In the next month, high school students from around the country will gather together to commemorate academic achievement at graduation. This monumental occasion should be a time for celebration and reflection. Unfortunately, some public schools have made the troubling decision to hold graduation ceremonies in religious institutions - arguing that these venues serve as an affordable and weatherproof alternative to civic centers, high school gyms and athletic fields.

For example, this June, Barrington High School will again hold its graduation ceremony at Willow Creek Community Church. While the motive for choosing this particular venue is unclear, we are deeply troubled by the potential ramifications of this decision.

Barrington High School is forcing their students to participate in a ceremony imbued with the Christian religion and its iconography, thus elevating Christianity over other faiths and non-beliefs.

Graduation is a central part of student life and students and their families should be able to attend graduation ceremonies without fear of religious coercion or exclusion. In particular, we are concerned that holding the ceremony at the church sends a message to the students that the school prefers one religion over others, and does not accept or include all students equally. In this context, students of other faiths may feel excluded and less a part of graduation, which should be a personally important and meaningful experience for all students.

Since 1913, the Anti-Defamation League has been guided by its mandate of combating bigotry, bias and discrimination, and securing the rights and liberties of all citizens in the United States. ADL believes deeply and profoundly in the importance of preserving and safeguarding freedom of religion. Consequently, we have advocated that religious activity must be kept out of public schools, and alternatively, public schools have no place in religious institutions. This position is not one of hostility toward religion; rather it reflects a profound respect for religious freedom and recognition of the extraordinary diversity of religions represented by the students in public schools.

Our individual religious freedom is extremely precious. No one should have to be subjected to inappropriate religious influence - and certainly not at a pubic school graduation ceremony. This decision ultimately compromises welcoming and celebrating religious diversity potentially causing those who will attend the public school ceremony at a place of worship to lose sight of what this day is really about.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.