Fights over whether clergy should be able to counsel public school students have flared up in recent months in Texas and Oregon. Several states have considered proposals to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. And a federal case in New York concerns whether donors to a school project can mention Jesus in the personal messages being stamped onto ceremonial bricks. Meanwhile, conservatives angered by last year's ruling against school-sponsored invocations at football games continue to encourage students to pray on their own at school sporting events. They're interested in reaching the kids.
Religious advocates say schools have overreacted to rulings that have limited religion in schools.
They also say free-speech rights have been stifled. The battle for equal access never seems to end. Other surveys have indicated that most people believe U.S. schools aren't providing students with enough of a moral compass. Most wanted schools to allow prayer in classrooms and at graduation, and to permit student religious groups to use schools during after-school hours. Such results have emboldened conservatives pushing for more religion in schools, as has the election of President Bush, who as Texas governor supported prayer at school football games.