Does God Belong in Public Schools?

by Kent Greenawalt

Book Overview

Controversial Supreme Court decisions have barred organized school prayer, but neither the Court nor public policy exclude religion from schools altogether. In this book, one of America's leading constitutional scholars asks what role religion ought to play in public schools. Kent Greenawalt explores many of the most divisive issues in educational debate, including teaching about the origins of life, sex education, and when--or whether--students can...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691121117
• ISBN13: 9780691121116
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 261 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Well thought out conclusions.

Columbia University law professor examines the relationship between religion and the U.S. public school system. Analyses court decisions about constitutional limits. He does a good job tackling one of the truly intractable problems encountered in applying the Constitution to public life. As the publisher mentions, under the First Amendment, the government can neither establish religion nor prohibit the free exercise of religion. How can these two rules, which tug in opposite directions, be applied coherently to government-run schools? This is what will be discussed. He considers controversies such as sex education, evolution versus creationism, Christmas celebrations, religious clubs, and alternate lifestyles, among others. He reviews the history and purpose of American education programs. Should be read by all parents and educators.