The Five Freedoms Project

  • user warning: Table './5f_dev/watchdog' is marked as crashed and should be repaired query: INSERT INTO watchdog (uid, type, message, severity, link, location, referer, hostname, timestamp) VALUES (0, 'ning', 'Could not obtain Ning data for YBTJ output.', 1, '', 'http://www.fivefreedoms.org/network/ybtj_sep08_1', '', '54.234.180.187', 1369245192) in /var/www/vhosts/fivefreedoms.org/httpdocs/includes/database.mysqli.inc on line 151.
  • user warning: Table './5f_dev/watchdog' is marked as crashed and should be repaired query: INSERT INTO watchdog (uid, type, message, severity, link, location, referer, hostname, timestamp) VALUES (0, 'ning', 'Could not obtain Ning data for YBTJ output.', 1, '', 'http://www.fivefreedoms.org/network/ybtj_sep08_1', '', '54.234.180.187', 1369245192) in /var/www/vhosts/fivefreedoms.org/httpdocs/includes/database.mysqli.inc on line 151.
  • user warning: Table './5f_dev/watchdog' is marked as crashed and should be repaired query: INSERT INTO watchdog (uid, type, message, severity, link, location, referer, hostname, timestamp) VALUES (0, 'ning', 'Could not obtain Ning data for YBTJ output.', 1, '', 'http://www.fivefreedoms.org/network/ybtj_sep08_1', '', '54.234.180.187', 1369245193) in /var/www/vhosts/fivefreedoms.org/httpdocs/includes/database.mysqli.inc on line 151.
  • user warning: Table './5f_dev/watchdog' is marked as crashed and should be repaired query: INSERT INTO watchdog (uid, type, message, severity, link, location, referer, hostname, timestamp) VALUES (0, 'ning', 'Could not obtain Ning data for YBTJ output.', 1, '', 'http://www.fivefreedoms.org/network/ybtj_sep08_1', '', '54.234.180.187', 1369245193) in /var/www/vhosts/fivefreedoms.org/httpdocs/includes/database.mysqli.inc on line 151.

You Be The Judge

Test your knowledge of the Five Freedoms and see how you match up to the courts...and fellow citizens.

September 1-15, 2008

Religious Clubs in Public Schools

Westside High School, a public secondary school that receives federal financial assistance, permits its students to join, on a voluntary basis, a number of recognized groups and clubs, all of which meet after school hours on school premises. One student asked to start a Christian-themed Bible club, but the school denied her request, saying that to allow such a club would violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

May students form religious clubs at public schools?

Vote Now!

  • A. NO
    The Establishment Clause prohibits public schools from officially endorsing or favoring one religion over another. To allow a Christian Club would signify preferential treatment on the part of the school, and violate the First Amendment’s mandate to “make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”
    Vote A
  • B. NO
    Public school students do not have a First Amendment right to express their religious ideas while at school. They do, however, have the right to share their faith in other non-compulsory venues.
    Vote B
  • C. YES
    A public school that allows clubs that aren’t specifically related to the curriculum must also allow religious and political clubs, as long as they are student-initiated and student-led.
    Vote C