Students may be taught about religion, but public schools may not teach religion. Teaching about religious influences in art, music, literature, and social studies, as well as the history of religion, comparative religion, and scripture as literature, are all permissible public school subjects. Schools may not mandate or organize prayer at graduation, nor may they organize a religious baccalaureate ceremony. However, organizers of a privately sponsored religious baccalaureate ceremony may rent school facilities on the same terms they are rented to others. Student religious clubs are permitted to meet having the same access to space and publicity as is granted to other student clubs.
Students have every right to attempt to persuade their peers on religious topics.
School officials have a responsibility to make certain that students are not being harassed because of their religion. Unwanted, repeated invitations to attend church or other religious meetings may constitute harassment. Rev. James W. Watkins has been pastor of Old South Church, United Church of Christ, Kirtland, OH, since November of 1993. Over a 28-year ministerial career, Rev. Watkins has been pastor of six churches. In addition to his pastoral work, Rev. Watkins is an author, educator, and community activist.