PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — Michigan atheists are protesting a public school initiative that promotes religious diversity by bringing students, teachers and administrators to houses of worship for talks by clergy.

Arlene Marie, president of Michigan Atheists, said the program violated the constitutional separation of church and state. Her organization plans a campaign opposing the Oakland County program, called the Religious Diversity Initiative.

"There is no room in public schools for religion," Marie said. "It's as simple as that. It's the law."

School leaders argue that teaching world religions in public schools is constitutional if it's done in a nonbiased, nonpromotional way.

View Comments

Al Roberts, superintendent of the Clarkston school district, said the program builds on a state-mandated curriculum introducing seventh-graders to world religions. Jewish, Roman Catholic, Chaldean Catholic, Hindu and Muslim leaders make the presentations.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.