In response to recent controversy surrounding the relationship between religion and public education, this bulletin offers an examination of past and present conflicts and the legal status of each. A great diversity of religious beliefs is part of our national heritage. Conflicts resulting from differing views on the role of religion in education may best be dealt with when policies and procedures addressing such differences exist. Issues to consider include religious rituals, bible reading and prayers, observance of holy days, instructional activities, and curriculum content. Court decisions have distinguished between teaching a religion and teaching about religious matters. Moral and sex education may also be taught, though schools tend to avoid controversial content. One way districts have dealt with the separation of church and school is through the use of released time that allows students to attend religious classes. Another way is shared time between church-related and public schools. Decisions concerning the use of public school buses for parochial school students and the loaning of books to parochial schools have been conflicting. Current issues to be aware of include the rise of cults, the undecided fate of voucher systems, and the inclusion of the creation theory in the curriculum. An appendix of legal decisions and a bibliography are provided. (JK)