Centennial's First Amendment lesson

The Champaign County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union applauds the Unit 4 school district for clarifying the appropriate manner for accommodating the desire of a handful of students to observe an Ash Wednesday ritual within the school, without intruding on the religious liberty of those students who did not wish to participate in that service.

If students themselves had invited the priest and requested use of space for an Ash Wednesday service prior to the choir departing early that morning for a long-scheduled trip, and if the students interested in the service had met in a room separate from where the other members were gathered, there would have been little controversy.

Courts have held that if a public school opens its room for student groups (clubs, affiliated organizations or academic groups) to meet, then students have a right to use that space for religious observances of their choice.

Students also have the right to refrain from participating in any religious observance at school without separating themselves from other students.

It is important that whenever public school spaces are used for religious activities, school staff cannot initiate or organize the arrangements. Extracurricular religious activities in public school spaces may, however, be initiated and organized by students as long as other students do not experience any pressure or obligation to participate.

The school district's inquiry had a good outcome. The entire community was educated about the true meaning of the First Amendment protection against government "respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

CAROL SPINDEL

President

Champaign County ACLU

Urbana

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Centennial's First Amendment lesson