Religion in the public school curriculum

[Charles Haynes]

In response to David Austin's school board hypo:

In my opinion, science teachers should teach the controversy.  Yes, the
prevailing view in the scientific community must be taught.  But students
should be alerted to the fact that there are disputes among scientists about
how to interpret the data.  I would go further: students should also know
that there are religious ways of seeing the world that may conflict with the
prevailing view in science.  Teaching about various ways of understanding
the universe is not only constitutional, it is essential for any curriculum
that claims to offer a "liberal education."  An in-depth discussion of
religious alternatives belongs in the social studies (either in history or
in an elective).  But science teachers ought to give some attention to
history of science and philosophy of science -- incuding the relationship of
science and religion -- where possible.

Concerning public school indoctrination:
The Supreme Court has made it clear that public schools have permission to
teach about religions without violating the Establishment clause.  What is
unclear is when and if silence about religion(s) would violate the
"neutrality" required by the EC.  Is it really fair and neutral for students
to learn science, history, literature etc. without learning at least some of
the major religious ways of thinking in each of those disciplines?

Even if leaving religion out (almost entirely) of the public school
curriculum does not violate the First Amendment, it is bad for education.

Charles Haynes
First Amendment Center