Report from the Capital, the monthly publication of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Freedom is an invaluable source of information about issues of separation of church and state in America. I confess my dependence on the BJCRF as I write this column.

Over and over public schools are the battlefield on which issues of separation of church and state are argued.

As the new school year begins, we are again aware of the tensions among religious organizations, public schools and other groups about religious practices that take place in public schools. Too many teachers, school administrators, parents and religious organizations believe the lie that God has been thrown out of the public schools. Too many teachers, school administrators, parents and religious organizations believe the lie that God should be thrown out of the public schools. These are lies that are asserted very carelessly and leave the public without a reasonable understanding of the appropriate and constitutional role of religion in public schools. First Amendment rights protect the freedom of people to express their religion in all areas of public life, including public schools. First Amendment requirements also prohibit government advancement of religion. It is a fine line that must be drawn, and the final line is yet to be drawn.

Every year new court cases are initiated in order to define more clearly the rules that govern the practice of religion in public schools. At this time there are important court cases in Florida, Texas, Illinois and Missouri that seek to further define what religious practices can and what religious practices cannot take place in public schools.

Typically, most such cases never make news outside of a particular school district, unless they are moved to higher courts and eventually selected for consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Because of court rulings, the practice of religion in public schools is better defined than ever. The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Freedom has published a guide to religious liberty in public schools. Every school superintendent, every school principal and every teacher would be well-served to read and digest the five guidelines that have been laid out by BJCRF.

Students may pray in school. Prayer is a Constitutional right. Prayers should avoid the appearance of being school-endorsed. Silent or audible prayers can be initiated by students, but can never be disruptive. School-sponsored prayer is never allowed.

Students can wear religious clothing and accessories. Religious messages on clothing are permissible just as other messages are allowed. There is no legal difference between “Jesus Saves” and “McCain for President.” If a school policy prohibits all clothing with words and symbols, that rule applies to religious words and symbols as well. However, if words and symbols are allowed, then the same permission is given for religious words and symbols.

Religious groups of students can meet on school grounds. Events that are student initiated and led can be held when classes are not in session. Schools are required to give religious groups the same access to school rooms and spaces as are given to other groups that are not related to school curriculum. Students cannot force a captive audience to participate in a religious exercise. School personnel cannot encourage or discourage participation in religious groups and events.

Teachers can talk about and teach about God and Christianity or any other religious faith. Public schools may teach about any and all religions when appropriate in a particular class, such as history, social studies, comparative religions or biology. For example, critical historic events such as the Crusades or the Holocaust cannot be honestly taught without reference to the role of religion. Teachers cannot teach any certain religion in a devotional sense that would promote one religion over another or one religion over non-religion.

Students may express their faith while in school. Students are free to pray, read the Bible or other religious literature, make religious comments in classes (when relevant to a subject), and even share their faith with others at school. Students never have a right to disrupt a classroom or harass other students, but they have the right to talk about their beliefs.

Religion is more alive in the United States than in any other modern industrialized nation in the world. We Americans are incredibly diverse in our religious beliefs and practices. While our religious diversity is at times uncomfortable and sometimes divisive and disruptive, our religious commitments are also the basis for our very best moral and ethical impulses.

Government or any agency of government, including public schools, must never attempt to bridle or thwart religion. The flip side of the coin is that religious people need to know and obey the rules by which the religion game is played in public schools.

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer. His e-mail address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.