Linda Wertheimer

I think I was reading this at the wrong time in American history. The discussions on problems within American society around the subject of religion and the human condition made me downright angry such that I had to put the book down many times and walk away from it. The words in the title: "in an Age of Intolerance", were particularly appropriate during this election cycle (2016) but, on thinking back through my readings on the US Presidents, it has been thus on many occasions.
I have finally gotten through the book and am encouraged by the concluding two chapters which discuss the practice of teaching young Americans the facts of religious participation in society at schools in Modesto, California. Perhaps California really is a different country from a collective of the remaining states.… (more)

Well-meaning, but ultimately doesn't accomplish its goals. Instead of investigating one case in depth, the book hopscotches from one controversy to another, and doesn't spend enough time anywhere to go beyond teachers trying to educate vs. overanxious parents and paranoid critics. Also, "Faith Ed" only sporadically goes into the broader history of teaching religion in the public schools, a context that I would've found helpful. My final issue concerns the author herself. She clearly wants her own son to grow up with a knowledge of different religions, but it appears she wants schools to do that for her, instead of reading up on them herself and passing on what she learned. As with so many other things, education on values and tolerance start at home.… (more)

A series of case studies advocating for the teaching of world religions in schools at the primary and secondary level. Posits that more knowledge about all religions can make people more tolerant, less likely to bully, and provide basis for forming more meaningful dialog and relationships. The recommended approach is purely factual, and integrated into geography and history as a cultural-awareness curriculum. Issues addressed are how much 'participation' is acceptable, who are appropriate teachers/speakers (e.g. is it better for the classroom teacher to neutrally instruct, even in faiths not their own, or is it better to have 'experts' from that faith community do the instruction), and what ages are appropriate.… (more)