1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

Public schools employing chaplains raises serious concerns about violating the constitutionally-mandated separation of church and state. Chaplains' primary role is to provide religious or pastoral counseling, which has no place in public schools. Allowing chaplains official positions, whether paid or volunteer, creates an environment ripe for religious coercion and indoctrination of students. Schools should be focused on providing a secular education accessible to students of all faiths and none. Employing chaplains blurs the line between church and state in a way that risks making some students feel like outsiders in their own schools based on their beliefs. I urge you to reject any efforts to allow chaplains in public schools in order to protect religious freedom and uphold the separation of church and state.