Teaching about religion is especially critical to multicultural education.
In 1988, a broad coalition of 17 religious and educational organizations published guidelines that distinguish between teaching about religion and religious indoctrination. The guidelines state, in part:
- The school's approach to religion is academic, not devotional.
- The school sponsors study about religion, not the practice of religion.
- The school educates about all religions; it does not promote or denigrate any religion nor does it press for student acceptance of any one religion.
In addition to these religious-liberty clauses, there are also three guiding principles that Charles Haynes calls the civic values at the heart of American citizenship. They are:
RIGHTS: The rights guaranteed by the Constitution are for citizens of all faiths and none.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Religious liberty depends upon a universal responsibility to respect that right or religious liberty for others.
RESPECT: Living with our differences, including religious difference, in a democracy requires a strong commitment to the civic values that enable people with diverse perspectives to treat each other with respect and civility.
When we teach about the many cultures and religions of our nation and the world, we must also simultaneously emphasize our common ground which is the values and responsibilities we share as American citizens.
Reference
Haynes, C. C. (2007). To advance religious freedom, teach about religion. Retrieved from the World Wide web http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/commentary.aspx?id=19421 on December 17, 2007.
