This is why Westboro Baptist Church is a joke

[Jester]

The law is not constitutional, but the tradition of presidents calling for days of remembrance, going back to George Washington, would be an expression, rather than an edict or law.

So, then, if you agree the law is unconstitutional, why do you have a problem with a group of atheists taking the case up, claiming exactly that?

And, similarly, a school official, or a student assembly asking for "a moment of silent reflection or prayer" is all inclusive. In government settings, contemporaneous expression would be allowable, but putting it on the agenda would not.

Surely "a moment of silent reflection" is more than enough? You can do whatever you like - adding prayer to the list is just pointlessly testing the boundaries. Or, more likely in many jurisdictions, making it clear (*wink wink*) that this is really supposed to be a Christian thing.

I think we'd agree that the crucial part would be to set guidelines that eliminate hidden agenda's. Neither of us want the teacher in the classroom who's purpose is not teaching the curriculum, but rather promoting any other social or political agenda.

I'm concerned primarily with the teaching of science, secondarily with the constitutionality of the government endorsing religion, and last, with the elimination of "agenda," whatever that's supposed to mean in biology class.

Yet, according to what I wrote above, that person would have every right of free expression. Schools need the authority to hire teachers who deliver knowledge and inspire scholarship, and fire teachers who distract the classroom from its intended curriculum whether that be for social activism or as a pulpit.

"Social activism" might be unwanted, but it's not unconstitutional. Religious teaching is unconstitutional. These are two different issues. Especially so, since schools have a positive mandate to teach children civic responsibility - shaping the next generation of citizens is one of the functions of schooling. It is also constitutionally permitted.

However, again, the odd contemporaneous expression of belief is understandable in that students and teachers spend a great deal of time together during the school day.

I'm not sure what you mean by this, but no, I'm pretty sure there is no "whoopsie daisy" exception to the separation of church and state. Trivial accidents are irrelevant, but bringing your personal religious beliefs into your role as teacher is not.

I thought about how I would attempt to teach the curriculum of evolutionary biology in a manner that would be respectful to the diversity of the group.

Sounds easy. Step one: Teach evolutionary biology. Step two... there is no step two. Why not? Well, as you say...

In the end, the truth and scientific fact stand on their own merits. However these families want to spin that within their cultural context and belief systems is their own concern.

Their business. Not school business.

-Jester