Never say die. That must be the motto of politicians, religious leaders and school leaders who keep pushing for state-sponsored prayers in public schools more than 50 years after the Supreme Court struck down the practice as a violation of the Establishment clause of the First Amendment.

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No quick fix — diplomatic or military — will dissolve the centuries of distrust and rivalry that fuel the sectarian conflict in Syria, where Alawites and Shiites are pitted against Sunnis, with Christians caught in the crossfire.

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Students with deep religious convictions are fast turning public schools into the newest battleground over abortion — much to the dismay of beleaguered school officials.

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Students are free to pray in public schools — except when they aren’t.

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Prayers delivered at presidential inaugurations are rarely quoted and quickly forgotten, at least in the earthly realm.

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Millions of kids are returning to school, and, contrary to culture-war rhetoric, most of them won’t leave their faith at the schoolhouse door.

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Church ministries have been feeding homeless people in Philadelphia’s public parks for decades – not as a charitable gesture but as an act of faith.

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Remember all the media chatter during the primaries about how the “Mormon factor” could undermine Mitt Romney’s candidacy? Forget about it. American voters, it turns out, are mostly unconcerned about Romney’s religious affiliation or have no idea what it is. ...

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Louisiana State Rep. Valarie Hodges used to be a big fan of school vouchers. “I liked the idea,” she explained, “of giving parents the option of sending their children to a public school or a Christian school.”

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If 20 Republican lawmakers in Missouri have their way, it will soon be illegal for administrators, teachers and even students to talk about homosexuality in the state’s public schools. Derided as the “don’t say gay” bill by opponents, HB 2051 ...

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