God in the Classroom Religion and America's Public Schools

by Thomas, R. Murray

• ISBN13: 9781578866991
• ISBN10: 1578866995
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-08-21
• Publisher: R&L Education

Summary

Conflicts over the proper role of religion in schools-and particularly in public schools supported by tax monies-are frequently featured in news reports. For example, in the United States there currently are conflicts over the teaching of evolution, inserting the word God in the pledge of allegiance, conducting school holiday celebrations, posting the biblical Ten Commandments in schools, and praying at school functions. People who are interested in such controversies often-or, perhaps, usually-fail to understand the historical backgrounds to the conflicts and therefore do not recognize the very complex factors that affect why the controversies become so heated. To help readers gain a better understanding of such matters, this book focuses on the seven major types of conflicts that have become particularly confrontational during the first decade of the twenty-first century. The cases on which the chapters focus concern issues that currently are being hotly debated in America. Controversies are described in relation to their historical origins and the author shows how the history affects current understanding of the issues. Thomas does not take sides in the arguments; rather, he lays out the arguments, their historical and cultural contexts, and the groups that debate them and their goals. Anyone wishing to gain a better understanding of the controversies surrounding religion in American schools will be happy to find here not just a review of the issues, but a deeper consideration of the causes, consequences, and future of the debates and the role of religion in our public schools.

Author Biography

R. Murray Thomas is professor emeritus, University of California-Santa Barbara

Table of Contents

Introduction: As Seen from Here	p. 1
Illustrative Conflicts over Religion in Schools	p. 2
State, Religion, Secular Public, and Schools	p. 9
Belief Constituencies	p. 13
Traditions and Critical Events	p. 14
Conclusion	p. 15
From Then to Now	p. 17
A Background Sketch	p. 17
Trends of the Times, 1600-2007	p. 52
Summary	p. 55
God and Darwin	p. 57
How the Controversy Developed	p. 57
Guidelines for Educators	p. 85
Curricula and Text Materials	p. 87
How the Controversy Developed	p. 88
Guidelines for Educators	p. 112
Prayer and Scripture Reading	p. 113
How the Controversy Developed	p. 114
Guidelines for Educators	p. 131
Holidays and Celebrations	p. 133
How the Controversy Developed	p. 133
Guidelines for Educators	p. 148
Financial Support	p. 151
How the Controversy Developed	p. 151
Guidelines for Educators	p. 170
The Pledge of Allegiance	p. 173
How the Controversy Developed	p. 173
Guidelines for Educators	p. 187
Released Time and Clubs	p. 189
How the Controversy Developed	p. 189
Guidelines for Educators	p. 201
Symbols and Maxims	p. 203
How the Controversy Developed	p. 204
Guidelines for Educators	p. 218
Sexual Matters	p. 219
How the Controversy Developed	p. 219
Guidelines for Educators	p. 235
State/Church/Secularists/Schools	p. 237
The State	p. 238
The Church	p. 247
The Concerned Secular Public	p. 249
The Public Schools	p. 250
Conclusion	p. 250
Notes	p. 253
References	p. 255
Name Index	p. 273
Subject Index	p. 277
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