TEACHING RELIGION

April 2000
		How should schools teach religion to students? The Freedom Forum's Charles Haynes and comparative religion teacher Jim Maechling respond to your questions.

Forum introduction Is the definition of religion changing? Are non-believers included in the new curriculum? Are astrology and Scientology taught as religions? Should kids learn about things like yoga and meditation? Can't religion be incorporated into other subjects?     Feb. 11, 2000: A report on the fight to post the 10 Commandments in public schools. Jun. 4, 1998 One of the nation's leading teachers of religion, Martin Marty Dec. 25, 1995 What place religion has in the lives of Americans? Browse the NewsHour's coverage of religion and education   The U.S. Department of Education.

Craig Schwanke of Herndon, VA asks: If civic values and morals and religion have to be taught in public schools, why not teach about morals in either history/social studies classes or as a part of a literature class? Wouldn't that help remove the possibility teachers could insert their own beliefs into their lessons?   Charles Haynes responds: One of the most significant areas of "common ground" for many Americans is the desire to have strong character education in the public schools. Three is growing recognition across the religious and political spectrum that character education in schools must be an essential component of the effort to develop civic virtue and moral character in our nation's youth. But character education in public schools is not teaching about religion. We need both. In public schools, where teachers may neither promote nor denigrate religion, the core moral values (e.g., honesty, respect, caring) widely agreed to in the community may be taught if done so without religious indoctrination. At the same time, core values should not be taught in such a way as to suggest that religious authority is unnecessary or unimportant. Sound character education programs affirm the value of religious and philosophical commitments and avoid any suggestion that morality is simply a matter of individual choice without reference to absolute truth. Teaching about religion is the academic study of religion, where appropriate, in history, literature and other courses. Teachers must be prepared to do this properly so that they do not insert their own views. We ask teachers as professionals to teach about many topics and issues fairly and objectively (e.g., politics). Teaching about religion fairly and academically is challenging. But with good resources and proper training, it can be done. I have worked with thousands of teachers over the past decade, helping them to learn how to teach about religion. In my experience, the vast majority of teachers are willing and able to get it right. The problems we have in public schools are when there is no training or there are poor resources. We don't have a choice. Character education must be central to the mission of our public schools - for the sake of our youth and for our nation. The Character Education Partnership in Washington, D.C. provides excellent resources for helping schools to develop and sustain strong character education programs. (www.character.org) We also don't have much choice concerning teaching about religion. How can we teach history, literature, art, or music properly without including study about religion? The question isn't "should we teach about religion or not?" The question is "how should we do it?" Fortunately, there are now many good resources to help teachers teach about religion under the guidelines of the First Amendment.   Jim Maechling responds: Morals, ethical values, and religion are taught indirectly in some form across the entire curriculum of most schools. Literature and social studies are particularly appropriate areas because human behavior is analyzed in either fictional or non-fictional terms. In my world history classes next week, actual survivors of the Holocaust will be sharing their tragic experiences in the Nazi camps. It is impossible to read or hear oral history such as this without forming powerful moral judgements. The danger that some teachers will abuse their professional position by inserting their own beliefs in to lessons is always there. Sometimes this can be a delicate line that every teacher must face. For example, should a Government teacher reveal whether he's a Democrat or a Republican? The First Amendment Center's recent publication, A Teacher's Guide to Religion in the Public Schools prepares teachers: "How do I respond if students ask about my religious beliefs?" It says that there may be different responses depending on the classroom situation and the maturity of the students. The main point is that teachers "…may not turn the question into an opportunity to proselytize for or against religion." To me, it ultimately comes down to issues of personal integrity and common sense.