Gerald A. Larue, Emeritus Professor of Biblical History and Archaeology,
explores how to define religion. What does the word
"religion" mean, and what is religion and what is nonreligion?
ERIC Digest by C.F. Risinger on religion in the public school,
importance, instructional strategies, civic education, and references.
Professor Gerald Larue presents the history surrounding the founding of our nation
and the development of the concept of the separation of church and state.
Albert J. Menendez and Edd Doerr reason that schools would be better to hang
back on their teaching about religion unless they can do it right (with
safeguards for objectivity and balance, and without bias).
ERIC Digest by Joan T. England on pluralism education, its meaning and
method.
ERIC Digest by Kay K. Cook on controversial issues and the concerns for
policy makers.
ERIC Digest by Joe Wittmer on Valuing Diversity in the Schools: The
Counselor's Role
Charles Haynes, the First Amendment Center's senior scholar, in his column
"Inside
the First Amendment" reminds Americans that the amendment protects the
liberty of conscience (religious liberty) of everyone — people of
varied faiths and people who profess no religious faith.
This essay by Geisert and Futrell looks in depth at two words (secular,
nonreligious) that in the school context are not interchangeable. Public educators have to
be precise on terminology because the laws are attempting to protect
youngsters' individual civil liberties, most particularly their freedom of
conscience.
This 21-page booklet provides rationale for why educators should contemplate
a full spectrum of worldviews (religious and nonreligious) when teaching about
religion. It offers information on societal biases, guidelines for teaching
impartially, suggestions for gaining comfort with nonbelief, bibliographic
resources, and so on.
