Hopi Brian Honyouti's "clown" sculptures stem from his personal and political views and comment on commercialism, big business, greed, over indulgence, and irresponsible and sexual behavior. This essay explores the meaning of these carvings to Honyouti, to Hopiit, and to the buying public, as well as their relationship to "tithu," the carved…

Discusses the school library media specialist's responsibility to address students' cultural differences, including those related to religious practice and spiritual beliefs. Topics include the separation of church and state; resources that address spirituality and religion; and additional resources from ERIC. (LRW)

Examines various key positions that have been put forth in the dispute concerning religion and public schools, discussing several important rulings concerning religion and public schools, noting that religious differences pose a special challenge to the conduct of a pluralist public life, and calling for a closer examination of other perspectives…

Religion and spirituality influence people's lives and behavior. Eight major religions are briefly explained so that experiential educators can examine what they mean and draw implications for addressing spirituality in educational programs. Excerpts from new federal guidelines about religion and schools are presented to consider from a global…

This two-part anthology contains a series of background readings on church-state issues designed to provide primary materials through which North Carolinians can better understand the religion clauses of the First Amendment. Part 1 gives historical and philosophical background in four chapters: (1) "God's Country: Perception or Presumption?"; (2)…

Discusses developments in religious education in Ontario, Canada public schools over the past 20 years. Reports that public funding of Roman Catholic Schools resulted in 2 public school systems. Reviews the 1989 governmental inquiry into religious education in public schooling and the options for the relationship between government and religion.…

When problems arose among parents and religious groups over the observance of religious holidays in schools, the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) school board appointed an ad hoc study committee to investigate the issue and make recommendations. The committee represented parents and local businesses and government as well as many local churches and religious…

Courts will uphold school observances of religious holidays only if they are integrated into a secular curriculum designed to teach students about cultural traditions. The court-approved policy of the Sioux Falls (South Dakota) school board, which permits religious celebrations in a broader curricular context, is described. (TE)

Discusses "Mozert v. Hawkins County Public Schools" (Tennessee), a case involving a controversial reading textbook offending fundamentalist parents of six middle school children. The Court of Appeals reversed a district court ruling, holding that uniform use of the Holt textbook was not essential to the state's goals to teach reading.…

Proposes guidelines for acknowledging the role of religion in U.S. society, while not causing discomfort for any students. Suggests that studying about religious holidays in the public schools helps to broaden students understanding of different cultures. (DB)

The anthology focuses on some of the different ways people in the United States and others have interpreted the relation between First Amendment provisions and religious freedom. The book is organized into six chapters, each suggestive of a different framework of ideas or terms: (1) political, (2) legal, (3) comparative, (4) theological, (5)…

The growing movement for teaching about religion in the public schools, as distinguished from religious instruction or devotional exercises, reflects widespread concern regarding the phenomenon of religious illiteracy and the lack of knowledge or understanding of the significant role played by religion in U.S. life, past and present, and in world…

Support for the traditional principle of separation of church and state has eroded in recent years. Although a majority of citizens say they support church-state separation, opinion polls find they have difficulty with the issue. The report presents a summary of such church-state conflicts in 38 states. The conflicts are categorized as follows:…

Examines the development of religious education in England since the 1940s. Reports change from the confessional to a child-centered approach that is more relevant to student needs in an increasingly pluralistic society. Discusses current problems in teaching about religious issues. Argues that, despite the problems, educators have continued to…

For decades, educators have wrestled with how to handle the increasingly diverse religions of an increasingly diverse student body. Sometimes, the line between church and state--what schools can and cannot do under the Constitution--can feel confusing and slippery. Today, religion has become a subject one high school teachers describes as even…