THE QUESTION:<\/p>\n
Can students pray in U.S. public schools?<\/p>\n
THE RELIGION GUY\u2019S ANSWER:<\/p>\n
The Trump Administration\u2019s education and justice departments, after work with government attorneys, issued policy guidance to public schools January 16 on this emotional-laden and oft-misunderstood issue. The answer is well settled in American law and agreed upon by a very wide range of religious and public education organizations.<\/p>\n
Yes, depending.<\/p>\n
Yes, if a student initiates prayer and does not disrupt classes. Students also enjoy other religious rights on an equal basis with non-religious activities, as surveyed below. But the answer is no if public school systems, administrators or teachers authorize prayers in an official capacity. Federal court edicts say that violates the Constitution\u2019s ban on government \u201cestablishment of religion.\u201d (Private schools, of course, can do whatever they want about religion.)<\/p>\n