J. Mark Alcorn was a high school and college level history teacher in Holdingford School District in Minnesota for 33 years before retiring in 2019.

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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.

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.