God in the Classroom: Religion and America's Public Schools

by R. Murray Thomas

Overview

Many Americans may believe that religion in the schools is a controversial subject only in the United States. But around the world, the subject has gained widespread notoriety, media coverage, and attention from governing bodies, school administrations, and individuals. In Religion in Schools, R. Murray Thomas uses case examples from 12 countries, covering all regions of the world and all the major religions, to examine and answer these questions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313082573
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	01/30/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	622 KB

About the Author

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

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

Thomas looks at controversies about religion in schools as an interaction between the perspectives of the state, the church, secularists or the concerned secular public, and public schools. The controversies he profiles include Darwin, prayer and scripture reading, financial support, holidays, and sexual matters.

Reference and Research Book News

Tells the history of several current controversies, such as prayer in schools, with guidelines for educators on navigating them legally.

Education Week

Thomas attempts to show how religious interests intersect with the contemporary American public school. After a brief introduction and a chapter that details the history of religion in education, the book takes the form of a straightforward, issue by issue analysis of religion in education. The historical development of each issue (e.g., Darwinism, school prayer, release time for religious activities) is described, followed by a depiction of the current political landscape of a given issue, and an explanation of the kinds of arguments which are made about various issues. The book is well written, and comes across as an informative and straightforward approach to delineate a range of religious/educational issues. In this sense, it is a good starting point for any student or scholar who is interested in gaining a basic understanding of religion and education in America.... the text makes this survey of the role of religion in public schools very accessible to a range of readers. Recommended. All levels.

Choice Reviews

Thomas attempts to show how religious interests intersect with the contemporary American public school. After a brief introduction and a chapter that details the history of religion in education, the book takes the form of a straightforward, issue by issue analysis of religion in education. The historical development of each issue (e.g., Darwinism, school prayer, release time for religious activities) is described, followed by a depiction of the current political landscape of a given issue, and an explanation of the kinds of arguments which are made about various issues. The book is well written, and comes across as an informative and straightforward approach to delineate a range of religious/educational issues. In this sense, it is a good starting point for any student or scholar who is interested in gaining a basic understanding of religion and education in America.... the text makes this survey of the role of religion in public schools very accessible to a range of readers. Recommended. All levels.

Choice

Thomas attempts to show how religious interests intersect with the contemporary American public school. After a brief introduction and a chapter that details the history of religion in education, the book takes the form of a straightforward, issue by issue analysis of religion in education. The historical development of each issue (e.g., Darwinism, school prayer, release time for religious activities) is described, followed by a depiction of the current political landscape of a given issue, and an explanation of the kinds of arguments which are made about various issues. The book is well written, and comes across as an informative and straightforward approach to delineate a range of religious/educational issues. In this sense, it is a good starting point for any student or scholar who is interested in gaining a basic understanding of religion and education in America.... the text makes this survey of the role of religion in public schools very accessible to a range of readers. Recommended. All levels.

CHOICE