RUNNING HEAD: Religion In Schools

Religion In Schools

Isabella Henkel

College of Southern Nevada

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A kindergarten teacher named Karen White was told to leave her job because of her

refusal to celebrate and teach certain holidays such as Christmas due to her own religious

orientation. She claims that she is unable to sing Happy Birthday, let students pledge allegiance

to the flag, and could not decorate the classroom. Is the principal of White’s school allowed to

fire her over this by claiming she’s not properly managing her student’s needs, or is this a

violation of her right to practice religion?

Reynolds v. United States, 98 U.S. 145 is a similar case where George Reynolds was

charged for practicing polygamy by marrying two different women, named Amelia Jane

Schofield and Mary Ann Tuddenham. In the territory of Utah at the time, there was a law put in

place against polygamy and only supported marriages between two people and two people only.

This law was challenged for restricting Reynolds’ rights to practice his religion and he argued it

impeded on his rights through the First Amendment, but the court decided that though he was

allowed legally to hold a belief in a religion, certain religious practices were not covered, and the

law set in place had been put in place for a long time. This relates to Karen White’s situation and

how it is seen fair to fire her for her decision, as it follows the same line of reasoning that she is

allowed to hold belief in her religion, but the law could not cover her regarding certain religious

practices, especially if they are seen as illegal or criminal acts.

Cantwell v. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296 (1940) is a case where Newton Cantwell and his

sons were charged for preaching door to door without a certificate for soliciting donations, as

they were advertising and asking for funds relating to their religion. This could have a hand in

the school being able to justifiably fire Karen White, as she could be capable of enforcing her

religion on her students in her classroom, whether or not she solicits donations. This in turn
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could also violate a part of the constitution where she forces her religious beliefs onto other

students which would hold no educational value.

Stone v. Graham, 449 U.S. 39 stated that in Kentucky, it was seen as unconstitutional and

violated the First Amendment to make it mandatory for public schools to keep copies of the ten

commandments in each classroom in the state. This was because this had no non-religious

purpose, and the Bible was not a part of their school curriculum. This could be a case to look at

in Karen White’s favor, as being forced to put up decorations for religious holidays could hold

no non-religious value and be seen as unconstitutional. Therefore, she has a right to not have to

decorate the classroom during religious holidays, especially those for holidays that her religion

does not practice.

Abington School District v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 is a case where Edward Schempp

had claimed a school was practicing unconstitutional practices by forcing his children to read

parts of the bible as required by their education. The court decided that this was in fact

unconstitutional as students were forced, even when later given the option to be excluded with

parental permission, to partake in religious activities they may not be affiliated with. This is a

case that can also help Karen White argue against being fired for practicing her religious beliefs,

as being forced to take part in religious practices that don’t line up with her own religion can be

seen as unconstitutional, especially in a classroom setting where these practices hold no learning

merit.

After looking into several similar cases, I’ve come to the conclusion that Karen White

should be fired for her actions within the classroom. Though she is practicing her own religion

freely, forcing her religion onto her other students regardless of their religious background is

seen as unconstitutional, and the classroom is meant to be a place where all religions are meant
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to be represented and accepted equally. Excluding certain religious practices that don’t line up

with her own can exclude students that do partake in those religious holidays and is therefore

denying their rights through the First Amendment.

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References

Reynolds v. United States, 98 U.S. 145 (1878)

Cantwell v. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296 (1940)

Stone v. Graham, 449 U.S. 39 (1980)

Abington School District v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963)