does the constitution have age requirements?

Question

i ask this because my 8 year old son is being told that he is not allowed to participate, practice, or in any other way show a display of his faith on one of our religion's most important holidays.

as some have noted, the holiday is indeed halloween. or, as it is known in our faith, samhain. a notice was sent home with my son stating that they are not to have ANYTHING denoting halloween. they are not to color pictures of pumpkins, witches, or black cats. they are not to wear anything that symbolizes halloween. no parties are to be organized or held by any student on or near the school property, even though prayer circles and bible study groups are allowed on the same property.

Answer 1

The US Constitution has age requirements for voting and holding various Federal offices. The First Ammendment specifically prohibits any laws regarding religion.

Answer 2

Since your question appears to be about the first amendment I wont go in to the limits for holding public office.

No the first amendment applies to your son like it does to everyone else.

That being said, the first amendment does not provide for creating displays on government property like schools nor does it compel a private organization to allow religious displays etc.

As an example, the first amendment allows your son to believe as he wishes and to decorate his belongings with any religious images and writings he wants. He could write anything he wishes about his faith. However, he can not enter my property or the property of a store and erect a display since the property owners have a right to limit the usage of their private property. Additionally, a he can not erect a display on government property. If they do not provide permission he is trespassing. If they do, they violate the establishment clause of the first amendment as they "establish" that the display has merit over displays that are not allowed.

If you provided more detail about the specific situation I could address the issue instead of a vague question.

On schools, you don't get to cry foul if they are prohibiting decorations for all religions. The fact they allow student sponsored clubs on school property does not change the decoration issue.

I think you should encourage your son to form a student run club for his faith and request equal access to space.

Answer 3

I am not certain of the point of your question. The ages that the US Constitution mentions are 25, 30, 35 for the age of a representative, Senator, or President.

Now what this has to do with your 8 yo son and religion is beyond me.

The age of majority was (and ought to be) a function of the several states but I do not know of any state that has extended majority rights to 8 yo.

Answer 4

An 8 year old, and his guardian (parents) have rights under the constitution. The First Amendment which includes the freedom of religion clause does not have an age requirement.

Answer 5

No, the Constitution does not have age requirements. Whoever is telling your son that had better not be a part of the gov't because the Consititution's Freedom of Speech says that the gov't cannot interfere with the free practice of it.

Answer 6

In school ?

Sorry but there are limitations on practicing religion on school grounds...You can meet and discuss what is and is not allowed with the prinicple.

If it is that important to you...you could let him take the day off school to practice your faith.

btw- i'm just guessing here.... are we talking about Halloween ?

Answer 7

By whom? His school? If so, sue them on the same grounds the atheists have used for decades to get all mention of the word "God" and the name Jesus Christ out of public schools (separation of church and state).

Answer 8

yes to some extent