Protecting Religious Freedom
Religious Expression in Public Schools
The Texas Freedom Network affirms the right of every child to pray voluntarily in public school and the right of students to practice their own faith in public school, free from government-sponsored prayer.
Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act (RVAA)
In 2007 the Texas Legislature updated state law dealing with student religious expression by passing H.B. 3678, also called the "Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act" (RVAA). Constitutional scholars and civil liberties groups, however, have warned that this novel -- and problematic-- approach to student religious expression jeopardizes the religious freedom of students and places schools at risk for litigation.
Prayer in Public Schools
We support the right of school districts to include a moment of silence during the school day, which would provide students with a time in which they may choose to pray, meditate or reflect. (In 2002, the Texas Freedom Network Education Fund published a report on school prayer in Texas, with relevant information on laws, court cases and statements of faith.)
TFN Resources
TFN press release on passage of RVAA
Report: Texas School Prayer Primer - Religious Freedom in Public Schools: Statements of Faith, Statutes & Case Law