rationalskepticism.org

SkyMutt wrote:

Wortfish wrote:

SkyMutt wrote:All publicly funded schools in the US are subject to the Constitution of the United States (including the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment), contrary to the false assertion made by W. fish above (see "Knowing the Equal Protection Clause" | Laws.com).

The 1st amendment merely states that the United States won't have an official religion. It also guarantees freedom of speech, such as in the classroom. It does not ban the discussion of ideas pertaining to religion or non-religion.

You are correct that discussion of religion is perfectly acceptable in those schools. There is of course a difference between promoting religion and discussion of religion. Teaching Creationism is teaching religious dogma. By the law of the land, publicly funded schools are not allowed to promote religious dogma to their students.

The 1st Amendment does more than prevent an establishment of religion (state-sponsored religion). It prevents any laws respecting such an establishment, for instance a state law decreeing that Creationism will be taught in public schools. Through the 14th Amendment, the rights and protections enumerated in the US Constitution and its amendments are held by all citizens of the country; states may not legislate those rights and protections away. This includes the 1st Amendment's protection from established religion. You asserted that "The constitution only prohibits the establishment of religion or non-religion by the national government, as is the case in the UK. It says nothing about what schools at the state level can teach." You were incorrect.