1. Religious Literacy and the Public Schools Past, Present, & Future

2. Religious Literacy Quiz 1. Name the four Gospels. List as many as you can. 2. Name a sacred text of Hinduism. 3. What is the name of the holy book of Islam? 4. Where according to the Bible was Jesus born? 5. President George W. Bush spoke in his first inaugural address of the Jericho road. What Bible story was he invoking? 6. What are the first five books of the Hebrew Bible or the Christian Old Testament? 7. What is the Golden Rule? 8. "God helps those who help themselves": Is this in the Bible? If so, where? 9. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God": Does this appear in the Bible? If so, where? 10. Name the Ten Commandments. List as many as you can. 11. Name the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism. 12. What are the seven sacraments of Catholicism? List as many as you can. 13. The First Amendment says two things about religion, each in its own "clause." What are the two religious clauses of the First Amendment? 14. What is Ramadan? In what religion is it celebrated?

3. Religious Literacy Quiz Answers 1. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (1 point each) 2. Can include the Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads, Puranas, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Yoga Sutras, Laws of Manu, Kama Sutra (1 point) 3. Quran (1 point) 4. Bethlehem (1 point) 5. The Good Samaritan (1 point) 6. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy (1 point each) 7. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (Matthew 7:12) or a similar sentiment from Rabbi Hillel or Confucius. ("Love your neighbor as yourself" is not the Golden Rule.) (1 point) 8. No, this is not in the Bible. In fact, it is contradicted in Proverbs 28:26: "He who trusts in himself is a fool." The words are Ben Franklin's. (2 points) 9. Yes, in the Beatitudes of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3) (2 points) 10. The Protestant, Catholic and Jewish versions of the Ten Commandments differ. 11. 1. Life is suffering, 2. Suffering has an origin, 3. Suffering can be overcome (nirvana), 4. The path to overcoming suffering is the Noble Eightfold Plan. 12. Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick 13. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” 14. Muslim holiday characterized by a month of fasting

4. The Past First Amendment rights First Amendment rights Religious views informed the public debate on major issues: Religious views informed the public debate on major issues: Abolition Abolition Temperance Temperance Women’s rights Women’s rights Civil rights Civil rights

5. The Present Separation of Church and State doctrine dominates decision making Separation of Church and State doctrine dominates decision making Major public issues with religious viewpoints: Major public issues with religious viewpoints: Abortion Abortion Birth control Birth control Capital punishment Capital punishment Gay marriage Gay marriage Global warming Global warming Intelligent design Intelligent design Military/Foreign policy Military/Foreign policy Welfare policy Welfare policy

6. The Future Calls for Education Reform Calls for Education Reform Ethics/Values Education Ethics/Values Education Religious Literacy of major world religions Religious Literacy of major world religions

7. Literacy of World Religions Pre-9/11 apathy, general ignorance, limited understanding Pre-9/11 apathy, general ignorance, limited understanding World religion as subject matter World religion as subject matter Teaching religion Teaching religion Teaching about religion Teaching about religion Social Studies curriculum Social Studies curriculum Religion in world history Religion in world history

8. Ethics and Values in Education Philosophical origins of Western education Philosophical origins of Western education Socrates, Aristotle, Aquinas Socrates, Aristotle, Aquinas Historical church schools – morality, values education Historical church schools – morality, values education After Virtue (1981) by Alasdair MacIntyre book proposes an Aristotelian account of practice and virtue After Virtue (1981) by Alasdair MacIntyre book proposes an Aristotelian account of practice and virtue “Moral education in the practice of shared virtues can itself be a viable practice in our plural society.” Katsushige Katayama “Moral education in the practice of shared virtues can itself be a viable practice in our plural society.” Katsushige Katayama

9. Questions for Discussion Do we need to add world religions literacy to social studies curricula? Do we need to add world religions literacy to social studies curricula? Do we need to add moral values education to curricula? Do we need to add moral values education to curricula? How will you personally live your beliefs while serving as a professional public educator? How will you personally live your beliefs while serving as a professional public educator?