School District Shapes Religious Policy

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jul 8, 2009 at 12:48 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 8, 2009 at 12:48 PM CST

SPENCER (AP) - Spencer public school officials are proposing a policy that will allow students to study the Bible and pray during graduation ceremonies.

The proposal, if adopted, will have schools offer elective classes that permit arguments against evolution and discussions on the Bible in history and literature. School officials say they want to set clear rules for religious expression.

According to Spencer Superintendent Greg Ebeling, most public school educators who fear lawsuits go too far to exclude religion from schools.

Opponents have expressed concerns the policy could pave the way to school-sponsored evangelizing.

However, American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa head Ben Stone says the U.S. Constitution protects students' right to pray on their own or learn about religion in school.

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