You have rights, but do you know what they are? The following is a list of rights that you have every day on your public school grounds. Read them and be confident, knowing that you have the RIGHT to be a witness wherever you go.
I. THE RIGHT to meet with other religious students. The Equal Access Act allows students the freedom to meet on campus for the purpose of discussing religious issues.
II. THE RIGHT to identify your religious beliefs through signs and symbols.
III. THE RIGHT to talk about your religious beliefs on campus. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right mandated in the Constitution and does not exclude the schoolyard.
IV. THE RIGHT to distribute religious literature on campus. The Equal Access Act allows students the freedom to meet on campus for the purpose of discussing religious issues.
V. THE RIGHT to pray on campus. Students may pray alone or with others so long as it does not disrupt school activities and is not forced upon others.
VI. THE RIGHT to carry or study your Bible on campus. The Supreme Court has said only state-directed Bible reading is unconstitutional.
VII. THE RIGHT to do research papers, speeches and creative projects with religious themes. The First Amendment does not forbid all mention of religion in pubic schools.
VIII. THE RIGHT to be exempt. Students may be exempt from activities and class content that contradict with their religious beliefs.
IX. THE RIGHT to celebrate or study religious holidays on campus. Music, art, literature, and drama that have religious themes are permitted as part of the curriculum for school activities if presented in an objective manner as a traditional part of the cultural and religious heritage of the particular holiday.
X. THE RIGHT to meet with school officials. The First Amendment to the Constitution forbids Congress to make any law that would respect the right of the people to petition the government [school officials].
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