Hana M. Ryman is a middle school humanities educator in Orlando, Florida.
More Articles from this Author
Discrimination by Religious Organizations
The Supreme Court has allowed certain types of discrimination by religious organizations based on the freedom of association rooted in the First Amendment.
Establishment Clause: Separation of Church and State
Though not explicitly stated in the First Amendment, the establishment clause is often interpreted to mean that the Constitution requires the separation of church and state.
Flag Desecration
Flag desecration is one of the most polarizing First Amendment issues. The Court has handed down decisions on flag desecration, holding it to be protected expression.
Jones v. City of Opelika (1942, 1943)
The two Jones v. City of Opelika (1942, 1943) cases, dealing with licenses for religious booksellers, raised important First Amendment issues regarding free exercise of religion.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Supreme Court has ruled that compelling schoolchildren to recite the Pledge of Allegiance violates the First Amendment. The Court has not struck "under God" from the pledge.
Prayer in Public Schools
Prayer at public school events can involve three clauses of the First Amendment: the establishment, the free exercise, and the free speech.
Quakers
Quakers were early advocates of religious freedom and have been at the forefront in protecting and ensuring First Amendment religious liberty rights and other civil liberties.
Released Time
Released time programs allow schoolchildren to use school hours for religious instruction. Programs in which students are coerced into attending violate the First Amendment.
Religious Holidays
The recognition and celebration of religious holidays by government can run counter to the First Amendment prohibition of government endorsing a particular religion.
School Violence
Since school violence has become a national issue, courts have had to determine whether student speech is a 'true threat' or protected by the First Amendment.