[Hermia]

We didn't have a daily act of worship in our school. The head got out of it because she said the hall was too small for the school to fit in at once. This was true, but it was mainly because it was ridiculous for us to have a Christian assembly when about half of the school weren't Christian. We did have religious plays/assemblies though depending on what festival was going on.