Can Bible clubs meet on school property and can public school teachers participate as sponsors of such clubs?
Students wishing to study the Bible, of course, have the right to meet, after school, on school property, and conduct their activities just as other non-curricular groups are entitled to do. Board of Educ. v. Mergens, 496 U.S. 226 (1990). Students wishing to study the Bible, of course, have the right to meet, after school, on school property, and conduct their activities just as other non-curricular groups are entitled to do. , 496 U.S. 226 (1990). Also, it is our opinion that participation by a teacher in a Bible study conducted by students does not violate the establishment clause. The school should communicate to the students, of course, that the views expressed by the teacher are his or her own private views and not the views of the school. It might also be advisable if the teacher echoes that sentiment, in order to minimize the chance of confusion of the teacher’s official capacity with his or her private capacity.
