Focuses on important issues surrounding the opening clauses of the First Amendment on the establishment of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Includes articles: "Established Churches in Colonial Times,""Establishment Clause: Here's How to Understand it!", "Religious Freedom and Today's Religious…

Examines recent Supreme Court opinions to illustrate how the justices are reinterpreting the First Amendment. Discusses student freedom of expression, freedom of religion, the free exercise clause, and the establishment clause. Concludes that a perceived trend in court decisions to limit freedom of religion and expression requires teachers to help…

Since the advent of the "Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms", the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) has rendered judgments in four cases where individual educational stakeholders have alleged violations of their constitutional rights. In three of the cases, "R. v. Jones", "Eaton v. Brant County Board of Education",…

Darwinian evolution is accepted by the great majority of scientists as the method by which the diversity of earth's organisms, including humans, evolved. Current research continues to expand our knowledge of evolutionary mechanisms. However, certain religious groups, supporting teaching the creation of earth's species as outlined in Genesis…

This report provides an overview of church-state conflict incidents that occurred in the United States from September 1990 through August 1991. The report was compiled by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, an organization concerned with the potential erosion of the First Amendment's requirement of separation of church and state.…

The growing movement for teaching about religion in the public schools, as distinguished from religious instruction or devotional exercises, reflects widespread concern regarding the phenomenon of religious illiteracy and the lack of knowledge or understanding of the significant role played by religion in U.S. life, past and present, and in world…

In light of two cases soon to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court--"Bob Jones University v. United States" and "Goldsboro Christian Schools, Inc. v. United States"--this monograph discusses the issue of freedom of religion and racially discriminatory private religious schools. After noting the statutory basis of tax-exempt…

Advocating the complete separation of church and state, the author outlines the history of the present debate over the school-religion controversy. Includes a detailed discussion of interpretations of the First Amendment (especially the establishment clause) and Supreme Court decisions relating to the issue. (MD)

This document presents witness testimonies addressing faith-based charities that offer critically needed social services through publicly funded and professionally managed programs. Specifically, the hearing discusses the possibility of extensive expansion of government involvement in faith-based charities, and some of the legal and policy…

National Labor Relations Board jurisdiction over church related schools is examined in light of the constitutional guidelines for governmental interference with religious institutions. (BH)

In its "Catholic Bishop" decision, the Court was unfaithful to the National Labor Relations Act's language and legislative history and also to the Court's own precedent. Available from Law Quarterly, School of Law, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130. (Author/IRT)

This article maintains that National Labor Relations Board regulation of parochial schools and teachers impermissibly intrudes on the decision-making processes that the First Amendment has committed to private individuals and institutions. Available from Duquesne Law Review, 901 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219; sc…

The exercise of jurisdiction by the National Labor Relations Board does not intrude unconstitutionally on those interests of the employer protected by the First Amendment. Available from the William and Mary Law Review, Marshall-Wythe School of Law, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185; sc $3.00. (Author/IRT)

In "Mergens," the Supreme Court ruled that the Equal Access Act was constitutional and that students at a high school with a "limited open forum" could participate in a prayer club. Provides a chronology of First Amendment and Equal Access Act cases; advises school boards about policy issues; and lists the availability of a…

The Supreme Court's finding that the University of Virginia acted unconstitutionally in denying funds to students for a Christian newspaper not directly affiliated with a church raises new questions about legal issues of church-state separation and the allocation of student fees. Some legal experts feel the ruling could spell the demise of campus…