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You are here: Experts > Arts/Humanities > Political Science > 1st Amendment and Free Speech > freedom of religion in school
Expert: Ed Buckner
Date: 11/5/2007
Subject: freedom of religion in school
Question
My 14 year old was asked to write a book report on any historic book either fiction or non fiction. She was told by her teacher that she could not write a report on a book of the Bible.I believe this is a violation of her constitutional rights.
Answer
Ms. Greely,
I'd have to have more information before I could possibly know if you're right--but I'd guess you are not. Separation of church and state--vital to protecting the religious liberty of everyone--would prevent the teacher from drawing any conclusions about your daughter's opinion of the Bible--or any other book considered sacred. The teacher would therefore be quite wise, in my opinion, to ask students to report on books other than books considered sacred by many. The teacher is not, in any case, required to accept a student's interpretation of a reasonable assignment, and it is the teacher's responsibility to make appropriate assignments.
If the teacher ridiculed your daughter's religious opinion--told her that the Bible is nonfiction when your daughter insisted it is fiction or vice versa, for example, that might be a violation of your daughter's rights.
Perhaps you should visit the nearest office of the ACLU, with all the details, if you want a more definitive answer.
Regards,
Ed Buckner
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