Date of Award

4-1-1998

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Teacher Education

First Advisor

Dr. Eugene Freund

Second Advisor

Dr. Wilma Kuhlman

Third Advisor

Dr. Frank Brasile

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the American judicial system in answering four specific issues concerning religion and the American. public schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. These four issues include (1) prayer in public schools, (2) the teaching of the theory ot evolution versus creation, (3) religious ceremony at public school graduation, and (4) public school facilities for religious use. Specifically, with respect to these four issues, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that (I) it is unconstitutional to have prayer in public schools, (2) it is unconstitutional to teach the theory of creation in public schools; however, it is not unconstitutional to teach the theory of evolution, (3) it is unconstitutional to have a religious ceremony at public school graduation, and (4) it is unconstitutional for public schools to discriminate against religious organizations when renting the school facilities for religious use. Additionally, issues concerning for and against the teaching of and about religion in public schools are discussed. The investigation concludes that religion should not be a part of the American democratic and pluralistic public education system. Religion, instead, is best left to the homes, families, churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples since religion is a highly personal and sensitive issue that should rest with individual interests, values, beliefs, and family traditions.

Comments

A Thesis Presented to the Department of Teacher Education and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts University of Nebraska at Omaha. Copyright 1998 Robert Nguyen

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