More on religious studies in the public schools

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clark and Goldberg wrote in their decision concerning the academic study of religion in public schools, "one's education is not complete without a study of comparative religion or the history of religion and its relationship to the advancement of civilization." Part of the liberal arts, religious studies employs critical analysis and methods from a variety of disciplines to understand religious traditions as well as to question the dogmas, stereotypes and prejudices that may surround those traditions. In addition to investigating religious symbols, texts, practices, and belief systems, the study of religion examines the relationship of religion to ethics, contemporary social issues, politics, history, psychology, science, literature, and the arts."

This approach has been adopted by public higher education institutions, but at not at the secondary school level. I continue to wonder why religious liberals adopt a defensive stance relative to the religious right's attempts to teach a sectarian form of religion in the schools. I believe that advocating the teaching the Bible, religious history and theories of creation from an academic and non sectarian point of view would be a more effective response.