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Full-Text Articles in Law
Transcript Of Speech On American Atheists' Position On Religion In The Public Schools, Ellen Johnson
Transcript Of Speech On American Atheists' Position On Religion In The Public Schools, Ellen Johnson
William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal
Religious discussion in American public schools is one of the more controversial issues in modern education. Ellen Johnson not only explains the American Atheists 'position on the issue, but also presents observations from the often-ignored Atheist perspective. Johnson's remarks serve to remind us that there are other views on the subject besides the popular opinions concerning accommodation and access to school facilities.
Religion, Rationality, And Special Treatment, Jane Rutherford
Religion, Rationality, And Special Treatment, Jane Rutherford
William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal
Religion has always played a major role in American society, both politically and socially. Its influence on the Constitution is expressed in the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses. Why is religion given special treatment by the Constitution? In this Article, Professor Jane Rutherford makes a structural argument for religious liberty. Rutherford posits that religion is treated differently not because of the content of its views, but because of the various other functions it serves, such as providing voices for outsiders and advancing non-market values. Rutherford concludes that we should return to more serious enforcement of the Establishment and Free Exercise …
Who Speaks For The State?: Religious Speakers On Government Platforms And The Role Of Disclaiming Endorsement, Steven H. Aden
Who Speaks For The State?: Religious Speakers On Government Platforms And The Role Of Disclaiming Endorsement, Steven H. Aden
William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal
The recent Supreme Court decision in Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe prohibits prayer at school-sponsored events. In this Article the author analyzes the development of Supreme Court jurisprudence in the area of religion in public schools. Noting the tension between the Establishment and Free Speech Clauses, the author proposes the use of disclaimers to allow student expression at school events to avoid violating the Establishment Clause.
Religion In The Public Schools After Santa Fe Independent School District V. Doe: Time For A New Strategy, Steven W. Fitschen
Religion In The Public Schools After Santa Fe Independent School District V. Doe: Time For A New Strategy, Steven W. Fitschen
William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal
In this Essay, Steven Fitschen, President of the National Legal Foundation, argues against the Supreme Court's ruling in Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, and calls for a new strategy in litigating similar cases. Fitschen proposes a "thirty-year plan" because he believes that the current Court composition, which he sees as driven by personal predilections rather than by precedent, was partly responsible for the outcome of Santa Fe. Fitschen argues that the current Court has largely ignored Establishment Clause precedent, and that any new, effective strategy will be slowly implemented The thirty-year plan calls for less perfunctory reliance on …