Policy 605-R Teaching about Religion and Religious Beliefs Non-Beliefs Regulations

Teaching about religion must be clearly distinguished from teaching religion, which amounts to religious indoctrination and practice and is clearly prohibited in public schools. Religion may be presented as part of a secular educational program, with the goal of teaching students about the role of
religion in the historical, cultural, economic, and social development of the United States and other nations. This approach seeks to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect for religious diversity. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that the study and sharing about religious materials, customs, beliefs and non-beliefs, and holidays in the school district are in keeping with the following guidelines:

1. The proposed activity must have a secular purpose.

2. The primary objective of the activity must be one that neither advances nor inhibits religion or religious beliefs or non-beliefs.

3. The activity must not foster excessive governmental relationships with religion, religious beliefs or non-beliefs.

4. Notwithstanding the foregoing guidelines, reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate any student who wishes to be excused from attendance at school for the purpose of religious instruction or observance of religious holidays.

5. The superintendent is granted authority to develop and present for School Board review and approval directives and guidelines for the purpose of providing further guidance relative to the teaching of materials related to religion, religious beliefs or non-beliefs.

6. The following guidelines are offered as they relate to various aspects of school activity associated with religious belief, non-belief, or practice:

Musical programs prepared or presented under school auspices should be planned with sensitivity to the views of all members of the community. Such programs should not be religious or religious-holiday oriented. Schools may include selections of religious music, both choral and instrumental, provided they are presented in a broad concert or program setting that is not religiously oriented, such as a program that includes religious and non-religious holiday music from various cultures and religions. Religious selections should not constitute a majority of the concert. For these purposes, religious selections, especially choral selections, are defined as having religious or religion-oriented texts, but which are used for their musical value and not because of the meaning or inference of the words used in the selections.

Art and drama having theological themes should only be offered where their historical or cultural character predominates and where students are likely to develop a sense of the diversity of religious views as a consequence.

Teaching about religion in relation to its historical, literary, or sociological significance is encouraged when this stems logically from the curriculum under study. Teachers should take care to be objective and evenhanded in such treatment, stressing as appropriate the religiously pluralistic character of contemporary society and the neutral stance of public education in such matters.

While theologically based beliefs should be treated with respect, their existence ought not inhibit instruction in scientific interpretations of given topics as set forth in the adopted curriculum.

A religious symbol is any object that portrays or recognizes the existence of a supreme-being or deity, or any object that is so closely associated with religion or religions or with the celebration of a religious holiday that it is looked upon by a segment of the population as being of a religious nature. Religious symbols are sacred to particular faiths. Religious symbols such as crosses, menorahs, and crescents should only be displayed in the classroom for historical or cultural interpretive purposes and then only for a limited period. Religious symbols may be used as teaching aids in the academic study about religions. Religious symbols should not be displayed in offices, reception areas, or other public spaces where the display is not linked to the academic study about religions.

Celebrations should be in keeping with the following:

1. of secular purpose;
2. do not advance or inhibit religion;
3. do not foster excessive school relationships with religion.

Allow students to be excused from attendance at school for the purpose of religious instruction or observance of religious holidays, at student and/or parent request.

School employees should not employ prayer, scriptural readings, or other religious publications in devotional exercises or acts of worship or as a part of the curriculum, co-curriculum, or school sponsored activities.

Schools shall not permit the advertising of religious activities or the distribution of religious literature except as outlined:

1. in District Policy 514, Limited Open Forum;
2. in District Policy 525, Solicitation of Students (Organizational Membership);
3. in District Policy 910 Distribution/Posting of Promotional Literature;
4. and/or when directly related to the academic study about religions.

• Adopted: July 14, 1986
• Amended: August 16, 2004
• Amended: April 9, 2007
• Amended: January 12, 2015
• Last Reviewed: March 12, 2018

• Policy 605 - Teaching about Religion and Religious Beliefs, Non-Beliefs